Master of Science in
Applied Urban Science and
Informatics Admissions Apply Now →

Admissions Overview

To be considered for the MS in Applied Urban Science and Informatics program, you are required to demonstrate, through a combination of coursework, previous degree, and professional experience, competency in the following areas, depending on your intended discipline specialization:

  • Single-variable calculus
  • Basic programming
  • Statistics and probability
  • Geographic information systems and spatial analytics
  • Basic computer science

A selection committee may deem some applicants in need of further training to be admitted into the program. In such cases, accelerated instruction may be available during the pre-semester City Challenge Program.



To apply to the Master of Science in Applied Urban Science and Informatics program, you must have either (1) a previous master’s degree in a relevant field or (2) a bachelor’s degree in science, mathematics, or engineering and a minimum of two years of appropriate professional experience. You must also demonstrate high aptitude for quantitative analysis and academic success through performance in undergraduate and graduate coursework.

  • Step 1: Learn more – request information here or attend an information session.
  • Step 2: Submit a completed online application. In addition to your online application, we also require:
    • University transcript(s)
    • GRE scores
    • Three recommendation letters
    • Resume/CV
    • Personal statement or urban informatics essay
    • TOEFL (school code #3345) or IELTS for non-native English speakers
    • $95 application fee
  • Step 3: Urban Data Challenge. Upon review of your completed application, you will be asked to analyze a specific urban problem statement and dataset. Your analysis should lead to a proposed solution for the given problem statement.