Psychology (Data Science), MS
Applied Science, Behavior, Behavioral Psychology, Cognition, Data Science, Human Behavior, Neuropsychology, behavioral sciences
This program has a fee pending ABOR approval.
Gain the skills to turn human behavior into data-driven insights. This innovative graduate program empowers you with hands-on experience in machine learning, data visualization and behavioral analysis --- no advanced coding background is required. Prepare for a career in tech, health or social science with tools employers are actively seeking.
The Master of Science program in psychology with a concentration in 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 is 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.
Students of the program are well-prepared for careers in industries focused on data-driven solutions. This concentration is particularly valuable for those seeking to enhance their expertise in the growing high-tech sectors, 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
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (BDS 553)
Required Core (3 credit hours) Methods and Statistics (6 credit hours) Concentration (9 credit hours) Electives (9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
PSY 502 Professional Issues in Psychology (3)
BDS 500 Research Methods (3)
BDS 505 Statistical Methods (3)
BDS 511 Behavioral Data Science I (3)
BDS 512 Behavioral Data Science II (3)
PSY 506 Advanced Cognitive Science (3)
BDS 553 Behavioral Data Science Capstone (3)
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 requirements 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 and related fields 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
- one letter of recommendation
- personal statement
- 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 by scoring at least 4 on the Internet-based TOEFL® (iBT) or a score of 80 if taken before January 21, 2026 in a testing center; 6.5 on the IELTS; or 105 on the Duolingo English test.
It is preferred that the letter of recommendation come from a faculty member who knows the applicant's work well; if this is not possible, the recommendation should come from an individual in a supervisory or professional role.
The statement of purpose should be a concise and well-written response that describes the applicant's academic or career goals, and how a master's degree in psychology with a concentration in data science will help them achieve those goals.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
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 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.
Graduates of the concentration program in data science are prepared 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 have equipped graduates 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.
