Data Science for Social Impact

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Certificate

About the Program

Help shape how technology can be used to advance social justice with a Certificate in Data Science for Social Impact from Case Western Reserve University.

Through our program—offered jointly by Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and , among the top social work and engineering schools in the country—you’ll learn to use data-driven solutions to improve social welfare, while critically assessing the human impact of these digital technologies from an ethical perspective.

With our specialized certificate, you’ll be prepared for careers in consulting, philanthropy, journalism, local government, nonprofit management, urban planning and development, and more.

What to Expect

In 1 year, you’ll earn a certificate from one of the top research universities in the country.

You’ll take classes—such as introduction to data analytics for social impact, exploratory data science, and modeling and prediction—and complete a semester-long research project, learning firsthand how social and data sciences intersect.

Through these courses, you’ll learn how to analyze data—and produce visual communications from that data—to present to stakeholders. You’ll also develop the leadership skills you need to critically inform the ethical use of social algorithms and the analysis of social data in general.

Non-degree students enrolling in our certificate program are not eligible for financial aid.

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A Place for Success

Cleveland is known for its wide array of job opportunities, in addition to its culture, food and low cost of living. And Case Western Reserve is situated in the heart of University Circle, one of the city’s most energetic and culturally robust communities. From our campus, you’re just a short walk to some of Cleveland and University Circle’s most outstanding destinations—the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Botanical Garden, Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, and Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

By the Numbers

#12

school of social work, U.S. News & World Report

multidisciplinary research and training centers

1st

professional graduate school of social work in America, founded in 1915

credit hours

8:1

student-to-faculty ratio, one of the nation’s lowest

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Learn More About the Mandel School

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Admission Requirements

Our program is geared toward degree-seeking students in graduate programs at Case Western Reserve and non-degree students interested in earning a credential in data science.

The curriculum is open to all students enrolled in a graduate program at CWRU who have taken an introductory statistics class. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.00 for the digital credential to be awarded. This is not a transcriptable certificate.

The certificate begins in the spring term. Non-degree students can through the Mandel School's online application system. Applications are due Dec. 15.

The application typically requires:

A one-page essay stating the reasons why you wish to enroll
All non-degree applicants must submit a final official degree conferring transcript with the baccalaureate degree (Case Western Reserve graduates do not need to submit transcripts).