skip to content

The Graduate Program

Master's Degree in Statistics

The Masters program emphasizes applied statistics, encouraging students to take one course in areas of application. Plans of Study for this degree may be formulated with related work in almost any area, e.g., Biology, Business, Economics, Nutrition, and Psychology to name a few.

Individuals with a Bachelor's Degree in any major are encouraged to apply. Approximately three semesters of full time study are required to complete the Masters Degree, although it is possible for a student with a strong background to finish in a year. A student holding an assistantship, or who is otherwise prevented from carrying a full load of graduate work (normally four courses per semester), generally requires an additional semester to finish.

 
Prerequisites

Although there are no official course requirements for admission to graduate study, a degree of mathematical sophistication is necessary for acceptable progress through the program. This mathematical maturity may be achieved by successful completion of three semesters of calculus and a semester of linear algebra. A background in statistics will be helpful, but is not assumed.
 
Structure of the Master's Program
Eight to 10 courses are required depending upon the student's background, where statistics course 5585, 5685, 5505, 5605, 5725 and 5515 are required. The elective courses normally consist of three more courses in statistics and one course is in the area of application. Choices are made with the approval of the candidate's advisor. After taking all required courses, the student must take and pass a Master's Examination. He or she must also demonstrate proficiency in statistical computing. There is no thesis requirement for the Master's Degree.
  • Two Semesters Knowledge of Statistics 5585-5685 and some applied statistics is assumed.
    • Statistics 5505 , Statistics 5725, 2 Elective or Area of Application Courses
    • Statistics 5099, Statistics 5605, Statistics 5515, 2 Elective or Area of Application Courses
  • Three Semesters
    • Statistics 5585, Statistics 5505, 1 Elective Course
    • Statistics 5685, Statistics 5515, Statistics 5605, 1 Elective Course
    • Statistics 5725, 2 Elective or Area of Application Courses, Statistics 5099 (1 credit)
  • Four Semesters
    • Statistics 5585, Statistics 5505, 1 Elective Course
    • Statistics 5685, Statistics 5515, 1 Elective Course
    • Statistics 5725 , 1 or 2 Elective or Area of Application Courses
    • Statistics 5605, 1 or 2 Elective or Area of Application Courses, Statistics 5099 (1 credit)
Note: Remedial work in Mathematics may replace elective courses in the first year of a three or four semester program.
 
Typical Plans of Study for the Master's Degree with Biostatistics Concentration
  • Three Semesters
    • Statistics 5585, Statistics 5505, Statistics 5635 (or Statistics 5625, 5645)
    • Statistics 5685, Statistics 5605, Statistics 5515, Statistics 5625 (or Statistics 5635, 5645)
    • Statistics 5725, Statistics 5645 (or Statistics 5625, 5635), 1 Elective Course, Statistics 5099 (1 credit)
  • Four Semesters
    • Statistics 5585, Statistics 5505, Statistics 5635 (or Statistics 5625, 5645)
    • Statistics 5685, Statistics 5515, Statistics 5625 (or Statistics 5635, 5645), 1 Elective Course
    • Statistics 5725, Statistics 5645 (or Statistics 5625, 5635)
    • Statistics 5605, 1 Elective Course (or Statistics 5625, 5635 or 5645) , Statistics 5099 (1 credit)