Earning the M.S. Degree

The Master of Science (MS) degree in statistics, from a leading, nationally recognized department. Thirty-four credits of advanced statistical theory, probability, methods, and data analysis, including linear and generalized linear models, time series, stochastic processes, sampling, design, biostatistics, spatial and environmental statistics, Bayesian methods, computing, and other topics. Requires a strong math background including three semesters of college-level calculus, one semester of advanced calculus or introductory analysis, one semester of linear algebra or matrix theory, and usually 3-6 credits of undergraduate statistics; computer programming experience is also recommended.

We prefer to see you finish as quickly as you can, but our overriding concern is to ensure that you successfully complete the degree even if it requires a slower pace. Experience has shown that it can be very difficult to take more than a single course at once if you have a job, a family, or a life. Therefore we recommend taking only one course at a time. Click here for further comments about pace. On-campus students--devoting 40-60 hours/week to their studies--typically finish the MS degree in 2-3 years. Thus, you can estimate how much longer it might take your part-time effort.

At the pace of one course in autumn, one in spring, and zero in summer, you would take five years to complete the degree. Or, if you choose to take one course in autumn, one in spring, and one in summer you might be able to finish in three and half years. When planning the course of your study please follow the following guidelines:

• Students may elect one of the following MS degree options:
  • Plan A (thesis option)
  • Plan B (project option) tends to work best for most distance degree students
  • Plan B (exam option)
• The course requirements for the degree are:
  Group I: You must take STAT 501, STAT 520, STAT 530, STAT 540, STAT 586, STAT 640, STAT 699.
  Group II: You must take at least one course from STAT 521, STAT 525, and at least one course from STAT 605, STAT 650.
  Group III: You must take three additional courses; the two remaining courses from Group II may be used as a choice, as well as any course from STAT 522, STAT 523, STAT 526, STAT 560, STAT 570, STAT 600, STAT 645, STAT 675A-L.
• Note: STAT 520+STAT 501, STAT 530, STAT 540, STAT 640 should be taken first. STAT 520 must be taken before STAT 530 and STAT 540 has to be taken before STAT 640. Except for STAT 501 and STAT 586, which are one-credit courses, we strongly recommend that no other courses be taken simultaneously with STAT 520, STAT 530, or STAT 640.
• When choosing which courses among STAT 521, STAT 523, STAT 525, STAT 600, STAT 605, STAT 645, STAT 650 to take, you should consult the current course offerings. (Usually only one or two of these courses will be offered in any given semester.)

Please note that you do not need to apply for admission prior to beginning your coursework for the MS degree. In fact, we strongly recommend that students take STAT 520, as a non-degree seeking student before applying for admission into our program.  Our experience has shown 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. Information on the admissions process can be found here.  

Contact Dr. Jana Anderson or Ms. Betsy Munson for help or questions.