DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS
STATISTICS PROGRAM
Program Links: MS in Statistics, Mathematics Program, Course Descriptions
The educational objectives of the Master of Science degree in Statistics are threefold: to provide professionally competent statisticians equipped to accept responsibilities in business, industry and public service positions, to provide the academic foundation needed to pursue the study of statistics at the doctoral level, and to provide opportunity for study of statistics at the graduate level by students whose primary area of specialization is a field in which applications of statistics are appropriate. (Such areas include social sciences, education, criminal justice and the physical sciences.)
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the graduate program in Statistics must submit the Graduate Studies Application for Admission with the one-time application fee to the Office of Graduate Studies, official transcripts of all college-level work (including the transcript that shows the date the undergraduate degree was conferred), and official GRE scores. Two letters of recommendation from the Mathematics or Statistics faculty at the student’s undergraduate degree-granting institution are required with the application for admission. A 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA is recommended for admission into the Mathematics program. For a final admissions decision, GRE scores do not constitute the sole criterion for consideration of the applicant, nor do GRE scores and undergraduate GPA constitute the primary criteria to end consideration of an applicant. Based on review of a student’s undergraduate transcript, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics may require completion of undergraduate stem courses as a condition for admission.
Other Scholarly Requirements
An oral examination is administered by the advisory committee for each Master of Science degree candidate. [NOTE: The oral examination must be scheduled with the Graduate Advisor at least three weeks in advance. Request forms are available in the department office. Students must be enrolled the semester in which they take comprehensive examinations.
Requirements specified in the degree programs that follow are
subject to minor modification by the department. Also, to ensure
a balanced program, all electives must be approved by the department
chair or an authorized representative of the graduate Statistics
faculty.
Degree Plans
Master of Science Degree, 37 Semester Hours, Thesis or Non-thesis.
Prerequisites: STA 471, 472.
Required Core: STA 511, 533, 561, 562, 564, 568, MTH 668.
Electives: (Four courses chosen from STA 560, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570,
MTH 570, 673, 694, CS 593).
Research/Thesis: STA 698:699 or 3 semester hour Practicum (STA 560) and an additional
3 semester hour graduate statistics elective. The Practicum
must include an oral presentation of the
Graduate Minor in Statistics. Three specific plans are available for the graduate minor in Statistics with each plan requiring a minimum of 12 semester hours of statistics.
Mathematical Statistics Minor Program. The required courses are STA 533, 561, 562, and 564 with STA 560 strongly recommended as well.
M.A. in Mathematics Program. The required coursework is STA 471, 472 or STA 561,562, and two additional courses selected from STA 533, 560, 566, 567, 568, 569, and 570.
Statistical Methods Minor Program. This minor is particularly appropriate for graduate students in the social or natural sciences, education and criminal justice. The required courses are STA 533, 568, and 2 additional courses selected from STA 560, 566, 567, 569, and 570.