How to apply to online graduate programs
The Luddy School accepts applications to our online programs on a rolling basis. With no GRE requirement and classes starting every eight weeks, you can choose the best time to get started.
Admission Office Hours
Ask questions, get tips and review your admission documents live with our Graduate Manager
Every Monday 10:00-11:00am and 2:00-3:00pm
Eligibility
We consider applicants with a 3- or 4-year bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
You are not required to have an academic background in data or computer science, however, you must possess:
- Mathematical knowledge like linear algebra, calculus, and/or probability
- Object-oriented programming knowledge in C/C++, Python and/or R, with the ability to pick up other programming languages as needed.
- Communication and critical thinking skills
If you need help developing any of these skills, we've compiled a helpful list of resources to make preparation easier.
You will not be able to enter the M.S. in Data Science program if you already hold a master's or doctoral degree from the Luddy School and the requirements of the degree are equivalent to the M.S. in Data Science degree.
We use rolling admissions
2026 start dates:
- January 12, 2026 / Apply by Nov 1, 2025
- March 9, 2026 / Apply by Feb 1, 2026
- May 12, 2026 / Apply by Feb 1, 2026
- August 24, 2026 / Apply by June 30, 2026
- October 19, 2026 / Apply by Oct 1, 2026
Application fee
The non-refundable application fee is $70.
Find your online program
Submitting your application
Our online programs require a completed IU application. You'll need to include the below documents. Once a document has been uploaded and submitted, you will not be able to modify it.
NOTE: All documentation, including irreplaceable transcripts and degrees, becomes the property of Indiana University. We are not at liberty to return these documents since they must be retained for the duration of your tenure in our program. We recommend avoid sending irreplaceable documents. (See the Retention Policy below for more information).
Application requirements
Provide a one to two-page resume (PDF) highlighting your employment history, education completed, job titles, and skills possessed in each role. The writing should be concise, well-constructed, and factually accurate.
Provide a brief one to two-page essay articulating who you are, why you are applying, what makes you a good candidate for our program, and your professional goals post completion. This is your opportunity to explain, rather than simply say. Be specific, use distinct examples, highlight your unique skills.
Provide the name and email address of one academic and/or professional contact who can serve as your reference. Select an individual who you know well and can attest to your readiness for our online program. You are welcome to provide contact details for other individuals whom would provide value to your application.
Upload electronic copies (scans) of your transcript(s) and/or mark sheets and degree certification(s) (diploma) from any outside institution not affiliated with Indiana University. This includes all undergraduate, graduate, and/or pending coursework where you have earned more than 5 credit hours from the credit granting institution.
Note: If you attended Indiana University or one of its affiliated campuses, our office can obtain your transcript on your behalf.
Each institutional transcript should be uploaded as a single PDF and include the following:
- Institution name (official logo - not typed or handwritten by the applicant)
- Title of courses and examinations completed
- Course/exam grades
- Dates of attendance
- Date degree or diploma was earned (awarded)
- For international records, this may be in the form of a scanned copy of your degree certificate (diploma).
Academic records uploaded on behalf of an application are deemed unofficial and accepted for admissions consideration only. If admitted and you elect to attend, official (original) academic records are required per the instructions set by the Luddy Office of Online Education at the time of admissions.
International Academic Records:
Because it can take a substantial amount of time to obtain records from schools outside the United States, please keep legible photocopies of your original international transcripts and degrees. Please contact the Office of International Services (OIS) with any questions at ois@iu.edu.
Our data retention policy
Any form of documentation or recorded information - regardless of physical characteristics - created, received, recorded, or legally submitted in the course of study becomes the property of Indiana University. This means documentation is non-returnable, and will not be forwarded, copied, or released to you or a third party.
We recommend that you avoid sending irreplaceable documents.
We do encourage you to make photocopies of your original academic records and send them to your home university.
Ask your home university to:
- Verify that the photocopies are consistent with their records
- Attest that the copies are true photocopies and stamp them with an official university stamp
- Put the attested, stamped photocopies in sealed envelopes endorsed by the registrar
- Mail the sealed, endorsed envelopes directly to the appropriate graduate office
Indiana University requires that university records, as defined herein, regardless of format, be retained for specific periods of time in accordance with legal or other institutional requirements, or for historical value. The university has designated official repositories to manage the retention of these records according to procedures outlined below, wherein documents are securely destroyed after three years of the last date of enrollment.
Learn more about the records retention guidelines.
Note: All credentials are retained indefinitely throughout a student's academic career with the Luddy Office of Online Education. Excluded from this policy are individuals who reserve the right to request their irreplaceable; original documents be verified upon arrival on campus for same-day verification. Same-day verification is only awarded to those who submit their irreplaceable and official academic records to the Office of International Services (OIS) in-person.
International academic records
Learn more about equivalent degrees for graduate students at the IU Office of International Students.
International documentation is nonreturnable, unless deemed irreplaceable. An irreplaceable document is defined by Indiana University as:
“A document that can only be issued once in a lifetime per person by a ministry of education (or other educational authority) or a document where another official copy cannot be obtained.”
International documentation, as deemed irreplaceable by the Office of International Services (OIS), may be returned after the conferral of your degree or certificate at your sole request. Indiana University will not voluntarily return your documentation upon degree conferral.
The Data Science Graduate Office will return materials if all of the below is followed:
- You’ve completed all program requirements and a degree or certificate was conferred
- You have submitted the Return of Irreplaceable Documents Request form and “Agreed” to all terms and conditions
- Please contact the Data Science Graduate Office at datasci@iu.edu for the form
- You’ve provided sufficient evidence of identification in the form of an official photo (license) and IU identification number for an in-person pickup or mail return
NOTE: Any documents requested to be returned through mail, will be at your expense. The Data Science Graduate Office is not reliable for any damages that should occur prior, during, or after the delivery of the documents.