Program Overview

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Social Data Science, MA

The Master of Arts program in social data science is designed for those interested in the social implications of big data and the ways that data science can provide insight into the understanding of social systems. Students engage in research at the intersection of data and society, preparing to become leaders in the field.

Program Description

Artificial intelligence and algorithmic structures of social interaction represent significant challenges to society, and questions of equity, privacy, and autonomy have become a recurring public concern. These technologies also may provide the keys for addressing substantial social issues. The critical analysis of these socio-technical systems requires both technical abilities and an understanding of social theory. This program provides those skills.

The program combines a thorough grounding in digital social science with the skills needed to analyze social data. This distinct combination enables students to understand and contribute to building ethical social platforms, to manage creative communities, and to understand network-mediated social change. Students work through a series of courses that provide a grounding in social theory and digital research methods, and they produce work that exemplifies their understanding of the state of the art in applying social data science within organizational and community contexts.

At a Glance

• College/school: New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
• Location: West Valley or Online
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

Accelerated Program Options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

Degree Requirements

• 30 credit hours and a thesis, or
• 30 credit hours including the required capstone course (STC 570)
• Required Core (18 credit hours)
  • SDS 501 Theories of Data and Society (3)
  • SDS 510 Data Wrangling (3)
  • SDS 527 Ethics and Policies of Social Data (3)
  • SDS 537 Technologies of Community (3)
  • SDS 550 Computational Social Methods I (3)
  • SDS 551 Computational Social Methods II (3)
• Electives (6 or 9 credit hours)
• Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours)
  • SDS 570 Social Data Projects (3) or
  • SDS 599 Thesis (6)

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.
• Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any 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 applicable master's degree program.
• All applicants must submit:
  • graduate admission application and application fee
  • official transcripts
  • statement of purpose
  • academic writing sample (preferred) or professional writing sample
  • proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Attend Online

ASU Online offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared to advise institutions on appropriate policies and to draw on large-scale trace data to help address significant social issues. They are well-positioned for research roles in businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations; to work with organizations to help them make ethical and effective use of social data; and for consulting roles regarding broader issues of social change and networked technologies. They also may continue on to doctoral work in cognate fields.

Career examples include:

• chief information officer
• communications director
• community manager
• data journalist
• intelligence or policy analyst
• program or project manager
• public affairs specialist
• research and data analyst
• social media manager
• social strategist

STEM-OPT for International Students on F-1 Visas

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website. The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.