Graduate Programs

The department offers programs of study leading to the CAS (Certificate in Applied Statistics), MIS (Master of Industrial Statistics), M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Statistics. All programs emphasize broad training in both applied and theoretical statistics.

Non-Degree Enrollment

Want to try just a course or two? If you have a Bachelors Degree with three semesters of calculus (grades of B or better), you may take up to 2 courses as a nondegree student. Credit can later be applied toward a certificate or degree. To apply, go to the Graduate School Homepage and select the Non-Degree seeking application. Contact the graduate coordinator for advice on what to take.

Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics (CAS)

The Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics (CAS) is a graduate-level "minor" in statistical methods. It is designed to provide engineers and scientists with the modern data analytic tools needed for effective practice as a specialist in statistical methods.

The CAS requires at least 18 semester hours of graduate credits in statistics, at least half of which must be courses at the 700-level or above having the STAT designator, completed within a period of six years before the award of the certificate. The 18 hours must include 6 hours of basic data analysis (STAT 700-701 or the equivalent) and 3 hours of experimental design (STAT 706 or STAT 506 or the equivalent). At least 9 hours of additional courses must be selected, with the approval of the graduate coordinator. Up to 6 semester hours of approved statistics courses may be taken from other departments and/or by transfer credit.

Subject to the regulations of The Graduate School, courses taken in a certificate program can be applied toward other graduate degrees (with approval of both departments).

Admission to the CAS program requires a Bachelors Degree from an accredited institution with at least three semesters of Calculus (B's or better), 2 letters of recommendation, and the GRE (recommended) or GMAT. Note that these tests, in computer form, are now given several times a month at (e.g. Sylvan Leaning Centers and the USC Testing Center).

It is possible to complete the entire Certificate program via distance education.

Master of Industrial Statistics

The Master of Industrial Statistics degree program is geared towards persons who are currently working in a business, government, industrial, or educational setting. The MIS program has also been very useful for individuals currently teaching Mathematics in the public schools and 4 year colleges who wish to broaden their background. The program emphasizes the statistical tools and consulting skills necessary for a successful statistical practitioner in the workplace. While some theory is introduced, the focus is on applications of statistics and on how statistics can be used to improve quality in an organization or process.

The applicant must have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and must also have two or more years of full time work experience. The successful applicant should have three semesters of calculus. (Applicants with background deficiencies in calculus may be required to make up such courses before starting the Master of Industrial Statistics program.) Admission to the Graduate School upon recommendation of the Department of Statistics will be based on undergraduate transcripts, two letters of recommendation and scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). Note that these tests, in computer form, are now given several times a month at (e.g. Sylvan Leaning Centers and the USC Testing Center).

The degree requires at least 36 semester hours of approved course work. The core curriculum of 7 courses (21 hours) is listed below:

Core Courses:

Additionally, three semester hours of STAT 798 (Independent Study) are required. The STAT 798 course will be directed by a faculty member and will ideally allow the student to study an appropriate application of statistics relevant to his or her work experience, or specific to his or her company or agency, and write a term paper on the project. The remaining 12 semester hours are electives (e.g. STAT 517, 518, 519, 520, 530, 720, 730). With the approval of the Graduate Coordinator, as many as three courses (9 hours) may be taken outside the Department of Statistics.

Since many students will be working full-time, most courses are scheduled in the late afternoon and all are available via distance education. Typically, a person working full-time takes only one-two courses per semester. It is possible to earn the Master of Industrial Statistics via distance education.

Master of Science in Statistics

The MS degree requires at least 30 semester hours of approved course work including a core of STAT 704, 705, 712, 713, and 714 and three semester hours of thesis preparation (STAT 799). In addition to these 30 hours, one semester hour each of the consulting seminar (STAT 790 ) and practicum (STAT 791 ) and two semester hours of Statistics Seminar (STAT 795) are required.

Up to six semester hours of course work may be taken outside the department with prior approval. At least 21 semester hours of the MS program, excluding thesis credits, must be earned in courses numbered 700 and above.

Candidates for the MS are required to complete a thesis. The thesis is a guided introduction to statistical research and develops the scientific and technical communications skills that a professional statistician needs and offers the students the opportunity to work closely with a faculty member on an extended project. No foreign language is required for the MS degree.

Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics

The Ph.D. requires at least 48 semester hours of regular coursework, including the core courses STAT 704, 705, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 721, 722, 723, 724, and 740. In addition to this regular coursework, one semester each of of the consulting seminar (STAT 790 ) and practicum (STAT 791 ), six semester hours of Statistics Seminar (STAT 795), and three semester hours of doctoral seminar (STAT 890) are required. The doctoral dissertation is to be written in conjunction with the dissertation research course (STAT 899), for which at least 12 semester hours must be earned beyond the 48 hours of regular coursework. The content of the dissertation is expected to make a significant contribution to the statistical literature and be publishable in a reputable journal. No foreign language is required for the Ph.D. degree.

Students pursuing the Ph.D. in statistics are required to pass three examinations. The first, the Admission to Candidacy Examination, taken after one year of study, is designed to measure potential for advanced study in statistics at the doctoral level. The second, the Comprehensive Exam, is a defense of the dissertation proposal and is taken after most of the course work is completed. The third and final, the Dissertation Examination, is a defense of the dissertation results.