The MSDS(Stat) program requires students to participate in extensive practical training as an essential component of the degree program. The program requires all full-time students to participate in ongoing practical training immediately following their initial enrollment. The requirement does not require registration for additional credit but does require registration by ALL students, regardless of citizenship or visa status, for the zero credit practical training course 16:954:690 for each semester or summer session in which a student does an internship or coop. Practical training can be fulfilled by any one of the following methods with off-campus internships or coops being strongly recommended as the preferred mode of fulfilling the practical training requirement:
- Strongly Recommended: While not required, an off-campus Internship or Co-op position with an employer in the data science industry or data science related department of a company is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED as the most preferred component of Practical Training. The position should be related to the Data Science curriculum and is at least four weeks in duration. The student is required to submit a written report after the internship ends. If approved by the program director, such an internship can be part of an elective course under 16:954:683 (independent study) and earn credits towards degree.
- Regular full-time position with an off-campus employer in the data science industry or data science related department of a company. The position should be related to data science and be at least four weeks in duration. If approved by the program director, such employment can be part of an elective course under 16:954:683 (independent study) and earn credits towards degree.
- On-campus research, or research project participation, where the research or project is related to data science under the sponsorship of one or more of a data science institution, industry practitioner or a Rutgers faculty member (regular or adjunct). A detailed written report on the research or project participation should be submitted and approved by a faculty member. If approved by the program director, such research or project participation can be part of an elective course under 16:954:683 (independent study) and earn credits towards degree.
- Participation in the MSDS(Stat) practitioner’s seminar series or MSDS(Stat) career workshop series. Students must attend at least four of the seminars from either series. A written report should be submitted based on one of the technical seminars. The report should summarize the problems, ideas, approaches and results learned from the seminar, and provide additional information from further reading and research of the topic.
International students should be aware of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services rules governing off-campus employment in the United States for students with F-1 visas. Please consult staff members at Rutgers Global – International Student and Scholar Services for advice well in advance of internship search and employment. Also, international students should attend an Off--Campus Employment Workshop early in the semester prior to their beginning CPT employment. For more information on CPT and the workshop schedule, check the Rutgers Global – International Student and Scholar Services webpage here. In addition, depending on the availability of the MSDS(Stat) Global Services Center advisor, a customized CPT workshop for MSDS(Stat) students will be scheduled in each semester.