An exciting and rewarding degree program, the Bachelor of Science in Data Science trains students to use scientific methods, algorithm development, and technology to extract knowledge and insights from data to solve analytically complex problems. This interdisciplinary field lies at the intersection between domain knowledge, math and statistics, and computer science. Students will learn domain-based knowledge to understand the data and the patterns/questions that they will be looking to analyze. Mathematical modeling and statistics are at the core of the algorithms used for data analysis. Computer programming and machine learning execute these algorithms and visualize the results. Students will learn specialized skills including data mining, data wrangling, machine learning, data visualization, and distributed computing. Data science professionals are rewarded for their highly specialized skill set with competitive salaries, great job opportunities, and unusual flexibility, at both big and small companies across many industries.
This degree is offered through St. Peter’s University (SPU).
Partner college(s):

Program Location(s):
- Live Online
FAQ
With the exponential growth of big data over the past few years, the need for data scientists becomes more and more pronounced. Companies seeking this talent represent virtually every industry. Oracle, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, GE, State Farm, Walmart, Facebook, AT&T, Intel, IBM, Nielsen and numerous others all show up prominently in job postings for data scientists.
When searching for job postings, there are a number of related job titles, including data analyst, data scientist, data mining engineer, machine learning engineer, data architect, commercial intelligence manager, and competitive intelligence analyst.
The average salary for a data scientist in the United States is approximately $120,000 (Indeed.com). Other popular positions in the field include:
- Business intelligence analyst (average salary $100,000)
- Data analyst (average salary $78,000)
- Data mining engineer (average salary $100,000)
- Data warehouse architect (average salary $133,000)
- Machine learning engineer (average salary $140,000)
A degree in computer science focuses on learning coding languages and how software operates. It usually leads to careers in IT or software engineering. Data science, while it includes learning coding languages, is more focused on the algorithms that detect patterns in data to predict future outcomes and answer domain-based questions.
We are proud to have partnered with St. Peter’s University, a highly ranked university featuring an outstanding Department of Data Science. Founded in 1872, the university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 2,600 undergraduate and 800 graduate students. US News and World Report rated St. Peter’s among the “Top 100 Best Regional Universities in the North,” and Money Magazine called it the “Most Transformative School” in the state of New Jersey.
St. Peter’s University is regionally accredited, which means that its degrees are accepted by graduate programs nationwide. Students have used the bachelor’s degree earned at SPU for admittance into master’s programs in a wide variety of institutions. For specific information about SPU’s accreditation, please see here.
This degree can be completed in as few as six semesters (24 months).
Yes. Up to 36 seminary credits may be accepted toward the degree program.
SPU prides itself on offering superior education along with outstanding student support in a culturally sensitive environment. The school is very understanding of the unique requirements and religious sensitivities of the students recruited by Sara Schenirer and has worked diligently to accommodate our requests to ensure an environment suitable for Bais Yaakov graduates.
For students and parents alike, the world of college and degrees can be confusing, costly, and difficult to navigate. We pride ourselves on the high-quality educational institutions we partner with, all of whom offer accredited degrees, an uncompromised environment, and first-rate faculty. Most of all, we provide exceptional warmth and support to every single SPU student at Sara Schenirer. We work diligently to offer personal guidance to each student and help ensure their success and timely graduation.
- High School Transcript (minimum GPA of 3.0)
- A 3-credit Programming prerequisite is required for acceptance into the program, which must be completed prior to the start of the semester. Your coordinator will notify you about how to earn these credits at your interview (if applicable).
The Office of the Registrar at SPU grants transfer credits to students who have completed courses at accredited institutions and have provided their official transcripts for evaluation. The Office of the Registrar evaluates and accepts only credits that are applicable to the student’s program of study and reflect a final grade of ‘C’ or above. Accepted credits are applied to the student’s record, reflected on their academic planner, but not calculated into their St. Peter’s University GPA. The transfer credit planner will also be shared with the student’s advisor to assist with schedule creation and developing a graduation plan.
All classes are offered live-online on Sunday and one/ two weeknights each week.
Since this program is entirely online, location is not a factor unless you relocate to a time zone that does not accommodate the class times. Additionally, since SPU is an accredited college, credits can be transferred to colleges and universities worldwide, enabling students to complete their degrees elsewhere should they choose. Relocating to Eretz Yisroel requires separate arrangements that will need to be coordinated on an individual basis.
- An affordable degree program
- In-class learning with an online component
- Highly personalized student mentoring
- Generous transfer credit program
- Bais Yaakov student-friendly environment
- Exemplary education with outstanding instructors
The price for the full program is $36,000 before scholarships are applied. All students are eligible for scholarships. After applying scholarships, the maximum out-of-pocket expense for any student is $24,000.
To make this degree program as affordable and accessible as possible, St. Peter’s University has agreed to substantially reduce the cost for students who register through Sara Schenirer. The cost varies based on the number of credits the student takes.
For eligible students, the cost of the college courses may be entirely covered by financial aid.
Students who are not eligible for financial aid will still be entitled to significant grants and/ or scholarships that substantially reduce the cost of the degree.
Additionally, payment plans are available each semester.
Our advisors will be glad to explain the cost structure to you so you can see for yourself how truly affordable this degree program can be for you.
Eligible students can receive financial aid for the portion of the degree taken through SPU.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed online at this link. Be sure to complete the correct year’s application. SPU’s FAFSA school code is 002638. Students should write “Title IV Code 002638 Saint Peter’s University, 2641 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ” in the appropriate section of the FAFSA.
For New Jersey State residents only: Your FAFSA information will be sent to HESAA to determine TAG eligibility. HESAA (NJFAMS) will send an email prompting you to create an account to access the TAG information.
To request an application, please submit this form.
When completing the application, you will also be requested to supply:
- High School Transcript
- Personal Statement
- Two References
- Personal Photograph
- Non-refundable Application Fee
Even if you do not have these available at the time of application, we recommend completing your application immediately and submitting the requested documents as they become available.
Once your application has been submitted with all the required documents, an interview will be scheduled to continue the admissions process.
Please note: A 3-credit Programming prerequisite is required for acceptance into the program, which must be completed prior to the start of the semester. Your coordinator will notify you about how to earn these credits at your interview (if applicable).
Registration is now open for the Fall (September) semester. Applications are accepted until approximately one month before the start of the semester. Please inquire for exact dates.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to call our office at 718-633-8557 ext. 37 or email [email protected], and as always, we will be happy to assist you further.
Course Sampling
Core Curriculum
English I
English II
Math
Calculus I
Calculus II
Advanced Statistics Using R
Introduction to Probability Statistics Using R
Computer Science
Introduction to Programming
Programming Fundamentals
Data Structures and Algorithms
Database System Design and Management
Information Retrieval
Domain Knowledge
Business/ Economics/ Finance Basics
Healthcare Basics
Data Science Core
Introduction to Data Science
Information and Data Management I and II
Machine Learning Fundamentals
Data Mining
Data Visualization
Natural Language Processing
Career Paths
Career opportunities for graduates of this program include data scientist, data analyst, machine learning engineer, data or infrastructure architect, data engineer, business intelligence (BI) developer, statistician, and much more.