Digital Sciences - M.D.S. Download to print

The Master of Digital Sciences degree is a professional master’s degree for graduates from a variety of backgrounds.

A breadth requirement introduces students to digital technologies outside their undergraduate field of study, and five degree concentrations provide deeper knowledge in one or more domains.

A Bachelor's degree in Digital Sciences is not required for admission.

For graduates from computer science, computer information systems, technology, or other areas close to Digital Sciences, the Master of Digital Science can augment the students’ undergraduate coursework with additional breadth and some focused depth in one area outside their own discipline. For example, a computer science graduate could select the Digital Systems Management and Consulting concentration to study the management of information systems. A computer information systems graduate could select the Enterprise Architecture concentration to learn how to align the use of technology to business needs.

For graduates from the sciences, humanities or other areas less closely aligned with Digital Sciences, the Master of Digital Sciences gives a broad exposure to the field and a focused introduction to one area. For example, a physics graduate could select the Digital Systems Software Development concentration to study programming, algorithms, and software engineering. A psychology or education graduate could select the Digital Science Cognition and Communication concentration to learn about simulation games, virtual reality, and managing technological change.

The Master of Digital Sciences includes five concentrations to provide deeper knowledge in one or more domains: Digital Science Cognition and Communication, Digital Systems Management and Consulting, Digital Systems Software Development, Digital Systems Telecommunication Networks, and Enterprise Architecture.

The Digital Science Cognition and Communication concentration focuses on the learning, teaching, communication, and training needs of an organization and the hardware and software systems that must be designed to meet those needs. This concentration can assist graduates to prepare for a career as an instructional technologist, instructional coordinator, information technology trainer or user interface specialist.

The Digital Systems Management and Consulting concentration focuses on reviewing an organization's business priorities, identifying and solving complex problems, and designing and re-engineering critical processes.  This concentration can assist graduates to prepare for a career as a management analyst, information systems project manager, information technology coordinator, or technology consultant.

The Digital Systems Software Development concentration focuses on the software needs of an organization and the coordination of the design, maintenance, and expansion of a software system to meet those needs.  This concentration can assist graduates to prepare for a career as an application architect, software project manager, scientific programmer or web developer.

The Digital Systems Telecommunication Networks concentration focuses on the communication needs of an organization and the design of a telecommunication and network infrastructure  to meet those needs. This concentration can assist graduates to prepare for a career as a technology architect, network system analyst, data communication analyst or telecommunications specialist.

The Enterprise Architecture concentration focuses on assisting organizations to review and improve their investments in technology and to ensure that their digital information, applications, and technology are fully aligned with business goals and objectives. This concentration can assist graduates to prepare for a career as a computer system architect, enterprise architect, information architect or solution architect.
 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer-related occupations will grow twice as fast as the average for all occupations, and will account for over 750,000 new jobs nationally between 2008-2018. Computing occupations are projected to be responsible for nearly 60% of all job growth in science and engineering between now and 2018.

Depending on a student's undergraduate background, the Digital Sciences program can prepare graduates for entry-level careers such as computer systems analyst, computer system architect, enterprise architect, information system project manager, information technology coordinator, instructional coordinator, instructional technologist, scientific programmer, software project manager, technology architect, telecommunication specialist or web developer.
 

Applicants for the Master of Digital Sciences degree are expected to have an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale. Applicants with a lower GPA will be considered for conditional admission. The GRE is not required but if taken will be considered in the admission process.

Applicants must submit official transcript(s), current resume, three letters of recommendation, a statement of goals and objectives for pursuing this degree, and (optionally) a statement of plans for electives.

The (required) statement of goals and objectives should explain the applicant's goals and objectives for pursuing this advanced degree. For example, the applicant may want to better prepare for a particular career, to update knowledge in a specific area or to add expertise that will make the applicant more valuable in a current career.

The (optional) statement of plans for electives should explain how the applicant plans to choose the digital sciences related electives to complement the selected concentration and undergraduate major. The applicant should explain how the electives will help to meet the goals and objectives listed in the previous question.

International applicants must submit evidence of proficiency in the English language, usually through the TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS.

Please refer to the University policy for graduate admissions.

Minimum 32 credit hours of graduate-level coursework including 9-10 credits of major requirements, 9-10 credits of concentration requirements, 7-8 credits of approved electives in the digital sciences or related programs, and 6 credits of Thesis or Capstone plus electives as described on the program requirements page.
 

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Augment their professional preparation with material from areas of digital sciences outside their former college and professional boundaries.

2. Demonstrate increased breadth in digital sciences outside their former college and professional boundaries. Depending on the courses chosen, they will be able to demonstrate basic familiarity with enterprise architecture, software development, telecommunication networks, globalization and technology strategy, and instructional design.

3. Demonstrate increased depth in one area of digital sciences outside their former college and professional boundaries. Depending on the concentration chosen, they will be able demonstrate some competence in enterprise architecture (Enterprise Architecture), software development (Digital Systems Software Development), computer networks (Digital Systems Telecommunication Networks), computer information systems (Digital Systems Management and Consulting), or instructional technology (Digital Science Cognition and Communication).

4. Demonstrate the integration of material from different areas in digital sciences, through either a Thesis or a Capstone project.

Business Administration-Information Systems/Operations Management (Ph.D.), Communication and Information (Ph.D.), Computer Science (Ph.D.), Educational Psychology-Instructional Technology (Ph.D.), Evaluation and Measurement (Ph.D.)
 

Each student must complete either 3 credits of DSCI 60910 Capstone in Digital Sciences and 3 credits of approved electives in the digital sciences or related programs (Non-Thesis Option), or 6 credits of DSCI 69199 Thesis I (Thesis Option).