• Join an upcoming information session or watch a recording of a past session.
• Review the application process and eligibility requirements. 
• Explore the MS-DSP curriculum.
• Request more information about the MS-DSPP.
• Inquire about a campus visit.

Yes, the MSDSP is STEM-designated.

No, work experience is not required.

The program welcomes both recent graduates and early-career professionals who are passionate about using data science, AI, and advanced analytics to solve complex public policy challenges.

The MS-DSP’s accelerated 12-month format makes it possible to earn 2 degrees in just 5 years. Whether you’re continuing directly from undergraduate study or bringing professional experience, you’ll join a collaborative cohort united by a shared commitment to using data to inform better public policy.

Curiosity about data and policy, quantitative aptitude, and a drive to use strategic analytical insights to find solutions across sectors.

No. The program welcomes students from a variety of disciplines — economics, social sciences, computer science, business, or liberal arts — who want to bridge data with human decision-making.

The MS-DSP blends key skills and knowledge from both data science and public policy. Unlike more traditional data science degrees, the MS-DSP centers on human behavior, organizations, and institutions, preparing students to use data to solve complex public policy challenges.

• A Human-Centered Approach to Data Science
  From the first courses in topics like Statistics for Public Policy to the culminating Brooks Engaged Learning Capstone, MS-DSP students are always considering people and their interactions. The MS-DSP trains students in a workflow where they gather, clean, analyze, and communicate data for informed decision-making that affects human lives and well-being.
• Data Science at the Forefront of Public Policy
  Because of this unique blend of data science and public policy, MS-DSP students are prepared to address pressing modern issues where data and human institutions intersect. From data management and stewardship to the integration of generative AI into work, life, and governance, the program positions graduates to become data-driven leaders in the modern era.
• Cornell’s Data-Driven Research Community
  Students benefit from Cornell’s longstanding, interdisciplinary data-driven research community, with opportunities to engage with researchers and collaborators through leading organizations such as the Cornell Population Center, Cornell Brooks Center for Infrastructure, Cornell Tech Policy Institute, and the Cornell Center for Social Sciences.
• Preparing You for Your First Job—and Your Last
  Just as importantly, the program prepares graduates for long-term career success. At the Brooks School, we believe in preparing students for both their first job and their last job. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, applied learning, and a strong professional network, students develop the adaptable technical and policy skills needed to navigate emerging technologies, evolving analytical tools, and changing public policy challenges throughout their careers.

No. Quantitative skills and coding aptitude are evaluated holistically with consideration for previous coursework as well as experience in internships, work environments, and other avenues where students may have worked with data, studied mathematical or computational subjects, or otherwise demonstrated quantitative aptitude and curiosity.

Course Load: 

Summer Session: 6 credits
Fall Semester: 15 credits
Winter Session: 3 credits
Spring Semester: 16 credits
Total: 40 Credits 

Topical Areas: 

• Statistics and data analytics 

• Data management and programming 

• Data modeling and machine learning 

• Microeconomics and political analysis 

• Managing and leading organizations 

• Data visualization and communication for policy 

• Data ethics, equity, and emerging technology 

No, the MS-DSP is a fully residential program at Cornell University’s main campus in Ithaca, NY.

If you are looking for a hybrid degree, the Brooks School offers an Executive Master of Science in Data Science for Public Policy (EMSDSP) for mid-career professionals with 5-10+ years of experience who want to strengthen their analytical fluency and leadership impact.

For Executive (EMSDSP) admissions, visit the EMSDSP page.

The MS-DSP is a 12-month degree program. Students start in June and graduate the following May.

No. The MS-DSP is an accelerated 12-month program designed to maximize learning within a single calendar year, including coursework during the summer and winter terms, so it does not include a summer internship.

Students gain hands-on experience through the Brooks Engaged Learning Capstone, collaborating with an external partner organization to address a real-world public policy challenge using data science, AI, and advanced analytics. Combined with applied coursework and close faculty mentorship, the capstone gives students the opportunity to apply their technical and policy skills to real public policy challenges before graduation.

You can learn more about the MSDSP cost of attendance here.

Yes, merit scholarships are available. Each application is considered for merit-based scholarships, which generally are awarded at the time of admission and noted in the admission letter. There is no separate application to complete to be considered for funding.

Students finance their degree using student loans, veterans education benefits, external fellowships, and more. The MS program offers merit-based scholarships that generally are awarded at the time of admission in the admission letter.

Financial aid in the form of loans can be applied for using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available exclusively to domestic/U.S. citizens. Find more information about graduate financial aid here.

Private education loans may be available to domestic students and international students not eligible for the FAFSA. Cornell University maintains “recommended private lender” lists to help students and their families identify reputable private lenders offering competitive interest rates, low or no fees, borrower-friendly repayment terms, and other benefits.

Yes, Cornell University’s International Services Office of Global Learning can assist international students with visa applications.

No, the GRE/GMAT is not required, nor considered.

Official transcripts are required after admission, but unofficial transcripts are used during application review.

All applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. There are 3 ways this may be done: 

• Submit Scores – Provide official IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT test scores that meet the Graduate School’s minimums. 
• Request a Standing Exemption within your application for admission. On the first page of the Application for Graduate Admission, you will attest that you meet one of the standing exemptions and provide documentation if required. 
• Request a Special Exemption – In exceptional cases, applicants may ask for a special exemption. Guidelines and the request process are outlined below. 

For more information about proof of English-language proficiency, visit the Graduate School’s Admissions website. 

You may submit an application with only self-reported scores, but applications will not be considered complete until official scores are received directly from ETS/IELTS. Incomplete applications are not reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee.

For more information about proof of English-language proficiency, visit the Graduate School’s Admissions website.

We accept both academic and professional references. View our tips on how to submit letters of recommendation here.

The online video interview is an opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you beyond your written application. There’s no studying required—the questions aren’t designed to test technical knowledge. Instead, they’re an opportunity to reflect on your goals, your interest in the program, and your readiness for graduate study.

For tips on what to expect, how to prepare, and how to approach the interview with confidence, read our blog, Mastering Your Video Interview: Tips for Applicants to the Brooks School’s Graduate Programs.

We strive to release decisions for complete applications as soon as a decision is ready—typically within several weeks of an application being marked complete in the application portal.

For questions or assistance needed with the application, please contact Brooks School Graduate Admissions at BrooksGradAdmissions@cornell.edu.