Applying for Admission

This step is only needed if you are pursuing the MS degree. Students pursuing a certificate simply sign up for the courses that they need as a non-degree seeking student.

Note that a minimum of 21 credits must be completed through CSU after admission. We strongly recommend that students take STAT 501 and STAT 520 as a non-degree seeking student before applying for admission into our MS program.  It has been our experience that students have a much higher success rate in the program having taken STAT 520 first to see how the program works and fits their schedules.  Please also see this website:   http://www.stat.colostate.edu/DDP/degree.html.

A four-year baccalaureate degree is required for admission into any graduate program at CSU.  Three-year baccalaureate degrees are not accepted.  The GRE is not required for our MS program.  The Statistics Department committee which evaluates student files for a recommendation to Graduate School prefers to see completion of STAT 520 prior to application.  If an applicant has not completed STAT 520 prior to applying for admission, their file is evaluated based on overall GPA, plus transcript grades in Calculus I, II, & III, Advanced Calculus and Linear Algebra.

The online application for admission may accessed through the Graduate School website. From the home site, select the Application/Admission link under Admissions Info. (Deadlines listed on the Applying to Graduate School page do not apply to our program.) Select the Application for Admission link under Application Options on the right hand side. Please note that not all of the information on the Online Graduate Application page applies to distance students. In particular, proof of financial support is not required for international applicants. Additionally, TOEFL scores are not needed for international applicants with one or more degrees from or work experience in countries in which the official language is English. From this page, you will select the Go To Online Application link under Apply Now.

When applying for admission, you must submit the following:

• online application and fee (see access information listed above) 
• 2 copies each of official transcripts
• a personal statement of applicant
• 3 letters of reference (no faxes)

• Letters should be from (1) previous or current college/university instructors, (2) previous or current, immediate professional supervisor, or (3) observers, other than supervisors, who can verify the specific impact of the applicant's professional or intellectual expertise.
• Letters from friends, co-workers, relatives are considered only supplemental to above three (3).
• Letters need to be on hard copy stationery with original signature and on letterhead stationery of the institution or business, when relevant. 

GRE scores are not required. Please refer to Admissions Requirements and Procedures of the CSU Graduate and Professional Bulletin for general information regarding graduate admission to CSU.

Domestic applicants should send the application materials to

Distance Degree Program
Department of Statistics
Colorado State University
1877 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO  80523-1877

International applicants will need to provide the materials listed above, as well as certified translations of all transcripts (if transcripts are not in English) and TOEFL scores, unless applicant's country of origin is on the list of TOEFL exempt countries. International students with a degree or work experience from a country in which the official language is English may petition for a waiver of the TOEFL. You do not need proof of financial support for the distance program. Please contact the Statistics Department's Distance office or the Graduate School for additional information.

Note: When communicating with the Graduate School, you need to specify that you wish to pursue the MS degree in Statistics by distance (STAT-DD-MS).

Once all documents are on file, your application is reviewed by the Graduate Screening Committee and processed based on their recommendation.  The final degree diploma is no different than the one issued to our on campus students.  There is no reference to online or distance classes.

You may contact the Statistics Department's distance office for help or questions.