Welcome

Congratulations on your acceptance to the online Master of Science in Data Science program from Southern Methodist University. Our online M.S. in Data Science program will equip you with the advanced skills to manage, analyze, mine and understand complex data to make strategic decisions for your organization.

Read on for important next steps for enrollment, field placement, student resources and more.

Complete Your Enrollment

  • Sign and submit your Intent to Enroll document (you will receive this via email).
  • Pay your enrollment deposit (you will receive a link via email) 

Before You Begin Classes

You will need to complete the following tasks before you begin classes. View the instructions below.

Accounts & Technology 

  • Log into your SMU email account using these instructions and set up Duo authentication. Your accounts will become available within 48-72 hours of you paying your deposit and your login information will be sent to you by your enrollment specialist.
    • All school communications will be sent to your University email and you can sync it to your mobile device. 
    • Please note that email forwarding cannot be set up from your University email address to another email address or account.
       
  • Log into your Digital Campus account within 48 hours of receiving the email from OneLogin.
    • Enter your email address as “example@mail.smu.edu.”
    • Technical Support can be reached at TechSupport@digitalcampus.2U.com and/or (+1) 833-740-1273. Save this contact information for your future reference. 
    • Download the app to access the Digital Campus on your mobile device. ​The Degrees with edX Mobile App will allow you to download and store course module videos, text and documents on your mobile device. When you have an internet connection, you will be able to download content and then view it at any time, whether or not you have an internet connection. Any progress you make while in offline mode will sync and update the next time you are online. 
    • Note: You will not be able to take quizzes, submit assignments or respond to discussions while using the Degrees with edX app. 
    • App Name: Degrees with edX
    • Apple Store
    • Google Play Store 
    • Please note: Chrome and Safari are the internet browsers for the program

  • Download Microsoft 365. As a student, you have access to it during your time at SMU.
  • Set up SAS OnDemand
  • Complete the Stats Bridge Course within the Digital Campus. There is a Stats Bridge Course within the Digital Campus that you’re to complete prior to beginning your first term. Through your program’s partnership with 2U, parent company of edX, our digital transformation partner who powers aspects of your program’s technology, support services and more, you are able to take short courses that may aid you in additional program language assistance.
  • Upload an ID photo to my.SMU. Please note that you will be required to have your ID card during Immersion.
  • Bookmark and explore the Student Hub. It will be your one-stop shop for programmatic information ranging from how to fund the program to how to plan ahead for your next semester.

SMU & Program Onboarding 

  • Schedule a Welcome Call with your Student Success Advisor within 48 hours of receiving your Welcome Email using their provided scheduler link.
     
  • Complete the Orientation Course within the Digital Campus, which contains resources available to you as an online student, information about the curriculum, as well as how to get connected with the broader SMU community. 
  • Review the Course Planner to view the outline of your academic degree. Select which plan of study you would like to pursue and inform your Student Success Advisor.
    • There are 33.5 credits total with seven Core courses, three Electives, a two-part Capstone, and one Immersion. 
    • There are two concentrations in our Data Science Program: Decision Analytics or Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. 
    • Use the Course Catalog to gain insight into what to expect from each “DS – Statistics & Data Science Dept” course.  
    • The Class Search site will be updated prior to registration each term and you can identify the day/time classes are offered for your upcoming term. 
       
  • Create your financial plan.
  • Bookmark the Academic Calendar. Reference the current “Graduate & Advanced Studies” calendar.
  • Familiarize yourself with key resources. Examples include the my.SMU Student Essentials Website, and the SMU Student Handbook.
  • Submit your Official Transcripts. If you submitted unofficial transcripts during the admissions process, you will need to submit the Official Transcripts by the end of your first term, or a hold will be placed on your account that will impact your ability to register for your second term in the program. You can find information on how to do so here.

Before Class Starts 

  • Clear any holds in your my.SMU account
    • SFO – Clear your Rights & Responsibilities hold in my.SMU
    • SRK, SRP – Update your personal information
    • SFA, UBR, SFH – Contact the Bursar’s Office to clear any financial holds
    • SRA – Contact your Student Success Advisor if you have an advising hold

  • Register for classes on my.SMU using these instructions.
  • Course access is granted two weeks prior to the start of live sessions.
    • Log into the Digital Campus and review course Syllabi and Order textbooks from our online bookstore.
    • Complete Unit 1 Coursework prior to the first live session of each course. 
    • Pay Tuition by the first day of the term.

  • Schedule a Student Success Planning call to engage in goal-setting with your SSA and wrap up the onboarding process.

After Class Begins 

  • Begin growing your network. Join the DataScience@SMU LinkedIn Group.
  • Check out the Virtual Career Center in the Digital Campus.
  • Continue connecting with your Student Success Advisor throughout your term for any assistance or resources you may need.