Program Description

The Department of Statistics offers programs leading to a master of science degree in applied 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.

A joint master's degree in computer science and statistics may also be obtained.

Admissions Requirements

Master's Program in Applied Statistics:

The Department of Statistics' graduate program is open to qualified graduates of universities of recognized standing. To be admitted with full status to the M.S. program, the applicant must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing.
2. Have had at least one year of calculus.
3. Have had at least one course 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.

Joint Master's Program in Computer Science and Statistics:

To be admitted with full status into the M.S. program in computer science and statistics, the applicant must satisfy the admission requirements for both the M.S. program in computer science and the M.S. program in applied statistics.

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 M.S. degree in applied statistics requires 32 semester credits with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. An oral defense of a research-based thesis or paper is required.

The program for the M.S. degree in computer science and statistics requires 42 semester credits with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. An oral defense of a research-based thesis or paper is required.

Requirements for the M.S. degree in Applied 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 2 one-credit practicums in consulting. Each statistical practicum will be listed as STAT 794.
3. Complete an additional 9-12 hours (depends on number of research hours) of course work selected from the following courses: STAT 650, 651, 660, 663, 664, 665, 670, 672, 730, 732, 761, 762, 770, 775, 777, 778, 780, 786, 796 (Special Topics in Statistics). At most, two of the following courses will count in the additional 9-12 hours: CSCI 618, 654, 737; MATH 650, 688, 728.
4. Pass two written comprehensive exams. Exam 1 covers STAT 767 and 768. Exam 2 covers STAT 661, 662, and 764 or 774. Exam 1 is two hours and Exam 2 is three hours. These exams are offered during approximately the fourth week of Fall and Spring Semesters. A maximum of two attempts will be allowed.
5. Successfully complete and defend a research-based thesis or paper (3 or 6 credits).

Requirements for the M.S. degree in Computer Science and Statistics

All students must:

1. Take a minimum of 42 semester credit hours including at least 18 graduate course credits in computer science and at least 18 graduate course credits in statistics.
2. Take CSCI 708, 713, 724, 737, 765 and one additional 600-or 700-level course in computer science.
3. Take STAT 661, 662, 767, 768, 764, or 774, and one additional 600- or 700-level course in statistics (does not include STAT 725).
4. Pass both the comprehensive exams for the M.S. degree in computer science and the M.S. degree in statistics.
5. Successfully complete a research-based thesis or paper. The supervisory committee must consist of at least one faculty member from computer science and at least one faculty member from statistics.