Admissions and Application Requirements

The online Master of Science in Data Science program from Hawai‘i Pacific University prepares students to handle unconventional data, strengthen creative problem-solving skills, and apply cutting-edge data analysis expertise to nearly every industry.

To be eligible for admission into the program, you must have earned a bachelor’s from a regionally accredited institution — preferably in a discipline that requires quantitative skills. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 credits is strongly preferred.

This being said, applicants from all education and professional backgrounds, and levels of work experience, are welcome to apply. No GRE or other standardized test scores are required.

See below for more information on the application process and requirements.

Start Dates

The online MS in Data Science program offers three start dates per year.

January

May

August

Application Deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you can receive an admissions decision and begin planning your future. If you apply by the priority deadline, you are eligible to have your application fee waived.

Program Start Date	Early Action Deadline	Priority Deadline	Final Deadline
May 2025	Monday, January 20, 2025	Monday, February 17, 2025	Monday, March 17, 2025
August 2025	Monday, May 12, 2025	Monday, June 9, 2025	Monday, July 7, 2025

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Admissions Criteria

To be eligible for admission into the online MS in Data Science program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, preferably in math, computer science, engineering, business, social science, natural sciences — or another discipline that requires quantitative skills. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 credits is also strongly preferred. This being said, applicants from all education and professional backgrounds, and levels of work experience, are welcome to apply. No GRE or other standardized test scores are required.

In addition, the prerequisite courses that Hawai‘i Pacific University offers to admitted students helps admitted students gain additional knowledge and skills they will need to start their degree on the right foot. These courses include Introduction to Statistics, Programming Language/Introduction to Computing, and Linear Algebra. The pre-requisites are highly recommended but not required.

Application Requirements

The Hawai‘i Pacific University reviews applications holistically. No GRE or other standardized test scores are required to apply. You will need tosubmit the following materials to be considered for admission:

Complete the online application. The application fee is $55. If you submit your application by the priority application deadline, you are eligible to receive an application fee waiver.
Submit transcripts that reflect all your postsecondary education (undergraduate and graduate). Both official and unofficial transcripts can be submitted for application review. To submit unofficial transcripts, request them directly from the university/school(s), and upload them yourself to your application (your transcript(s) will be considered unofficial). You can also choose to provide official transcripts directly as you apply to the program.

All international transcripts must be submitted in the original language accompanied by an official English translation and certified U.S. bachelor’s equivalency evaluation.

Please note: If you are admitted to the program but have not yet provided official transcripts, you will need to provide official transcripts before you can register for your second term of the program. For your transcript(s) to be considered official, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution.

Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.

If you are an international applicant, see the section below for specifics on submitting your transcripts.
If you need to submit any other application items, use the following email address: dsappsvcs@onlinedegrees.hpu.edu.
Submit your current résumé and be sure to list any relevant professional and academic experience, including volunteer work.
You may choose to submit an essay that addresses the following prompt: Is there any additional information you wish to share with Hawai‘i Pacific University that is not found elsewhere in your application?
Letters of recommendation are optional. You may choose recommenders, both professional and academic, who can explain how your experience and qualifications have prepared you for this program. You must provide contact information for your recommenders in your application.
Transcript Evaluations

All international transcripts must be submitted in the original language accompanied by an official English translation and certified U.S. bachelor’s equivalency evaluation. Please note that no U.S. student visa will be issued for this 100% online program. Translations of any non-English document must be literal and complete versions of the originals and translated/evaluated by one of the following:
- Official NACES Member, translation and evaluation service:
  
  Please refer to the American Translators Association to search for a translator in your language.
- Ministry of Education, consulate, or embassy.
  
  This can include one of the following: Education USA (EDUSA), AmidEast, or US India Education Foundation (USIEF).
English Proficiency

International applications who come from a country that’s not on the Hawai‘i Pacific University English Speaking Country and Territory List, can show that they meet English language proficiency requirements for entry to a graduate program in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  
  Score of at least 550 (pBT) or 80 (iBT)
  
  HPU’s Institution code is 4352
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  
  Overall band score of at least 6.5
  
  The general training exam is not accepted. No institutional code is needed.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
  
  Score of at least 55
- Duolingo English test
  
  Score of at least 110
- Cambridge Score
  
  Score of at least 176
- Step Eiken
  
  Test level of Grade 1
- iTEP (International Test of English Proficiency)
  
  Score of at least 3.9
- GTEC (Global Test of English Communication)
  
  Score of at least 1200
International applicants can also demonstrate their English proficiency in several other ways. To learn more about international application requirements and English proficiency requirements, visit our international students webpage.