PhD in Applied Data Science - Eastern University

[Max13]

Oh yeah, I've been eyeing this program as well, Applied Data Science (and it's a PhD) in the subject field I am very much interested in...

What do you think of this program? I think I be getting my MSML and Masters in Software Engineering in 2026 from WGU but this is what I have my eye on in 2027 especially if they flush out the program and take more applicants. I am not sure how fast the PHD can be accelerated (though with this one in particular I might take my time not slow but I wouldn't care as much if it took much 1.5 or 2 years). The price is really affordable for a PHD and I could be wrong but it the first of its kind for Data Science. A flexible, affordable, PHD in Data Science is insane value.

[Max13]

The program is still not accepting candidates sadly as of today. I contacted the school and 2026 is still up in the air about whether they actually go through with it. I am still remaining hopeful but 2027 is looking to be the year I can start this program.

[mcjon77]

The program is still not accepting candidates sadly as of today. I contacted the school and 2026 is still up in the air about whether they actually go through with it. I am still remaining hopeful but 2027 is looking to be the year I can start this program.

I would love it if they accepted applicants for 2026, but I highly doubt that happening. They would have opened up their admissions this spring. Spring is almost over for them. I think fall of 2027 is more likely.

[Max13]

The program is still not accepting candidates sadly as of today. I contacted the school and 2026 is still up in the air about whether they actually go through with it. I am still remaining hopeful but 2027 is looking to be the year I can start this program.

I would love it if they accepted applicants for 2026, but I highly doubt that happening. They would have opened up their admissions this spring. Spring is almost over for them. I think fall of 2027 is more likely.

I see you have a Masters in Data Science from them. Do you mind telling me more about the program? Maybe some insights before the Phd opens up next year? I would love to hear more. I agree though with spring almost over this is not going to happen most likely. There does seem to be a decent admissions process that takes time and last I heard from them (was about a month ago) they are still doing work to get it setup for more students. It seems very unlikely to be this year and even than it would be fall 2027 if it happens. I remain hopeful not but I could always knock out another degree in the meantime while I wait. I was eyeing the MSML from WGU since I have a lot of transfer credits anyways I could use in the meantime.

[PauFraTat]

I reached out about this program not too long ago and was put on a "mailing list" (or something to that effect) to be notified when it was available.

Out of curiosity to see what credits I have might transfer (if any), I applied to the MS in Data Science program. I was accepted, but haven't revisited to check on that. The admissions process for that program was fairly quick, though.

But why I'm even bringing the MS in Data Science up is that the 700-level courses for the PhD program seem to be the same as the 600-level courses. It even states in the 700-level Applied Machine Learning course description:

Students in DTSC 780 will complete all of DTSC 680 as well as additional PhD-level work, as described in the syllabus.

So I wonder how this is handled if someone is in the program that completed their MS in Data Science at Eastern and has already taken the 600-level course?

[Max13]

I reached out about this program not too long ago and was put on a "mailing list" (or something to that effect) to be notified when it was available.

Out of curiosity to see what credits I have might transfer (if any), I applied to the MS in Data Science program. I was accepted, but haven't revisited to check on that. The admissions process for that program was fairly quick, though.

But why I'm even bringing the MS in Data Science up is that the 700-level courses for the PhD program seem to be the same as the 600-level courses. It even states in the 700-level Applied Machine Learning course description:

Students in DTSC 780 will complete all of DTSC 680 as well as additional PhD-level work, as described in the syllabus.

So I wonder how this is handled if someone is in the program that completed their MS in Data Science at Eastern and has already taken the 600-level course?

That is something to consider massively. I assume I would start from scratch but it would add massively to me wanting to do this program if I could transfer my MS in Data Analytics classes from WGU to this program. Not sure if they have the same weight as Eastern own courses but the program is so new and so vague on details it hard to find anything out. I ask for updates and look at the mailing list but they just tell me to be patient and wait till next year.

[mcjon77]

I reached out about this program not too long ago and was put on a "mailing list" (or something to that effect) to be notified when it was available.

Out of curiosity to see what credits I have might transfer (if any), I applied to the MS in Data Science program. I was accepted, but haven't revisited to check on that. The admissions process for that program was fairly quick, though.

But why I'm even bringing the MS in Data Science up is that the 700-level courses for the PhD program seem to be the same as the 600-level courses. It even states in the 700-level Applied Machine Learning course description:

Students in DTSC 780 will complete all of DTSC 680 as well as additional PhD-level work, as described in the syllabus.

So I wonder how this is handled if someone is in the program that completed their MS in Data Science at Eastern and has already taken the 600-level course?

These would be considered new courses with additional information for PhD candidates.  That is why they have different course numbers.

This PhD program presumes that you have a masters in DS, CS or stats, that is why it is only 30 credit hours.  So you wouldn't get additional credit for one of the 700 level PhD courses because you took the 600 level version.

[Max13]

I reached out about this program not too long ago and was put on a "mailing list" (or something to that effect) to be notified when it was available.

Out of curiosity to see what credits I have might transfer (if any), I applied to the MS in Data Science program. I was accepted, but haven't revisited to check on that. The admissions process for that program was fairly quick, though.

But why I'm even bringing the MS in Data Science up is that the 700-level courses for the PhD program seem to be the same as the 600-level courses. It even states in the 700-level Applied Machine Learning course description:

Students in DTSC 780 will complete all of DTSC 680 as well as additional PhD-level work, as described in the syllabus.

So I wonder how this is handled if someone is in the program that completed their MS in Data Science at Eastern and has already taken the 600-level course?

These would be considered new courses with additional information for PhD candidates.  That is why they have different course numbers.

This PhD program presumes that you have a masters in DS, CS or stats, that is why it is only 30 credit hours.  So you wouldn't get additional credit for one of the 700 level PhD courses because you took the 600 level version.

That makes sense. I did get hopeful for a second but came to my senses. That being said I wish they would at least offer more info about the program. This program starting to feel like the Ford Maverick with how it was announce as cheap and affordable but now it quiet and the actual program release is unknown nor do we know if it actually be out on time and for the price listed by the time it actually comes out.

[mcjon77]

The program is still not accepting candidates sadly as of today. I contacted the school and 2026 is still up in the air about whether they actually go through with it. I am still remaining hopeful but 2027 is looking to be the year I can start this program.

I would love it if they accepted applicants for 2026, but I highly doubt that happening. They would have opened up their admissions this spring. Spring is almost over for them. I think fall of 2027 is more likely.

I see you have a Masters in Data Science from them. Do you mind telling me more about the program? Maybe some insights before the Phd opens up next year? I would love to hear more. I agree though with spring almost over this is not going to happen most likely. There does seem to be a decent admissions process that takes time and last I heard from them (was about a month ago) they are still doing work to get it setup for more students. It seems very unlikely to be this year and even than it would be fall 2027 if it happens. I remain hopeful not but I could always knock out another degree in the meantime while I wait. I was eyeing the MSML from WGU since I have a lot of transfer credits anyways I could use in the meantime.

I personally enjoyed the program. Keep in mind that I entered the program back in January of 2021. The program started in August of 2020. Back then there were no electives available for the MS in data science. They had 10 courses and you took all 10. 

I was working as a data analyst for health insurance company and wanted to transition to a data scientist position, but my Master's degree and information technology wasn't sufficient. When I asked some of the data scientists at my company if this program's curriculum was sufficient for working there as a data scientist they said yes. 

After graduating I wound up taking a day to scientist position at another company and the degree served me very well. I'm now a senior data scientist at a third company. 

Since I was enrolled in the program while I was in data analyst with the degree in information technology several of the courses were fairly easy for me because they were review.  The python intro course, the SQL course, and the visualization course were all pretty simple for me because I use all of those tools everyday at work. 

The machine learning courses and some of the stats courses were a little bit more challenging though.  To this day I actually use the content from the machine learning courses as part of my prep plan for interviewing for new positions.

[Max13]

The program is still not accepting candidates sadly as of today. I contacted the school and 2026 is still up in the air about whether they actually go through with it. I am still remaining hopeful but 2027 is looking to be the year I can start this program.

I would love it if they accepted applicants for 2026, but I highly doubt that happening. They would have opened up their admissions this spring. Spring is almost over for them. I think fall of 2027 is more likely.

I see you have a Masters in Data Science from them. Do you mind telling me more about the program? Maybe some insights before the Phd opens up next year? I would love to hear more. I agree though with spring almost over this is not going to happen most likely. There does seem to be a decent admissions process that takes time and last I heard from them (was about a month ago) they are still doing work to get it setup for more students. It seems very unlikely to be this year and even than it would be fall 2027 if it happens. I remain hopeful not but I could always knock out another degree in the meantime while I wait. I was eyeing the MSML from WGU since I have a lot of transfer credits anyways I could use in the meantime.

I personally enjoyed the program. Keep in mind that I entered the program back in January of 2021. The program started in August of 2020. Back then there were no electives available for the MS in data science. They had 10 courses and you took all 10. 

I was working as a data analyst for health insurance company and wanted to transition to a data scientist position, but my Master's degree and information technology wasn't sufficient. When I asked some of the data scientists at my company if this program's curriculum was sufficient for working there as a data scientist they said yes. 

After graduating I wound up taking a day to scientist position at another company and the degree served me very well. I'm now a senior data scientist at a third company. 

Since I was enrolled in the program while I was in data analyst with the degree in information technology several of the courses were fairly easy for me because they were review.  The python intro course, the SQL course, and the visualization course were all pretty simple for me because I use all of those tools everyday at work. 

The machine learning courses and some of the stats courses were a little bit more challenging though.  To this day I actually use the content from the machine learning courses as part of my prep plan for interviewing for new positions.

Thank you for the info. I was wondering about this. I had a similar experience at WGU. I kinda hope the Phd program whenever it launches becomes something that is more unique and not just a career pivot degree. That seem to be a trend for many master degrees which is fine but I am now craving something more but also affordable. I think this school will be a great option for that. How did the classes feel to you? Were they traditional or did they offer you the chance to move forward?