New master’s degree program trains students to use advanced data science tools to analyze and understand human behavior

The explosion of data science has changed the ways companies, government offices and nonprofit organizations track how people purchase and utilize goods, interact with each other, comply with regulations and support philanthropy and social causes.

The new Master of Science in Psychology: Data Science in Human Behavior at UW–Madison fills a large and growing gap in the marketplace by training students with an undergraduate degree in a core behavioral science to use advanced data science tools and specialized knowledge to solve applied problems related to how humans act.

Machine teaching researchers collaborate in the hallway

Students will learn to design and execute data analyses relevant to questions about human psychology and behavior. As part of this, students will receive rigorous training in statistics and learn how to apply machine learning and other contemporary data science tools to large datasets. Lastly, students will learn how to interpret and present their findings to a non-expert audience.

During the final semester, students will be placed with a company or organization where they will gain real-world experience by conducting an applied capstone project.

Admission requirements, sample curriculum, and more can be found here. Science advances best when all minds contribute, and all voices are heard. Data Science in Human Behavior seeks minds and voices that have been marginalized in STEM fields, including those of women and members of under-represented minority groups. 

The first term for enrollment in Fall 2022. Learn more about the program at these upcoming webinars and Faculty Fridays:

  • September 21st, 2021 | 12-12:30pm CST | Webinar: Program Overview with Tim Rogers 
    Interested in using data science tools to solve applied problems related to how humans act? Join program director Tim Rogers to get more information about the Data Science in Human Behavior Master’s Program curriculum, application process and potential career paths. Register here.

  • October 8th, 2021 | 1-2pm CST | Faculty Fridays
    Join the UW-Madison Data Science in Human Behavior Master’s Program Faculty for an open office hour on Fridays from 1-2pm CST. During this time, anyone can visit the Zoom room to share conversations and ask questions. Feel Free to come late or leave early. Faculty Fridays will happen each month on October 8th, November 5th, and December 10th. We look forward to meeting you!

  • November 5th, 2021 | 1-2pm CST | Faculty Fridays
    Join the UW-Madison Data Science in Human Behavior Master’s Program Faculty for an open office hour on Fridays from 1-2pm CST. During this time, anyone can visit the Zoom room to share conversations and ask questions. Feel Free to come late or leave early. Faculty Fridays will happen each month on October 8th, November 5th, and December 10th. We look forward to meeting you!

  • November 17th, 2021 | 10-10:30am CST | Webinar: Innovation
    Want to learn more about the types of capstone projects and innovations in your field? Join a panel of industry, non-profit, and government agency partners that will describe the kinds of problems that folks with expertise in Data Science and Human Behavior will be able to solve. Come to this webinar to learn more about hands-on experience and potential career paths.

  •  December 1st, 2021 | 12:30-1pm CST | Webinar: Application Assistance
    Join Program Manager Caitlin Iverson and Enrollment Coach Pat Walsh to learn strategies to make your master’s in Psychology: Data Science in Human Behavior application stand out.

  • December 8th, 2021 | TBD  | Webinar: Faculty Spotlight
    Join a panel of Data Science and Human Behavior faculty to hear about their expertise in this field, perspectives on this new program, and what you will learn in this program. This faculty spotlight panel will include (alphabetical order): John Curtin (teaching Applied Machine Learning for Behavioral Data Science), Gary Lupyan (teaching Programming for Human Behavioral Data Science), Karen Schloss (teaching elective: Information Visualization) and Emily Ward (teaching elective: Visual Perception & Cognition).

  • December 10th, 2021 | 1-2pm CST | Faculty Fridays
    Join the UW-Madison Data Science in Human Behavior Master’s Program Faculty for an open office hour on Fridays from 1-2pm CST. During this time, anyone can visit the Zoom room to share conversations and ask questions. Feel Free to come late or leave early. Faculty Fridays will happen each month on October 8th, November 5th, and December 10th. We look forward to meeting you!