Apr 04, 2026  
USC Catalogue 2025-2026 
    
USC Catalogue 2025-2026

Data Science and Law (MS)


The Master of Science in Data Science and Law (minimum 32 units) is designed for individuals interested in the convergence of data science and law. The curriculum integrates courses from the Viterbi School of Engineering in data science and machine learning with those from the Gould School of Law in artificial intelligence, intellectual property law, information privacy and internet law.

The program is tailored for individuals with a robust academic background, high professional aspirations, strong personal commitment and effective communication skills that align with the demanding nature of this master’s degree program. Individuals who have already obtained a Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent are encouraged to apply.

Prior to enrollment, admitted applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an institution within or outside the United States and must have taken at least two collegiate-level mathematics courses in the following areas: Calculus, Calculus-based Probability, Linear Algebra, Discrete Mathematics. Enrolled students without prior statistics background are required to take DSCI 564  Probability and Statistics for Data Science prior to taking DSCI 550  Data Science at Scale.

Required Core


Data Science Core (16 units)


Complete the following four courses. Note: students with prior background in computing or data science can request to waive required courses and take electives covering more advanced topics; further, students who have already satisfied the statistics requirement prior to starting the program may replace DSCI 517  with an elective from among those listed below.

Law Core (9 units)


Notes: take LAW 772  for 3 units; with prior approval, students may replace LAW 520  and/or LAW 772  with electives if they have successfully completed a similar course in a legal master’s or JD program.

Electives