Program Description

The Department of Statistics offers programs leading to a Ph.D. in statistics. The program is flexible enough to be individually planned around prior experience and in accord with professional goals.

During the first year of the program, students are strongly encouraged to meet with each individual faculty member to discuss possible research topics. The student should select an advisory and examining committee by the end of the first year.

Admissions Requirements

Ph.D. Program in Statistics:

To be admitted with full status into the Ph.D. program, the applicant must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing.
2. Have had four courses in Math at the university calculus level or above.
3. Have had several courses in statistics.
4. Have had at least one programming language.

Must have at least a 3.0 or equivalent cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all related courses at the baccalaureate level.

Students not holding a master's degree in statistics or a closely related field will not be admitted to the Ph.D. program in statistics. These students must first apply to the M.S. program in applied statistics and complete the M.S. degree.

Preferably, applications should be submitted directly to the Graduate School before March 15 of the upcoming academic year.

Official transcripts (transcripts having an appropriate seal or stamp) of all previous undergraduate and graduate records must be received by the Graduate School before the application is complete. When a transcript is submitted in advance of completion of undergraduate or graduate studies, an updated transcript showing all course credits and grades must be provided prior to initial registration at NDSU.

Three letters of recommendation are generally required before action is taken on any application. Personal reference report forms are available from the Graduate School.

The TOEFL examination is required of international applicants. A minimum score of 550 (paper test) or 213 (computer test) be achieved.

Financial Assistance

The student must first make application to the Graduate School and be accepted in full or conditional status before he/she is eligible for an assistantship in the Department of Statistics.

Teaching assistantships are available. To be considered for an assistantship, a completed Graduate School application, official transcripts, and three letters of reference must be submitted to the Graduate School no later than March 15. International students must also submit a TOEFL score.

Degree Requirements

The program for the Ph.D. degree requires an additional 30 credits of course work beyond the M.S. degree and 30 hours of research. An oral defense of a dissertation is required.

Requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Statistics*

All students must:

1. Complete a set of core courses with a grade of B or better including: STAT 661, 662, 767, 768, 764, or 774.
2. Successfully complete 6 one-credit practicums in Consulting/Presentation Practicum. Each statistical practicum will be listed as STAT 794.
3. Complete an additional 30 semester credits of statistics courses at the 600- or 700-level (does not include STAT 725 or 726). At least 15 credits must be at the 700-level.
4. Complete 9 semester credits from the following: MATH 650, 651, 688, 689, 728; CSCI 654, 737. This requirement may be waived and additional courses in statistics substituted upon approval by the adviser or advisory committee.
5. Pass a written comprehensive exam. This exam is given twice per year.
6. Submit a research proposal and pass an oral exam on the proposal and related topics.
7. Complete and successfully defend the research dissertation.

*Some of these requirements may be satisfied upon admittance into the program with an already existing M.S. degree in Statistics.