UMSI’s online Master of Applied Data Science moves to skills-based admissions

The University of Michigan School of Information is introducing a new admissions process for its online Master of Applied Data Science program.

Beginning with fall 2025 applicants, the MADS program will adopt a skills-based admissions model. In place of essays and letters of recommendation, applicants will demonstrate their readiness for the program through a programming assessment and interview. Applicants who show a higher level of proficiency will now have the opportunity to enter the program with credit already earned. 

Kelly Barger, senior recruiting and admissions coordinator for the MADS program, says the change is aimed at making the admissions process more accessible and directly aligned with the skills students need to succeed in the program. 

“This shift focuses on what applicants can do, not just on their GPA or background,” Barger says. “I am thrilled that this will allow us to increase our reach and impact.” 

Since its launch in 2019, the MADS program has attracted professionals from a range of industries, enabling them to pivot careers or apply data science in their current roles. The program emphasizes the practical application of data science techniques to guide decision-making and solve real-world problems.

“This new admissions model reflects our ongoing commitment to making the MADS program the most inclusive, flexible and relevant graduate program anywhere for today's data science careers,” says Kevyn Collins-Thompson, director of the MADS program and associate professor of information and computer science. 

Applicants will still complete a basic application and pay a $75 application fee ($90 for international applicants), but the assessment and interview are offered at no charge. Students can choose from two assessment options:

• Standard assessment: For students from all academic backgrounds with foundational Python skills, this assessment evaluates programming fundamentals such as syntax, control flow, function calls, core data structures and basic debugging. It typically takes one hour to complete.
   
• Advanced standing assessment: Designed for students with deeper knowledge of Python, data manipulation and basic statistics, this assessment typically takes 3 1/2 hours to complete. It gives successful applicants a head start by awarding four credits toward the 38-credit degree. 

Both assessments are paired with a 30- to 45-minute Zoom interview with a member of the UMSI enrollment team, covering the same academic areas.

U-M offers low-cost online programming courses, taught by UMSI faculty, that are a good fit for applicants who want to prepare for either assessment option. The popular Python 3 Programming Specialization teaches the foundational skills needed for the standard assessment. 

U-M’s Data-Oriented Python Programming and Debugging Specialization supports preparation for advanced entry to the program. Applicants who have already completed this specialization may submit their course assignments in place of taking the advanced standing assessment.

MADS accepts applications for three terms per calendar year: fall, winter and spring/summer. Applications for fall 2025 opened on March 31 with a priority deadline of June 15. 

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