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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; they must declare a track when declaring a nature. 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.

You should fill out a checklist for the desired track and talk with your OUE and track advisor to see if you have time to complete the other track. You can then download the major declaration form and email it to Program Coordinator Sadie Hannans sadie.marie.hannans@emory.edu. You may not switch a track if you have 90+ credits (see details here).  

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.

  • By College policy, Emory students are allowed to complete one major, two majors, or one major and one minor. You may double-count a maximum of two courses between any two majors, or between a major and a minor.
  • Due to a large number of overlapping courses, some combinations of majors may not be allowed as double majors. To ensure your chosen combination is permitted, you must check with your faculty advisor or with our Program Coordinator, Sadie Hannans (E: sadie.marie.hannans@emory.edu).
  • Successfully completing two majors within four years requires careful academic planning and may impact your ability to graduate on time.

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. 

Yes. If you are on track to graduate and originally declared your major under the QSS name, you will be reached out to with a form to indicate you want to keep that name on your transcripts.