Program Description
A joint specialization program with the Cleveland Clinic. The Department of Computer Science (CS) offers programs of course work and research leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, Applied Data Science Specialization, which is run as a joint venture with the Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute (LRI). Department faculty and staff members of LRI work in cooperation to offer graduate training in data science in relation to medical and biological sciences. Students will be provided a unique opportunity to conduct research at one of the nation’s top medical research institutes. Substantial external funding and state of the art equipment enable cutting edge research in two broad foci relating to:
- Biomedical data science and informatics to solve challenging problems in biology, medicine and public health by applying concepts and methods from computer science and data science together with principles of information science.
- Data ethics; Bias in medical information, Fairness in and fairness via AI, Health privacy, and Cybersecurity in healthcare.
- High performance computing infrastructure, including hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing technologies, to empower big data medical research.
Applicants for a doctorate in engineering should hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree with at least one degree in engineering. In exceptional cases, applicants may be considered without an engineering degree if they have a strong foundation in math and science. For computer or data science students, the undergraduate background should be in math, computer science or statistics. Minimum grade-point averages of 3.00 at the bachelor’s and 3.25 at the master’s level are required.
The GRE General section is required of all applicants. Minimum scores at the 80th percentile on the Quantitative section and 3.5 on the Analytical Writing section are usually required depending on the specialization area.
Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student’s previous academic work are required. Applicants are required to submit a two-page personal statement of their research interests.
If an English language proficiency examination is required, then a TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper-based exam, 78 on the internet exam (including at least 20 in reading, 21 in listening, 17 in writing, and 20 in speaking), 6.0 on the IELTS exam, 3.8 on the iTEP exam, or 213 on the computer-based exam, is required. Students who do not satisfy these requirements but who do satisfy the University’s TOEFL requirements, will be tested upon arrival at CSU by the English as a Second Language Program. Depending on test results, students may be required to take a writing and/or speaking course.
Application FormMay 15 | October 15 | April 1
Career Opportunities
A Ph.D. in Applied Data Science opens the door to impactful careers at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and research. Graduates from this interdisciplinary program, jointly offered by Cleveland State University and the Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, are equipped to lead in cutting-edge domains such as biomedical data analysis, healthcare AI, and data ethics.
Career paths include:
Biomedical Data Scientist – Driving innovation in healthcare through the analysis of complex biological and clinical data.
AI Researcher in Medicine – Developing machine learning algorithms for diagnosis, treatment planning, and predictive analytics.
Health Informatics Specialist – Managing and interpreting data to improve patient outcomes and health system performance.
Data Ethics & Privacy Officer – Ensuring fairness, transparency, and ethical integrity in medical AI systems and patient data usage.
Clinical Data Engineer – Building high-performance systems to handle large-scale healthcare data, often using cloud and quantum computing technologies.
Academic Researcher or Professor – Leading scholarly research and educating the next generation of data science professionals.
Biostatistician or Epidemiologist – Supporting public health initiatives through rigorous data modeling and analysis.
Ph.D. graduates are highly sought after by hospitals, research institutes, tech and pharmaceutical companies, and universities. This program's unique partnership with a world-renowned medical research center prepares graduates to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare and data science.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Our institution is committed to making education accessible. We offer:
- Scholarships – Merit-based and need-based options for eligible students.
- Grants - Financial support that does not require repayment.
- Work-Study Programs – Opportunities for students to earn while they learn.
- Financial Aid Forms – Flexible repayment plans to suit different needs.
For detailed information on tuition fees and financial aid eligibility, visit our official website or contact our financial aid office.
Degree questions, answered
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Course Catalog
The university catalog is the official source of the university’s academic programs, courses, policies, and procedures. Visit the Online Catalog for more information about university curriculum and view a comprehensive list of degrees and programs.
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Contact
Mailing Address
Cleveland State University, Department of Computer Science
2121 Euclid Ave., FH 212
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2214
Campus Location
Fenn Hall Room 212
1960 East 24th Street
Phone: 216.687.4604
cs@csuohio.edu