Advance Your Career with the Certificate in Foundational Data Science
Offered by UC San Diego, 100% Online, Transferable Graduate Degree Credits
In today’s data-driven world, organizations across every industry are seeking professionals who can turn raw information into actionable insights. UC San Diego’s Advanced Certificate in Foundational Data Science is designed to meet this demand by equipping professionals with critical skills in programming, statistics, and machine learning—all delivered through a fully online, flexible format.
This advanced certificate program blends theory and application, helping students build a solid foundation in the tools and techniques of modern data science. Through a hands-on curriculum, you’ll learn to:
- Collect, clean, and transform raw data into structured formats for analysis
- Apply statistical and machine learning methods to uncover patterns and support data-driven decisions
- Use Python to develop analytical workflows and predictive models
Whether you’re looking to upskill, re-skill, or prepare for further graduate study, this certificate offers a high-impact, career-relevant pathway. Courses in the program are developed by the same world-class faculty behind UC San Diego’s Master of Data Science (MDS) program and made available to non-degree students by the Division of Extended Studies. Once the three courses are completed, credit may be transferred into the MDS program, for an additional fee, if subsequently admitted to that program.
Why Choose This Program?
- Taught by UC San Diego faculty in data science
- Fully online and mostly asynchronous—study when and where it works for you
- Designed for working professionals across sectors
- Academic credit is transferable to the MDS program
Join the growing network of data-savvy professionals and position yourself at the forefront of innovation.
Administrative Note
The School of Computing, Information and Data Sciences (SCIDS) and the Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute (HDSI), are collaborating with UC San Diego’s Division of Extended Studies (DES) to administer the Foundational Data Science certificate program. Application processing, enrollment, payment and payment plans, and verification of program completion are handled by DES staff. Admissions decisions, course content, faculty selection and academic oversight are handled by SCIDS faculty and staff.
Start your journey into data science today.
Submit this interest form to stay up to date:
Certificate Program Interest
Or, contact us via email: FDS-Cert@ucsd.edu
Curriculum
The Advanced Certificate in Foundational Data Science curriculum is designed to provide a rigorous yet accessible pathway into the core areas of data science. Through a carefully curated sequence of three graduate-level courses, students gain hands-on experience with essential tools and techniques used in the field—including programming in Python, statistical analysis, and machine learning. Each course builds foundational knowledge while emphasizing practical application, ensuring that students are equipped to handle real-world data challenges across industries.
Program Courses
- DSC 207R: Python for Data Science (4 units)
- DSC 215R: Foundations of Probability and Statistics for Data Science (4 units)
- DSC 255R: Machine Learning Fundamentals (4 units)
The program can be completed over two or three quarters. DSC 255R can only be taken after the other two courses are completed. Possible course sequences are as follows:
Fall Start
|
FALL QTR |
WINTER QTR |
SPRING QTR |
|
DSC 207R |
DSC 215R |
DSC 255R |
|
OR |
||
|
DSC 207R, and |
DSC 255R |
Winter Start
|
FALL QTR |
WINTER QTR |
SPRING QTR |
|
n/a |
DSC 207R, and |
DSC 255R |
Admissions
Prospective students can apply to begin the Advanced Certificate in Foundational Data Science in either the Fall quarter (September) or the Winter quarter (January). Application requirements and deadlines are listed below.
Please note, program capacity is currently limited so students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Deadlines and Important Dates
|
Fall 2025 Deadline |
Winter 2026 Deadline |
|
|
Application Open: |
August 1, 2025 |
October 15, 2025 |
|
Application Deadline: |
August 31, 2025 |
November 30, 2025 |
|
Enrollment Deadline: |
September 21, 2025 |
January 1, 2025 |
|
Classes Start: |
September 25, 2025 |
January 5, 2025 |
Admissions Eligibility
Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. Any undergraduate major is eligible to apply to this program; however, incoming students will need to have completed an introductory programming course, multivariate calculus, and linear algebra. These requirements can be completed through coursework available through UC San Diego’s Division of Extended Studies. Please see (Link) for more information.
International students are eligible to apply to this program. However, as a fully online and part-time non-degree program, students are not eligible for F-1 visa status for study within the United States nor for employment authorization in the United States through Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT.
Application Requirements
- Complete the Program Application Form and Pay Application Fee
- Statement of Purpose
- CV/Resume
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (community colleges, universities, etc.). These can be unofficial transcripts.
- International applicants only: Scores for the TOEFL or IELTS exam to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
Financial
Enrollment in the program and processing of tuition and fees is done via the Division of Extended Studies on behalf of the School of Computing, Information and Data Sciences. Below is a list applicable fees, in U.S. dollars:
- Application Fee: $50 (non refundable)
- Certificate Fee: $125 (non refundable)
- Tuition/Registration Fee: $625 per unit ($2,500 per 4-unit course)
- Academic Computing and Media Services (ACMS) Fee: $50 per quarter
- Required Textbooks Costs: $0 (all required readings will be made available for free)
All fees are subject to change.
A student taking two quarters to complete the 12 units in the program, would therefore expect an all-in cost (including the application and certificate processing fees) of $7,775.
Payment plans are available. Information on payment plan options will be sent at the time of admission along with enrollment instructions.
If transferring these credits into the master's program, a $125 per unit fee ($500 per 4-unit course) is assessed during the first term of the master's degree.