Behavioral Data Science (Graduate Certificate)
Applied Social Science, Behavioral Psychology, Cognition, Information, Neuropsychology, Psychology
Learn to analyze behavior through data science, and prepare for an in-demand career. Gain hands-on experience in programming, data wrangling, data visualization, machine learning and predictive modeling, setting you apart in social data science and psychology fields.
The graduate certificate in behavioral data science offers an innovative blend of behavioral science and advanced data science methods. The program equips students with essential skills to translate human behavior into quantifiable data for deeper analysis. Through project-based learning, students gain practical skills, including data collection and cleaning, data visualization and model-building --- skills that showcase their ability to address practical challenges using behavioral data analysis.
The curriculum is ideal for students from various academic backgrounds, including those with minimal computing experience. Courses emphasize hands-on data manipulation, cleaning and exploration, along with project-based learning with compelling topics, including tree-based algorithms, deep learning and convolutional neural networks. Students learn how to apply these innovative techniques to behavioral and social data, providing them with the critical thinking and technical skills needed in today's evolving job market.
The program aligns with ASU's charter and mission of inclusive and use-inspired research, making it an ideal choice for students looking to advance their education or enhance their professional capabilities. Students engage in projects directly applicable to in-demand fields, including health care, psychology and social data science, ensuring their skills are marketable and relevant. The program offers a distinct educational experience that minimally overlaps with more traditional statistical training and is maximally relevant to the evolving demands of the job market. This approach positions students at the forefront of technological and societal advancements, reflecting a unique integration of data science techniques within the behavioral sciences.
Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in industries focused on data-driven solutions. This certificate program is particularly valuable for those seeking to enhance their expertise in the growing high-tech sectors in the West Valley and Phoenix areas, positioning them for success in fields that integrate behavioral science with data analytics.
GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
- College/school:
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
- Location: West Valley
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
Students can complete two graduate certificate programs and combine them into a Master of Advanced Study degree, giving ultimate flexibility to build their own master’s degree. Interested students can learn more about MAS requirements and the admission process.
15 credit hours
Required Core (9 credit hours) Electives and Research (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
BDS 505 Statistical Methods (3)
BDS 511 Behavioral Data Science I (3)
BDS 512 Behavioral Data Science II (3)
Elective and research courses should be selected from the approved list available through the program advisor.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirement of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor¿s or master's degree in psychology, sociology, education or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master¿s degree program.
Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admissions application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- professional resume
- unofficial transcripts
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency.
The statement of purpose provides the admission committee the ability to evaluate writing as well as an applicant's fit for this program. The following items should be addressed in the statement of purpose:
- Describe your career goals and how a graduate certificate in behavioral data science will help you achieve those goals.
- Behavioral data science is the application of data science and machine learning techniques to the understanding of human behavior. Briefly describe aspects of behavioral data science that most interest you.
- Briefly discuss previous experience with computation methods or willingness to engage with these methodologies.
A professional resume or CV may be included in the application materials, but this is optional.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 07/15 | Final |
Study abroad is possible for graduate students, and it allows students in the psychology program to stand out in many career fields. Students are exposed to unique differences in the human condition worldwide, are able to improve language and cross-cultural skills for effective communication, and are challenged to adapt to new social and cultural circumstances.
There are more than 50 program opportunities, with programs available on every continent. Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses over the summer or during academic breaks with ASU professors offers close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while earning ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
The graduate certificate in behavioral data science at ASU's West Valley campus prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities in areas that merge data science with psychologically grounded insights into human behavior. The program's unique focus on advanced data science methods, machine learning and behavioral analytics equips students with the skills necessary to excel in multiple industries that rely on understanding human behavior through data-driven approaches, including academia, business, health care, education and public services. Career opportunities for graduates of this program include:
- business intelligence analyst
- clinical data manager
- computer user support specialist
- data scientist
- educational data scientist
- operations research analyst
- social science researcher
- survey and market researcher
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
|
FAB N101
NCGradAdvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000
Admission deadlines
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
