Is today's landscape "data-driven"? Not only are graduate applications for data-related programs intensely competitive, but many non-data programs have also begun adding data courses or requiring data-related backgrounds. If we talk about "good employment prospects," then programs associated with data analysis are all sound choices; if they also happen to be STEM-designated, they become even more sought after. Students interested in such programs can add a CheersYou（清柚教育） advisor to learn more details~
The University of Pennsylvania's MSSP-DA program in social policy and data analytics is one such STEM-designated social science program with data courses. Many students pursuing social science fields have taken notice of it. Today, CheersYou（清柚教育） will discuss this program in detail, covering application requirements, background prerequisites, curriculum, and important considerations!
Program Introduction:
The full name of UPenn's MSSP-DA program is Master of Science in Social Policy + Data Analytics for Social Policy Certificate. In short, it's a social science program with data courses, lasting 3 to 4 semesters. The biggest feature/advantage of this program is that it is STEM-designated, providing an additional 36 months of OPT compared to non-STEM programs, which is more beneficial for students looking to work in the U.S.
Program Website Link:
Application Requirements / Background Prerequisites:
- Bachelor's degree with strong academic ability and GPA;
- Demonstrated interest in social policy, social justice, and/or justice-oriented policies;
- TOEFL score of 100 or above; IELTS score of 7.5 or above
Because the MSSP-DA program includes data analytics coursework, it has an additional prerequisite compared to the pure MSSP: applicants must have completed at least one statistics analysis course or related work before applying.
This "at least one statistics analysis course or work" does not require pure coding (i.e., no pure encoding or programming experience is needed). The program is fundamentally a social science one, so the statistics work, whether research or a program, should be connected to social work, social policy, or similar fields to be considered relevant/valid background.
Note that applying to the MSSP-DA does not guarantee admission to the DA track. If the admissions committee feels you lack sufficient data analytics background, they may offer you admission to the MSSP (standalone) program. The MSSP is a purely social science program, not STEM, so it does not come with OPT extension.
Curriculum:
The UPenn MSSP-DA program requires 12 courses, to be completed in 3-4 semesters, with a mandatory summer internship in the fourth semester (the school will assist in placement). The curriculum provides students with foundational concepts in data analytics, data structure programming, machine learning and predictive analytics applications, spatial analysis, and data processing techniques such as web scraping and data visualization. Students will learn programming languages such as SAS, R, Java, Python, GIS, and ArcGIS to process, clean, and analyze data for social policy.
Additionally, students in this program may take courses across UPenn's 12 graduate schools (including Wharton). Why not take advantage of this opportunity?
Here is an offer from the UPenn MSSP-DA program~
For more details on applying to this program, add a CheersYou（清柚教育） advisor for consultation~
