{"id":11834,"date":"2017-02-18T10:44:32","date_gmt":"2017-02-18T16:44:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/?post_type=program&#038;p=11834"},"modified":"2026-08-11T17:10:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T22:10:13","slug":"master-science-computer-information-science-data-science-option","status":"publish","type":"program","link":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/master-science-computer-information-science-data-science-option\/","title":{"rendered":"Master of Science in Computer and Information Science &#8211; Data Science Option"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <strong>Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences (MCIS) with a focus on Data Science<\/strong> at Southern Arkansas University is a specialized STEM-certified program combines advanced computer science principles, statistical modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to equip students with the skills needed to analyze complex datasets, build predictive models, and develop intelligent solutions for real-world challenges. Students gain hands-on experience with modern data science tools and techniques, including data mining, machine learning, data visualization, predictive analytics, and AI-driven decision making. Through a blend of theoretical foundations and practical applications, graduates are prepared to transform data into actionable insights and create scalable solutions for industries ranging from healthcare and finance to technology and government. This concentration is ideal for students seeking careers as <strong>Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, AI Specialists, Data Analysts, Business Intelligence Professionals<\/strong>, and other data-centric roles in the rapidly evolving digital economy.<\/p>\n<h3>Program Format &amp; Flexibility<\/h3>\n<p>The MCIS program offers a flexible and student-centered learning environment tailored to both full-time students and working professionals.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Online<\/strong>: Complete your degree from anywhere in the United States with 100% virtual coursework.<\/li>\n<li><strong>On-Campus<\/strong>: Engage in hands-on labs and face-to-face collaboration in Magnolia.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hybrid<\/strong>: Utilize a blend of both formats to balance your career and education.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Program Duration &amp; Start Dates<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Duration<\/strong>: Typically completed in 18\u201324 months.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Start Dates<\/strong>: Rolling admissions with intakes available for Fall, Spring, and Summer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Deadlines<\/strong>: * Fall: July 20 | Spring: December 1 | Summer I: April 1 | Summer II: June 1<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accelerated Master\u2019s Option<\/strong>: High-achieving SAU undergraduates can begin earning Data Science credits during their senior year, shortening the path to graduation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Why Choose the Data Science Track at SAU?<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>STEM Designation<\/strong>: As a STEM-certified program, international students are eligible for a 24-month OPT extension (36 months total).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Specialized Faculty and Research Projects<\/strong>: Experienced AI and Data Science Faculty, funded research projects.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cost-Effectiveness<\/strong>: SAU offers one of the most affordable high-quality graduate computer science programs in the region.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Skills You Will Gain<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Machine Learning &amp; AI<\/strong>: Design and implement neural networks and predictive algorithms.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Big Data Infrastructure<\/strong>: Master the tools required to manage and process petabyte-scale information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Advanced Data Visualization<\/strong>: Communicate complex technical findings to non-technical stakeholders using tools like Python, R, and Tableau.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Statistical Modeling<\/strong>: Apply advanced mathematical concepts to solve real-world predictive challenges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Faculty &amp; Digital Learning Environment<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Research-Active Faculty<\/strong>: Learn from professors who are experts in AI, machine learning, cyber security and cloud computing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>State-of-the-Art Labs<\/strong>: Access virtualized environments and physical labs equipped with the latest hardware.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Class Projects and Internship<\/strong>: Most courses include hands-on implementation or research projects, providing practical experience with real-world challenges. Internship opportunities further enhance learning by offering valuable industry exposure and professional experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences (MCIS) with a focus on Data Science at Southern Arkansas University is a specialized STEM-certified program combines advanced computer science principles, statistical modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to equip students with the skills needed to analyze complex datasets, build predictive models, and develop intelligent solutions&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/master-science-computer-information-science-data-science-option\/\"> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":16413,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_genesis_title":"","_genesis_description":"","_genesis_noindex":"","_genesis_nofollow":"","_genesis_noarchive":"","_genesis_canonical_uri":"","_open_graph_title":"","_open_graph_description":"","_twitter_title":"","_twitter_description":"","_social_image_url":"","_social_image_id":"","redirect":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"college_department":[18307,18324,18306],"delivery":[28836,255,28834],"types":[28851,71780],"class_list":["post-11834","program","type-program","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","college_department-school-of-graduate-studies","college_department-mathematics-and-computer-science","college_department-college-of-science-and-engineering","delivery-hybrid","delivery-on-campus","delivery-online","types-graduate","types-masters","entry"],"acf":{"page_layout":"standard","landing_page_url":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/mcis\/","department_college":"<a href=\"http:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/science_and_technology\/mathematics_and_computer_science\/\">Mathematics &amp; Computer Science<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/science\/\">College of Science &amp; Engineering<\/a>","badge_text":"","Number_of_Hours":"30","tuition_instate":"","tuition_outstate":"","estimated_total_tuition":"","start_dates":"Rolling admissions (Fall, Spring, Summer)","duration":"2 years","Degree Plans":"<ul>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.saumag.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=11&amp;poid=2699&amp;returnto=407\">2026-2027<\/a><\/li>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.saumag.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=9&amp;poid=2089&amp;returnto=346\">2025-2026<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","Program_Contact_Info":"[dirswitch contacts=\"al-shami-ahmad\"]","Catalog Entry":"<h4>Core Courses (12 hours)<\/h4>\nMCIS 5103 - Advanced Programming Concepts\nor MCIS 5163 - Python Programming\nMCIS 5133 - Data Base Management Systems\nMCIS 6163 - Computer Networking\nMCIS 6173 - Information and Networking Security\n<h4>Data Science Courses (12 hours)<\/h4>\nMCIS 6123 - Decision Science\nor MCIS 6333 - Data Visualization Programming\nMCIS 6263 - Big Data\nMCIS 6273 - Data Mining\nMCIS 6283 - Machine Learning\n<h4>Elective Courses (6 hours)<\/h4>\n<strong>Select 6 hours from the following:<\/strong>\nMCIS 5013 - The UNIX Operating System\nMCIS 5103 - Advanced Programming Concepts\nMCIS 5113 - Web Programming: Client Side\nMCIS 5163 - Python Programming\nMCIS 5313 - Data Structures and Algorithms\nMCIS 5333 - AI Principles and Applications\nMCIS 5353 - Deep Learning\nMCIS 5363 - Generative AI and Language Models\nMCIS 5383 - Privacy, Security, and Ethics\nMCIS 5413 - Web Programming: Server Side\nMCIS 6123 - Decision Science\nMCIS 6133 - User Interface Design\nMCIS 6153 - Software Engineering\nMCIS 6183 - Special Topics\nMCIS 6193 - Special Topics\nMCIS 6213 - Applied Cryptography\nMCIS 6223 - Vulnerability Analysis and Risk Assessment\nMCIS 6233 - Traceable Systems and Computer Forensics\nMCIS 6243 - Wireless and Mobile Security\nMCIS 6253 - Privacy Compliant Systems Design\nMCIS 6293 - Special Topics\nMCIS 6313 - Internet of Things\nMCIS 6323 - Cloud Computing\nMCIS 6333 - Data Visualization Programming\nMCIS 6913 - Thesis\nMCIS 6983 - Internship in Computer and Information Science","minor_requirements":"","Admission Requirements or Deadlines":"<ol>\r\n \t<li><strong>Online Application<\/strong>: Submit your <a href=\"https:\/\/apply.saumag.edu\">Graduate Studies Application<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Transcripts<\/strong>: Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>GPA Requirement<\/strong>: Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (Conditional admission may be available for 2.2+).<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h3>Prerequisites:<\/h3>\r\nA Bachelor\u2019s degree in Computer Science or a related field is preferred. Students with degrees in other fields may be required to complete two foundational \"bridge\" courses in programming and concepts.","careers":"Data Science is currently one of the highest-paying and most secure career paths in tech. Graduates are prepared for:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Data Scientist<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Machine Learning Engineer<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Data Engineer<\/li>\r\n \t<li>AI Solutions Architect<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Quantitative Analyst<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nMarket Demand: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a <strong>35% growth rate<\/strong> for Data Scientists through 2034, far exceeding the national average for all occupations.","faq":[{"faq_question":"Is this program different from the MS in Business Analytics?","faq_answer":"Yes. While the MSBA focuses on the business application of data, the MCIS Data Science option is a technical computer science degree focusing on the underlying algorithms, architecture, and programming of data systems."},{"faq_question":"Is this program STEM-certified?","faq_answer":"Yes. It qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension for international students."},{"faq_question":"Can I complete this degree while working full-time?","faq_answer":"Absolutely. Many of our students are working professionals who utilize our asynchronous online delivery to balance their careers and education."},{"faq_question":"What programming languages are taught?","faq_answer":"The curriculum focuses heavily on Python, R, and SQL, which are industry-standard for data science."}],"Accreditations":"","Testimonials":"","student_information":"","Advisors":"","rankings":"","keywords":"","custom_tab_title":"","custom_tab_text":"","rfi_shortcode":"[gf_embed site=\"1\" id=\"88\" prog=\"MCIS Data Science\" type=\"Graduate\" comments=\"true\" notify_emails=\"aalshami@saumag.edu\"]"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/11834","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/program"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/11834\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18113,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/11834\/revisions\/18113"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16413"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11834"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"college_department","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/college_department?post=11834"},{"taxonomy":"delivery","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/delivery?post=11834"},{"taxonomy":"types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types?post=11834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}