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Your Questions Answered

Navigating your academic journey in Data Science at Emory can be exciting—but also complex. Whether you're exploring majors, planning your course schedule, or considering a double major, this FAQ page is designed to help you make informed decisions. Here, you'll find answers to common questions about AP credit, grading policies, major requirements, track options, double majors, honors programs, and the BBA + Data Science co-major.

If you're just getting started or need clarification on specific policies, this is a great place to begin. For personalized guidance, we encourage you to connect with your DSci faculty advisor or attend one of our advising sessions.

Major/Minor Declarations

Students may declare a major or minor in OPUS at any time; however, declarations are not processed until the student attends a mandatory onboarding session. These sessions occur twice a year, specifically in September and March. You must attend one of these sessions to be officially cleared as a major or minor. You will receive invitations to these events and must RSVP to attend.

Emory College allows students to pursue either two majors or a major and a minor. Certain program combinations are prohibited due to significant course overlap. Additionally, the Department of Data and Decision Sciences (𝔻Sci) allows a maximum of two courses to double-count between any two programs. 

Major/minor requirements

All DSci majors require at least 50 credit hours. AMS requires 20 courses (54+ credits); PPA requires 19 courses (51+ credits); Data Science requires 15+ courses (50+ credits); BBA + DSci requires 18 courses (56+ credits). You must make a C- or above to count them toward the major. 

No. All courses counting towards DSci majors and minors must be taken for a letter grade. You must make a C- or above to count a course toward the major.

Joint Majors

The BBA + DSci program is equivalent to the Data Science major with the BUS track. Students who want a different discipline track must pursue the standard Data Science major in addition to the BBA major.

No. Students must be formally admitted to Goizueta before they can declare the BBA + Data Science joint major. Admission decisions for the Business School are based solely on the BBA admissions criteria. However, if you're interested in pursuing this course of study, you may go ahead and start taking intro level Data Sci coursework before you are admitted to the business school.

No. Like any other double major at Emory, you will earn one degree that matches your primary course of study. As a student in Goizueta Business School, your primary course of study is Business, and therefore your degree will be a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). On your transcript, your course of study will appear as a BBA + DataSci co-major.

Graduation Requirements

No. You need at least 50 credit hours to complete the Data Science major. 

The Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) will contact you at the beginning of the semester in which you are scheduled to graduate. They will let you know if you have met all requirements, or if not, what is still needed to do. You can reach out to your OUE advisor ahead of time if you'd like to ensure you are ready to graduate.