Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science

Data Science Concentration

Effective Fall 2026

Required Courses: All listed Survey and Data Science (SurvMeth) courses are required courses in the Master’s degree program and must be taken for a letter grade to fulfill degree requirements. Students must earn the final grade of a B or better in required courses. Required courses differ depending on which concentration a student has selected (Survey Statistics, Social and Psychological Science, or Data Science).

Electives: All courses taken to fulfil an elective requirement can be selected from any relevant University of Michigan department with advisor approval. Electives must be taken for a letter grade.

Other Requirements: All full-time students are required to attend 75% (50% for part time students) of the scheduled M3 events (JPSM-MPSDS Seminar Series, visiting employer information sessions, professional development or other program events presented on Wednesdays, 12-1 PM). Student should not schedule other activities during this time. Attendance will be taken to confirm compliance with this requirement.

All MS students must complete 400 hours of approved practical work experience.

Course Requirements

Fall, Year 1 (12 credits)

  • SurvMeth 685: Statistical Modeling & Machine Learning I, 3 credit hours
  • SurvMeth 621: Fundamentals of Data Collection I, 3 credit hours
  • SurvMeth 727: Fundamentals of Computing and Data Display, 3 credit hours
  • Approved Elective: SI 506 strongly recommended, 3 credit hours

Winter, Year 1 (12 credits)

  • SurvMeth 686: Statistical Modeling & Machine Learning II, 3 credit hours
  • SurvMeth 625: Applied Sampling, 3 credit hours
  • SurvMeth 622: Fundamentals of Data Collection II, 3 credit hours
  • SurvMeth 640: Machine Learning for Social Science, 3 credit hours

Fall, Year 2 (11 credits)

  • SurvMeth 720: Total Survey Error and Quality I, 2 credit hours
  • SurvMeth 687: Applications of Statistical Modeling, 3 credit hours
  • SurvMeth 742: Fundamentals of Inference, 3 credit hours
  • SurvMeth 727: Fundamentals of Computing and Data Display, if not previously taken or approved elective, 3 credit hours

Winter, Year 2 (11 credits)

  • SurvMeth 721: Total Survey Error and Quality I, or Approved Elective (2 credits or more)
  • SurvMeth 670: Design Seminar, 3 credit hours
  • SurvMeth 701: Analysis of Complex Sample Survey Design, 3 credit hours
  • SurvMeth 745: Practical Tools for Study Design and Inference, 3 credit hours

Total credit hour requirement = 46 credit hours

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