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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 their major or minor in OPUS at any time, but DSci declarations are not processed until the student meets with the Undergraduate Program Coordinator. There are four onboarding dates each year (beginning of fall semester, beginning of spring semester, before registration in fall, before registration in spring).

Students may only pursue two degrees if one is a BBA. Students may pursue two majors or one major and one minor. A maximum of 2 courses may double count between any two programs. Some combinations are not allowed due to overlap. Students should consult the Undergraduate Program Coordinator for approval.

Choosing a Track

Students should meet with their DSci faculty advisor listed in OPUS. A list of recommended disciplinary courses is available from the DSci program.

Students should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss options.

Course Exemptions

No. AP Statistics only provides general graduation credit. It does not satisfy DATASCI 100 or other DSci degree requirements. 

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. However, we encourage students who intend to pursue this course of study to declare a DataSci major as soon as possible, prior to admission to the BBA program. We cannot stress how important it is to declare DSci early.

No. Admission decisions for the Business School are based solely on the BBA admissions criteria. Starting DSci coursework early can help students make progress even if not admitted.

No. Students earn one degree based on their primary course of study. The transcript will indicate “BBA + Data Science Co-Major.”

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.

  • 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. For example, if you pursue an AMS and a Political Science major, no more than two courses can fulfill requirements for both.
  • 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.

  • The BBA + DataSci program is functionally a DataSci major with a BUS track. If you would like to declare a separate track for your DataSci major instead, you will need to work on a DataSci major with your chosen track in the college in addition to your BBA major.
  • Please note- the BBA + DataSci co-major can only be declared by students already admitted to the Business School. A regular DataSci major (i.e., with an Emory College track, such as Psychology, Economics, etc.) may be declared by any students at Emory University.
  • If a student wants to pursue a double major with the BBA and a DataSci major with another track, the student must complete an additional set of courses required by the specific track. Please note that a double major in BBA and DataSci with a college track does not require extra Business courses.

Graduation 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. You need at least 50 credit hours to complete the Data Science 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.