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Updated 12/02/2022

The Master of Science in statistics requires 32 s.h. of graduate credit. The program prepares students for careers as professional statisticians or for entry into a PhD program. It includes a solid foundation in statistical computing, statistical modeling, experimental design, and mathematical statistics plus electives in statistical methods and/or theory. Students have the opportunity to concentrate on theory or applications or a combination of the two.

In addition to required course work, students must pass a two-part graduate final examination and complete the MS creative component.

MS students in statistics must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 3.00 in all work toward the degree and in additional relevant course work. Students must take a computer programming proficiency test during the first semester of study; those who display inadequate programming skills are assigned activities to build their proficiency.

The Master of Science program in statistics requires the following work.

Statistics Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
All of these:
DATA:5400 / STAT:5400 / IGPI:5199	Computing in Statistics	3
STAT:5090	ALPHA Seminar	1
STAT:5100-STAT:5101	Statistical Inference I-II	6
STAT:5200-STAT:5201	Applied Statistics I-II	7
STAT:6220	Statistical Consulting	3
STAT:6300	Probability and Stochastic Processes I	3
STAT:6990	Readings in Statistics (two consecutive enrollments)	2
At least 7 s.h. from these:
DATA:4750	Probabilistic Statistical Learning	3
DATA:4540 / STAT:4540 / IGPI:4540	Statistical Learning	3
DATA:4580 / STAT:4580 / IGPI:4580	Data Visualization and Data Technologies	3
STAT:4520 / IGPI:4522 / PSQF:4520	Bayesian Statistics	3
STAT:5120	Mathematical Methods for Statistics	3
STAT:6301	Probability and Stochastic Processes II	3
STAT:6530 / IGPI:6530	Environmental and Spatial Statistics	3
STAT:6547 / IGPI:6247	Nonparametric Statistical Methods	3
STAT:6560	Applied Time Series Analysis	3
STAT:6970	Topics in Statistics	3
A PhD-level course numbered 7000 or above, including seminar courses		1-3

MS students planning to enter the doctoral program may wish to include STAT:5120 Mathematical Methods for Statistics in their course selections, since it is part of the required PhD core. These students are also encouraged to take some 7000 level courses to see if the PhD program is suitable. Most of these students will take the writing part of their PhD final (comprehensive) exam at the beginning of the third year of graduate study based on these 7000 level courses.

 

Master of Science Final Examination

The MS final examination consists of two parts: one covers the topics presented in STAT:5100 Statistical Inference I and STAT:5101 Statistical Inference II; the other part covers the topics presented in STAT:5200 / IGPI:5199 Applied Statistics I, STAT:5201 Applied Statistics II, and DATA:5400 / STAT:5400 / IGPI:5400 Computing in Statistics. Each part includes a few problems that test readiness for the PhD program.

Final examinations are offered the week before classes begin in August. Study guides are available.  Students who do not succeed the first time they take the exam may repeat it once, with the possibility of a retake the week before classes begin in January.

Students must complete all requirements and be granted the Master of Science degree within one calendar year of passing the MS final examination; those who do not meet this deadline are required to take the exam again.

Students entering the PhD program, who will choose either biostatistics, probability/mathematical statistics, or data science as their concentration area, and who already have taken the equivalent of the first-year courses, may take the MS final examination in statistics before beginning further studies.

Creative Component

Students must also complete a creative component that is related to their application and career interests. Students wishing to qualify for the PhD program are encouraged to write a research-oriented creative component. The creative component entails writing an 8-15 page report on a suitable topic, under an advisor's supervision (with two consecutive 1 s.h. enrollments in STAT:6990 Readings in Statistics, normally during the fall and spring semesters of the second year). The Creative Component must be completed and presented by mid-spring. The paper is then presented orally in a public seminar. A faculty committee, in consultation with the creative component advisor, evaluates the work and the presentation, and assigns a grade of satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

For students wishing to qualify for the PhD program, the creative component represents one piece of the body of work used to determine PhD qualification. The creative component must be satisfactorily completed within one calendar year of passing the MS final examination; failure to meet this deadline requires reexamination of the student.

The Master's in Science program in Statistics prepares students for careers as professional statisticians or for entry into the PhD program. It includes a solid foundation in statistical computing, statistical modeling, experimental design, and mathematical statistics, plus electives in statistical methods, applications, or theory. Students have the opportunity to concentrate on theory, applications, or a combination of the two.

The Master of Science in statistics requires 32 s.h. of graduate credit.  In addition to required course work, students must pass a two-part MS final examination and complete the MS creative component. The creative component must be satisfactorily completed within one calendar year of passing the MS final examination; failure to meet this deadline requires reexamination of the student.

MS students in statistics must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 3.00 in all work toward the degree and in additional relevant course work. Students must take a computer programming proficiency test during the first semester of study; those who display inadequate programming skills are assigned activities to build their proficiency.

The Master of Science program in statistics requires the following work.

Plan of Study

The applicant for a master's degree must file a Plan of Study, approved by the advisor and the DEO, with the Graduate College within the session in which the comprehensive exam is taken, and by a date to be established by the Graduate College dean. The Plan shall meet the requirements for the degree approved by the graduate faculty.  The plan of study is completed by the faculty and is submitted for you.  There is nothing you need to do, except review it.  It is usually completed at the beginning of your 4th semester and a copy is placed in  your mail box in 241 Schaeffer Hall.

If a student makes a change in his or her Plan of Study (i.e., adds or deletes a course), he or she must file an Application for Change in Plan of Study (see program coordinator or your advisor).

Application for Degree

The student must file an application for an anticipated degree with the Registrar not later than ten weeks after the start of the semester or one week after the start of the summer session in which the degree will be conferred. Failure to file the Application for Degree by the deadline may result in postponement of graduation to a subsequent session.

Students must be registered for the semester in which they graduate. Students who have completed their coursework may register for GRAD:6001 (000:001) Master's Final Registration for 0 s.h. with their advisor's approval.

MS Timeline

The timeline below describes the key milestones in the MS program. Meeting these milestones on time constitutes "adequate progress" toward the MS degree. See also the sample schedule below.

Year 1

• Complete at least 18 semester hours of coursework with a GPA of at least 3.0, including courses needed to prepare for the MS Final Examination.

Year 2

• Take the MS Final Examination before classes start in the fall. If necessary, re-take the exam in January.
• Complete the remaining coursework with a GPA of at least 3.0, meeting the requirements of the MS program.
• Satisfactorily complete the creative component requirement (draft by end of fall, polished and presented by mid-spring).
• Complete the Plan of Study.
• File the Application for the MS degree before Spring Break for Spring graduation. In the rare case of needing to graduate in a Fall semester, file the application before the second Friday of October.
• Students in our MS program who want to continue into our PhD program should apply to the PhD program by the same deadline above, simply by notifying the Director of Graduate Studies. No additional application materials are needed.

Sample Schedule for MS Students in Statistics

Year	Fall Semester	Spring Semester
1	STAT:5090 ALPHA Seminar STAT:5100 Statistical Inference I STAT:5200 Applied Statistics I DATA:5400 / STAT:5400 Computing in Statistics	STAT:5101 Statistical Inference II STAT:5201 Applied Statistics II STAT:5120 Mathematical Methods for Statistics, or STAT:6560 Applied Time Series Analysis, or an elective
2	[MS Final Examination]- prior to classes starting STAT:4520 Bayesian Statistics, or STAT:6970 Topics in Statistics, or an elective STAT:6300 Probability and Stochastic Processes I STAT:6990 Readings in Statistics (1 s.h.)	STAT:6220 Statistical Consulting STAT:6530 Environmental and Spatial Statistics, or an elective STAT:6990 Readings in Statistics (1 s.h.)