January
Admissions Overview
The UC Berkeley School of Information’s online master’s programs offer three start dates throughout the year (January, May, and September). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received, so you are encouraged to submit your completed application as early as possible. Talk to your enrollment specialist about potential application fee waivers.
Start Dates
May
September
Application Deadlines
January 2027
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
Early Action Deadline | August 5, 2026 |
Priority Application Deadline | September 2, 2026 |
Final Application Deadline | September 23, 2026 |
Classes Start | January 2027 |
Application Requirements
To complete your application, you must submit the following:
- Online application
- Transcripts from all educational institutions attended
- Statement of Purpose and additional admissions statements (Recommended length: 1-2 pages)
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- TOEFL Scores (if applicable)
- Application fee of $135 for domestic applicants or $155 for international applicants
- GRE or GMAT scores (optional)
Please note that prospective students are expected to submit original, authentic answers for their applications and are strongly discouraged from relying on AI tools for submissions.
Admissions Requirements
Applications are evaluated holistically based on prior academic performance, work experience, essays, letters of recommendation, and goals that align with the program. The UC Berkeley School of Information seeks students with the academic abilities to meet the demands of a rigorous graduate program. To be eligible for the online master’s programs, you should demonstrate the following:
A bachelor’s degree
You should have a superior scholastic record — typically a GPA above 3.0. The recognized equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is also required.
Many schools offer electronic transcript delivery through their own systems or third-party vendors. If available, request that your transcript be sent electronically to the address below to expedite processing.
Cybersecurity (MICS): appsvcs@cybersecurity.berkeley.edu
Data Science (MIDS): applicationservices@datascience.berkeley.edu
Please do not send physical documents. Documents mailed to us will NOT be returned. If the institution you attended does not issue transcripts electronically, please contact your enrollment specialist.
Quantitative Ability
Applicants should show a high level of quantitative ability through one or more of the following:
- Work experience involving quantitative analysis or data-driven problem-solving
- Academic coursework that demonstrates quantitative aptitude
Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving
Applicants should demonstrate strong analytical reasoning and a problem-solving mindset through academic and/or professional performance.
Foundational Technical Knowledge
MIDS Applicants
Applicants should should have foundational knowledge of:
- Data structures
- Algorithms
- Algorithm analysis
- Linear algebra
Applicants who meet all other admission requirements but lack this background may be asked to complete a bridge course before enrolling in DATASCI 207 Applied Machine Learning.
MICS Applicants
Applicants should have foundational knowledge of:
- Programming fundamentals (e.g., Python, C)
- Technology foundations (e.g., hardware, software, operating systems, applications, etc.)
- Data literacy
Applicants who meet all other admission requirements but lack this background may be asked to complete a bridge course before enrolling in CYBER 204 Software Security and CYBER 210 Network Security.
Effective Communication
Applicants should demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively through one or more of the following:
- Academic performance
- Professional experience
- Strong application essays
Programming Proficiency
MIDS Applicants
Applicants should demonstrate basic proficiency in object-oriented programming, such as:
- Python
- Java
- C++
This proficiency may be demonstrated through academic coursework or professional experience.
Applicants with limited programming experience are encouraged to take DATASCI 200 Introduction to Data Science Programming during their first term. Students with sufficient prior knowledge may complete a waiver exam to place out of the course.
MICS Applicants
Applicants should have knowledge of programming fundamentals in at least one programming language, such as:
- Python
- Java
- C
This knowledge may be demonstrated through academic coursework or professional experience.
Applicants seeking additional preparation are encouraged to participate in the free Introduction to Python Bridge Course.
Test Scores
GRE/GMAT
GRE and GMAT are not required.
English Language Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS)
Some applicants are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS Academic score.
You may qualify for an exemption if you:
- Earned a degree from an institution in a country where English is an official language
- Earned a degree from a U.S. institution (or U.S. institution abroad) where English was the language of instruction
- Completed at least one year of full-time coursework with grades of B or higher at a regionally accredited U.S. institution
If you do not meet the exemption criteria mentioned above, you are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score.
Minimum required TOEFL scores for Fall 2026 admissions only:
Tests taken from June 1, 2024 to January 20, 2026: 90 minimum score score
Tests taken on or after January 21, 2026: 4.5 minimum total score
Test Codes
| Test | Code/Dept | Valid For |
|---|---|---|
GRE | 1634/0404 | 5 years |
GMAT | N2V-Q0-28 | 5 years |
TOEFL | 4833/99 | 18 months |
IELTS | TRF1 | 18 months |
1Test Report Form must be sent directly from IELTS arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference
Frequently Asked Questions
For any questions, please download and read our FAQ (PDF, 539.0 KB).
Get Started
Contact an enrollment specialist today with any questions, or fill out a brief form to request more information.