Data Science Certificate
Students in the Data Science Certificate will develop abilities such as data management, reproducibility, modeling strategies, and ethical considerations of data science to be paired with their knowledge gained from their major or domain area. The certificate is a great fit for students who like programming, want to learn data analysis, and seek to be high-end users of data science tools in domain areas.
Data Science is one of the fastest growing career sectors in Wisconsin and across the nation. By its very nature, the field of data science is one that teaches novel and cutting-edge ways to engage in the “continual sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”
The Data Science certificate is only available to UW–Madison undergraduate students who are pursuing their bachelor’s degree. You can find the certificate curriculum in the Guide here. Questions can be directed to dscert@stat.wisc.edu.
Planning Your Data Science Certificate
Click here to view the Fall 2026 enrollment newsletter.
Click here to view the announcement of a NEW Data Science Ethics Course, PHILOS 244.
Please go to https://enroll.wisc.edu to enroll in courses. You can visit this website if you need assistance navigating Course Search & Enroll. Students with questions are encouraged to reach out to the Data Science advisors via email, an appointment, or drop in advising as listed above.
The Data Science certificate requires a total of five courses that add up to at least 16 credits. Please view the full curriculum in the Guide page here. Scroll down to the next section to read out about how to declare the certificate.
If you are interested in adding the Data Science certificate with another Stats/DS program, please review this combination chart first to see which combinations are allowable and not allowable.
We recommend taking 1-2 Data Science courses each fall/spring term (one Data Science course maximum for summer term). Remember that a certificate is meant to compliment your major!
We have sample course plans for the following majors (click the major to view) – Economics, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Biology, Pharmacology/Toxicology, and Consumer Behavior & Market place Studies.
Pacing for completing the certificate in three semesters.
- (Semester 1) Programming; (Semester 2) Programming + Elective; (Semester 3) Elective + L I S 461
Pacing for completing the certificate in five semesters.
- (Semester 1) Programming, (Semester 2) Programming; (Semester 3) Elective; (Semester 4) Elective; (Semester 5) L I S 461
To view past weekly newsletters, please navigate to this page.
Students must apply for graduation via their Student Center to indicate that they are nearing completion of their degree. See the Office of the Registrar’s website for information and instructions about this process. We strongly recommend that you apply for graduation as soon as possible, so an advisor can review your DARS and say everything is okay.
Run a DARS report to ensure you are meeting all requirements to graduate. Talk to your advisor if you find deficiencies or have questions.
It is normal to NOT see Data Science certificate listed on your graduation application. You do NOT need to take extra steps as your graduation application applies to all your declared majors and certificates. Please note that certificates do not appear on your diploma and only on your transcript.
If you need to gain an electronic copy of your degree, please seek the following resources.
- How to view your degree verification
- How to obtain a degree verification letter
- Posting of your degree
Review the Commencement website for graduation check lists & celebrate! Information on the Department of Statistics graduation celebration is available here.
How to Declare the Data Science Certificate
Declaration Eligibility
To declare, a student must…
- Be enrolled in an active undergraduate degree program at UW–Madison
- Not declared in the Data Science major*
- Not declared in the Engineering Data Analytics certificate
- Have met progression if in the College of Engineering*
*See more details in the Important Declaration Notes below.
Declaration Process
Before Declaration
- Review the DS certificate Guide Requirements or run a “What-If ” DARS Report to assess your remaining requirements.
- Review the Department of Statistics Advising Expectations webpage
- Self-enroll in the Data Science Certificate Advising Canvas Course. Complete modules 1-3, pass the Canvas quiz with 100%, and the submit online declaration form.
Declaration Advising
- You do not need to meet with an advisor to declare. Please check if the declaration notes below apply to you and take appropriate action.
- More questions? Need course enrollment advice? Schedule a Starfish appointment or send an email.
Important Declaration Notes
- Students who have one year or less remaining at UW–Madison MUST schedule an advising appointment. We must determine if finishing the certificate is feasible before you graduate.
- Are you (1) switching from the Data Science major to the certificate and (2) enrolled in your last DS certificate course in the current term?
- Submit the DS major cancellation form.
- Submit the DS cert declaration form.
- Are you (1) switching from the Data Science major to the certificate and (2) NOT enrolled in your last DS certificate course in the current term?
- Submit the DS major cancellation form.
- Self-enroll in the canvas course.
- Engineering students are required to meet progression in an engineering program before declaring additional majors or certificates. Students in this situation who need to declare for data science course access but cannot, should schedule a meeting with a Data Science advisor.
Cancellation and Switch Processes
Advising and Contact Information
Location
We are located on the second floor in the Student Advising and Support Services suite 2580 in Morgridge Hall. Directions:
- Go up the main staircase
- Turn right at the CAI Commons Information Desk
- Walk through the CAI Commons towards the glass doors
Use the UW Campus Map to see where our building is located.
Check- in for your appointment
When you schedule an appointment on the Statistics & Data Science Certificate Starfish Profile, you will see that there is a ‘virtual waiting room’. This means that students who have scheduled in-person appointments have checked in and are waiting for their meeting to start. It DOES NOT mean that we have an open queue for virtual drop-in appointments.
Process
When you arrive to the Student Advising and Support Services suite (SASS, 2580 Morgridge Hall), use either the Starfish Kiosk via either the iPad stand or the iPad on the front desk. Enter your name and 10-digit campus ID. Advisors will be notified that you have arrived and will come to get you at the start of your appointment.
Virtual appointments (including drop-ins) do NOT require a sign-in. This process is for in-person appointments only.
Plia is on family leave in the fall 2026 semester, please meet with Yiou for Data Science certificate advising.
Plia Xiong
2580N Morgridge Hall, dscert@stat.wisc.edu
Plia joined the Statistics Department in summer 2021. She is a Badger Alumna with a B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies. She enjoys volleyball, badminton, watching movies, and singing.
Yiou Dai
2580R Morgridge Hall, dscert@stat.wisc.edu
Yiou (pronounced EE-oh) joined the Department of Statistics in August 2025. She earned her master’s degree in Statistics from Louisiana State University and previously worked as a data analyst at the Louisiana Department of Health.
Yiou is excited to be back in Madison and to begin her new role as a Data Science Certificate Advisor. She looks forward to working with students and helping them explore their academic and professional goals. Outside of work, Yiou enjoys biking along the lakeshore—a favorite pastime from when she lived in Madison a decade ago.
Individual appointments are great for multiple questions surrounding course planning or exploring if the Data Science certificate is right for them.
UW–Madison students can schedule appointments on Starfish.
Fall 2026 drop-in advising is available on Wednesdays, from 1-2:00pm on Zoom from September 2nd- December 9th. There will be no drop-ins Wednesday, November 25 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
You will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Please have your 10-digit campus ID number ready and be prepared to wait up to 20 minutes to speak with an advisor.
Zoom Drop-in Advising is a set time where students can seek advising without scheduling an appointment. This is best for quick questions like reviewing academic course plans or graduation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Certificate Program Questions
The Data Science certificate provides foundational data analysis and programming skills for high-end users of data science tools. It does not require any calculus, only fulfillment of Quantitative Reasoning A. Having some math or algebra background is helpful. It is a great fit if you want to apply your Data Science skills to specific areas such as your major or a career field you are interested in pursuing post-graduation.
The Data Science major combines advanced math and programming skills to solve data rich problems, develop data science tools and produce meaningful insights from data. It requires Calculus 1, Calculus 2, and a linear algebra course. It is a great fit if you are interested in analyzing data on all scales such as building algorithms, math underpinnings, and video programming.
In summary, the certificate is a good fit if you will be a high-end user of data tools and the major is a good fit if you want to be a developer of data tools.
If you want to learn data analysis, you can do that with learning R and Python with the Data Science certificate. If you want to develop more computer science skills like computer engineering, software design, etc. then it would make sense to do the Computer Science certificate to learn Java.
In summary, DS works more in analytics and using data to answer questions whereas CS is more technical application and web development in creating computing tools. It really depends on what skill set you hope to develop.
Statistics provides a mathematical approach to answering data questions at all scales. The Statistics certificate is a good fit for students who want to develop knowledge in statistical skills and analysis to apply it to their major or field (e.g. conducting field trials). Students are required to be proficient in math and statistics.
Data Science provides a computational approach to answering large data questions. The Data Science certificate provides foundational data analysis and programming skills for high-end users of data science tools (e.g. doing large scale genomic analysis). It does not require any calculus, only fulfillment of Quantitative Reasoning A but having some math or algebra background is helpful.
Both certificates provide skills in extracting and analyzing data. It really depends on if you want to develop statistical analysis skills with a foundational background in math or data analysis skills with a foundation in computer programming.
There are no repercussions for cancelling the Data Science certificate. Majors and certificates only appear on your transcript for the academic terms for which you are declared in (there is no DR notation like a dropped course). Students are encouraged to submit the cancellation form if they no longer wish to continue the certificate.
Certificate Requirements
Completion of math or statistics is not a requirement to declare the certificate. However, having completion of calculus 1 or introductory statistics can provide more elective options so that you are able to complete the certificate. If math or statistics is a concern, please schedule a Starfish appointment with the certificate advisor to discuss your course options.
Math: We do not require any level of math, only fulfillment of Quantitative Reasoning A (QR-A). If you plan to enroll in STAT 340 Data Science Modeling II to fulfill an elective requirement, you must have MATH 211, 217, 221, or 275 completed.
Statistics: The only introductory statistics course that counts for the certificate is STAT 240. If you have taken STAT 301 or 371, they meet requisites for some of our domain electives. Click here to view the differences between our introductory statistics courses.
Completion of a programming course is not a requirement to declare the certificate.
All three of our introductory programming courses (COMP SCI 220, STAT 240, and E C E 204) presume no previous programming or coding background. COMP SCI 220 and E C E 204 are Python programming courses and STAT 240 is R programming.
Students who have COMP SCI 300 completed, should take COMP SCI 320 as their foundation course.
Students are required to take two electives that add up to at least six credits. There are two options for completing certificate electives:
- Option 1: Take one fundamental elective and one domain elective
- Option 2: Take two fundamental electives
Fundamental electives build more directly on existing skills of foundation courses whereas Domain electives where you use your DS skills to apply it to a specific area or field.
Yes, you are welcome to take courses that count for both your major and the Data Science certificate.
Please send a syllabi and your rationale for counting it as an elective to the dscert@stat.wisc.edu email. Your request will then be forwarded to the Data Science Programs Committee (DSPC) for review. The decision process will take 2-3 months approximately.
Courses & Enrollment
We do not allow any substitutions for STAT 240. Click here to view the differences between our introductory statistics courses.
Though STAT 301, 324, and 371 teaches introductory statistics, STAT 240 different because it is a 4 credit course focusing in depth on the R programming language, data management, analysis, and modeling. Students who have taken STAT 324 previously will be well prepared for STAT 240 and will learn additional concepts that will prepare them for future courses such as STAT 340.
If your major requires a Statistics course and you are interested in the Data Science certificate, please check with your major advisor if STAT 240 can fulfill your major’s statistics requirement.
Please note that STAT 240 is not a required course for the certificate. If you wish to not take STAT 240, you can opt to take E C E 204 and COMP SCI 220 to fulfill the two courses needed for the foundation programming requirement.
COMP SCI 220 is first semester Python where you will learn the Python program and data management. COMP SCI 300 is Java II where you will learn the Java program and build basic computer science skills to prepare you for future CS courses. COMP SCI 320 is second semester Python which requires completion or COMP SCI 300 or COMP SCI 220.
We do not recommend taking COMP SCI 220 and 300 in the same semester because both are intensive coding classes with similar content. Students who love coding are welcome to take the Python sequence of COMP SCI 220 and 320. By taking this route, COMP SCI 220 will fulfill a foundation programming requirement and COMP SCI 320 will fulfill an elective for the Data Science certificate.
Students who have taken COMP SCI 300 before or in the Computer Sciences major, can take COMP SCI 320. By taking only COMP SCI 320 (and not 220), then COMP SCI 320 will fulfill a foundation programming requirement. You will then need to identify two elective courses, one programming course, and data ethics to finish the rest of the Data Science certificate requirements. A reminder that COMP SCI 320 can only count for either foundation programming or elective, not both.
Effective Fall 2026, L I S 461 Data and Algorithms: Ethics and Policy will be a 3-credit, lecture only course that counts for Humanities and L I S 462 Data and Algorithms: Ethics and Policy (Communications Intensive) will permanently be a 4-credit, lecture and discussion course that counts for Communication B and Humanities. Priority to enroll in L I S 461 and 462 is reserved for declared Information Science major, Data Science major, and Data Science certificate students.
PHILOS 244 is a 4-credit course that counts for Humanities; it does not require Data Science certificate declaration to enroll.
Due to course and instructor capacity, students cannot enroll in data ethics courses until their final 1-2 semesters at UW–Madison.
First think about what field or domain area you wish to learn more about or apply your foundational DS skills to. View all of our elective course options on the Guide here and note any course titles or course descriptions that speak to your interests. It is also important to view if you meet the prerequisites to enroll in those elective courses so that you can plan ahead if you are missing a prerequisite.
If you have questions or concerns about meeting prerequisites for elective courses, schedule a Starfish appointment with the certificate advisor to discuss your options. Always consult the semesterly enrollment newsletter (see planning your data science certificate section above) in case there are newly approved elective courses that might better fit your interests or graduation timeline.
Resources & Involvement
Please see the Department of Statistics page on undergraduate research for more information about how to find research opportunities as an undergraduate at UW–Madison. Students can also explore the following research resources too.
- Discovery Portal http://discoveryportal.org/default.aspx
- UW Experts Guide http://experts.news.wisc.edu/
- UW Departments http://www.wisc.edu/academics/
- UW Research Centers https://research.wisc.edu/centers-cores/more-uw-research-centers-and-programs/
- Student Job Center https://jobcenter.wisc.edu/
- WISCURDS https://dsi.wisc.edu/wiscurds/
Student organizations are a great way for Data Science students to get involved on campus. Find a list of current student organizations on the Wisconsin Involvement Network (WIN) website. Use keywords that interest you when searching for organizations like “data,” “statistics,” “computer science,” “coding,” etc. Several student orgs that DS students may take an interest in are:
- dotData (Data Science Club)
- Undergraduate Statistics Club of UW–Madison
- Economics Student Association
- Girls Who Code
- Sports Analytics Club
You may also check out the CDIS student organizations page here.
A great place to start is exploring the Major and Certificate Advising Page for Data Science. At the bottom of that page, there is a list of study abroad programs that students have been able to earn credits for the Data Science certificate. Typical courses that Data Science students take abroad are breadth courses, language courses, and data science elective courses including upper level Computer Sciences, Mathematics, or Statistics courses. We also recommend consulting with Study Abroad advisors for assistance with identifying and applying to programs that may have relevant Data Science courses.
SuccessWorks is the career services unit for L&S students and a fantastic partner and resource for career and internship assistance. Data Science is part of the Technology, Data & Analytics Career Community.
We have a Career Pathways canvas course for students interested in graduate school and career exploration in Data Science.
We strongly recommend checking out our Student Career Resources page for great resources and reading the weekly newsletter (once you are declared) for upcoming events.