Our 3+1 in Data Analytics

To qualify for admission to the College’s 3+1 program to earn a Master of Science of Data Analytics (MSDA), you must meet all application requirements listed below no later than October 1st to be considered for the next fall cohort.

1. Complete the online MSDA application.
   • Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
   • Complete a 500-1,000-word personal statement (similar to a letter of interest). This personal statement should reveal something about you as an applicant, the reason you want to pursue this graduate degree and how it will advance your future goals.
2. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, computer science, finance, business administration or another approved undergraduate degree at The College of Idaho and have completed four semesters (or two years) at the College toward completion of your bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
   • If your cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, in order to be considered for the program, you must include: (i) an explanation of GPA statement; and (ii) an additional letter of recommendation.
3. Submit transcripts from The College of Idaho.
4. Demonstrate the ability to meet The College of Idaho’s technology requirements for the duration of the graduate program.
5. Submit a letter of recommendation from a College of Idaho faculty member. This letter should highlight your academic or professional experiences relevant to admission to this graduate degree program and evaluate your leadership, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and judgement as well as your ability and capability to complete a graduate degree.
   • If your cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, in order to be considered for the program, you must submit a second letter of recommendation from a College of Idaho faculty member.
6. Confirmation the Office of Academic Affairs that based on your degree map to complete your bachelor’s degree, you have the ability to complete both your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in four years.

The MSDA originates from and emphasizes the liberal arts. Our program is 36 credit hours and offers an interdisciplinary curriculum through 9 uniquely crafted courses. Through four core courses, four targeted courses and a practicum capstone, you gain the expertise to lead with confidence in today’s data-driven economic landscape.

• Data Analytics
• Introduction to Data Science
• Project Management
• Statistical Machine Learning
• Business Intelligence & Data Engineering
• Data Visualization
• Graduate Electives (e.g. management science, research methods and statistics)
• Capstone

For the 3+1 degree, students pay their regular undergraduate tuition and fees (and keep their undergraduate financial aid) during their senior year, and then pay the below tuition and fees for the final summer of graduate-level study.

• 2027-2028 3+1 Summer Tuition: $15,000
• Graduate Program and Technology Fee: $450

Note: The College of Idaho’s tuition and fees are due in full on or before May 1st. The amounts above reflect the total cost of the 3+1 program (above the cost of regular undergraduate tuition/fees) based on the current tuition and fees schedules. Tuition and fees in future academic years are subject to change. The upcoming year’s tuition and fees schedules are posted in late spring.

After you've been accepted to the 3+1 program, you must pay a $1,000 matriculation deposit to secure your spot in the graduate program. This one-time, non-refundable deposit is credited toward your summer tuition.

We require graduate students to purchase textbooks for their courses. Students may order books from The College of Idaho's online bookstore, which MBS Direct manages. Students with book vouchers can use them through MBS Direct.

Alternatively, students can order or rent books from other sources, such as Amazon, independent booksellers, textbook sites like textbooks.com or ecampus.com or directly from publishers. Before purchasing, students should carefully review book requirements and ensure they obtain the correct edition, using the ISBN for accuracy.

Note: The Cruzen-Murray Library does not endorse any of the retailers listed. We are providing this information for the benefit of students.

All graduate students enrolled in a residential certificate, master’s or doctoral program at The College of Idaho, or participating in a College athletic program, must have health insurance coverage. Students enrolled in a hybrid program or an exclusively online program are encouraged but not mandated to have health insurance unless their immigration status requires it.

Graduate students can purchase student health insurance through The College of Idaho. The health insurance premium is $2,492 for the 2025-2026 plan year.

Students can qualify for federal financial assistance based on the information they submit in their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more about financial aid options, explore our financial resources for graduate students or contact Financial Aid Services at finaid@collegeofidaho.edu or 208-459-5380.