MS in Civic Analytics
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
- Baccalaureate Field: Baccalaureate degree holders in any field may be admitted to the program.
- Grade Point Average: Minimum 2.75/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study.
- English Proficiency Additional information on the English proficiency test requirement for international students can be found on the UIC Admissions website. Minimum test scores for this program are:
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Minimum English Competency Test Scores Exam Score Reading Listening Speaking Writing TOEFL iBT (exams taken on or after January 21, 2026) 4.5 4 4.5 5 4.5 TOEFL iBT (exams taken prior to January 21, 2026) 90 21 21 25 23 IELTS Academic 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 PTE Academic 61 51 47 53 56
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- Personal Statement Required. The brief personal statement shall address how the MSCA degree will further the student’s educational and career objectives. The student will also provide an expanded narrative that discusses their familiarity with information technology and applied statistics.
- Additional Materials
- Required: Applicants must submit a resume.
- Optional: Applicants may submit a 5–10 page writing sample and up to three letters of recommendation. These letters should be from instructors familiar with the applicant’s academic training or supervisors familiar with the applicant’s professional experiences.
- Nondegree Applicants Nondegree Applicants must submit an official transcript from their baccalaureate institution, resume, and a letter stating which courses they would like to take and why they feel nondegree admission would be beneficial.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 53.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Core Courses (25 hours) | ||
| Foundations of Public Service | ||
| Introduction to Data Management and Analysis | ||
| Economics for Management and Policy | ||
| Public Policy Development and Process | ||
| Strategic Management: Planning and Measurement | ||
| Capstone and Portfolio in Public Policy, Management, and Analytics | ||
| Managing Your Career | ||
| MSCA Core (20 hours) | ||
| Civic Technology | ||
| Intermediate Data Management and Analysis | ||
| Coding for Civic Data Applications | ||
| AI & Machine Learning | ||
| Advanced Data Analysis I | ||
| Electives (8 hours) | ||
| Select 8 semester hours from the following: a | ||
| Public Program Evaluation | ||
| Advanced Data Analysis II | ||
| Social Network Analysis | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods in Public Administration | ||
| Survey Data Collection Methods: Theory and Practice | ||
| Intermediate GIS for Planning and Policy | ||
| Complexity-based Models for Planning and Policy | ||
| Advanced Visualization Techniques | ||
| Foundations of Analytics and AI for Supply Chain and Operations Management | ||
| Deep Learning and Modern Applications | ||
| Rating Scale and Questionnaire Design and Analysis | ||
| Item Response Theory/Rasch Measurement | ||
| Hierarchical Linear Models | ||
| Non-Parametric Modeling | ||
| Structural Equation Modeling | ||
| Python for Data Science and Large Language Models | ||
| Longitudinal Data Analysis | ||
- a
Another course may be used to fulfill these requirements with the permission of the program director.
- Grade Point Average Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.00/4.00 in the program in order to graduate and must receive a C or higher in all required courses.
- Comprehensive Examination: None
- Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options: Coursework only. No other options available.