Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
M.S. in Data Analytics in the Social Sciences
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Data Analytics in the Social Sciences at UB is a 36-credit hour program that can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, typically taking two years for full-time students. The program's strength lies in its interdisciplinary nature, combining coursework and learning opportunities from various social science departments at UB, including Sociology, Linguistics, Psychology, Geography, Anthropology, Communication, Political Science, and Economics. This broad exposure ensures graduates are well-rounded in data analysis techniques and can apply them across different areas of social science, preparing them for both professional opportunities and further academic study.
Curriculum: The 36-credit curriculum for the M.S. in Data Analytics in the Social Sciences includes a 24-credit hour "Required Core" and 12 credit hours for "Electives & Culminating Experience." The core curriculum emphasizes foundational skills in statistics (basic, intermediate, and advanced multivariate), computation/data manipulation (including programming), and advanced data analysis methods. Students are required to take at least 9 credit hours in a department other than their primary specialization to ensure interdisciplinary exposure. Electives allow students to deepen their knowledge in a specific social science discipline or explore related areas like communication, geospatial programming, or project management. The program culminates in a project or thesis, allowing students to apply their learned skills to a focused research endeavor.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Data Analytics in the Social Sciences program at UB is deeply rooted in the application of statistical and computational techniques to study social phenomena. The program aims to train the next generation of social scientists to use computational tools to analyze social data and draw meaningful conclusions about complex social issues. Research within the program often involves extracting insights from various types of data, including large-scale datasets and "Big Data," frequently sourced from social media, surveys, and census data. A significant area of focus is sentiment analysis, where researchers use sophisticated software to assess the emotional tone of large bodies of text to understand public attitudes and uncover connections among demographic characteristics. Students gain hands-on experience in applying data analysis and modeling skills to research projects.
Industry Engagement: The M.S. in Data Analytics in the Social Sciences program at UB is designed to produce "well-rounded candidate[s] for professional opportunities." While the program description doesn't explicitly detail formal industry partnerships or mandatory internships as part of its structure, the skills it teaches are highly marketable across various industries. The emphasis on practical training in data manipulation, organization, visualization, and statistical modeling, along with professional skills in project management and communication, directly prepares graduates for roles in the data-driven workforce. The broader university context, including career services and opportunities to attend workshops with local experts, further supports students in connecting with industry.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Data Analytics in the Social Sciences program at UB inherently fosters a global perspective through its focus on human behavior and societal patterns, which are global in scope. The application of data analytics to understand social trends, public attitudes, and demographics often involves analyzing data from diverse populations and international contexts. The University at Buffalo, being a major public research institution with a diverse international student body and faculty, naturally creates an environment where students engage with varied global viewpoints on social phenomena and data analysis challenges. This prepares graduates to work on internationally relevant data problems and collaborate with diverse teams in a globally connected world.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 28210
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Data Analytics in the Social Sciences (DASS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) provides graduates with a unique and highly applicable skill set at the intersection of social science research and advanced data analysis. This interdisciplinary program equips individuals with the ability to collect, process, analyze, and interpret complex social data, making them valuable assets in a wide range of organizations that seek to understand human behavior, social trends, and policy impacts.
Social Data Scientist/Analyst: This role involves applying statistical and computational methods to analyze social data from various sources (e.g., social media, surveys, demographic databases). Graduates can work for tech companies, research firms, or public agencies to understand user behavior, public opinion, or societal trends.
Market Research Analyst: With strong skills in survey design, data collection, and statistical analysis, graduates are well-prepared to analyze consumer behavior, market trends, and product demand. They help businesses understand their target audiences and develop effective marketing strategies.
Policy Analyst/Program Evaluator: These professionals use data to evaluate the effectiveness of social programs, public policies, and initiatives. They work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or think tanks, providing evidence-based recommendations to improve societal outcomes.
Survey Researcher: Graduates can design and implement surveys, manage data collection, and analyze survey results to gather insights into public opinion, social attitudes, or consumer preferences. They work for polling firms, academic institutions, or research departments.
Urban Planner/GIS Analyst (Social Focus): Leveraging geographical data analysis skills, graduates can work in urban planning, real estate, or local government to analyze demographic shifts, social inequalities, and community needs, informing sustainable urban development and resource allocation.
Human Resources (HR) Data Analyst: Companies increasingly use data to optimize HR strategies. Graduates can analyze employee data to understand workforce trends, improve recruitment and retention, measure employee satisfaction, and assess the impact of HR policies.
Public Health Data Analyst: In public health organizations or healthcare systems, graduates analyze health-related social data to identify health disparities, assess the effectiveness of public health campaigns, and understand social determinants of health.
Non-profit Data Manager/Analyst: Non-profit organizations require data expertise to measure impact, track fundraising efforts, understand their beneficiary populations, and report to funders. Graduates can help these organizations leverage data for better decision-making and operational efficiency.
Research Assistant (Academic or Private Sector): Graduates can support research projects in universities, private research firms, or corporate R&D departments. They assist with data collection, cleaning, statistical analysis, and report writing, contributing to diverse studies in social science, marketing, or public policy.
Business Intelligence Analyst (Social & Behavioral Data): While often associated with traditional business data, this role also applies to understanding customer behavior and social interactions. Graduates can analyze data to provide actionable insights for businesses on customer segmentation, engagement, and social impact initiatives.
