College of Science
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
STATISTICS MS – PLAN A & PLAN B
The MS Statistics program prepares students for positions in industry or government, while providing them with the necessary applied and theoretical background to pursue PhD programs in statistics or biostatistics. Students may apply with an undergraduate degree in statistics, mathematics, or a wide variety of other disciplines, including the biological and social sciences. An advanced undergraduate class in probability and mathematical statistics and some programming experience (particularly in R) is desirable; classes in linear algebra and multivariable calculus are necessary. MS Stat students conduct research in areas such as Big Data, time series, statistical genetics, bioinformatics, computational statistics, data visualization, experimental design and biostatistics. Nearly all MS Statistics projects involve collaboration with researchers in other fields, including ecology, agriculture, genetics, cancer, finance, public health, nutrition, education and engineering.
This degree requires 30 credits of coursework at or above the 5000 level. At least 18 credits must be at 6000 level or above, excluding STAT 6990 and STAT 7990 (Continuing Graduate Advisement). All students must take either MATH 5710 /5720 (Introduction to Probability/Mathematical Statistics) or STAT 6710 /6720 (Mathematical Statistics I/II). Generally, most coursework will be in Statistics, but the student’s supervisory committee may approve courses in mathematics, biology, economics, or any other discipline if appropriate for the student’s program of study. There is no examination required, however, the qualifying requirement for the MS Statistics degree is that students must earn a B or better in both semesters of either the MATH 5710 /5720 or the STAT 6710 /6720 sequence.
Plan A option:
The Plan A option for a master’s degree requires the preparation and defense of a thesis. Students are required to complete 6 semester credits of thesis research (STAT 6970 ). Successful defense and submission of the thesis to the library is required. Approval of academic forms required for master’s students by the School of Graduate Studies.
Plan B option:
A Plan B option requires the production and defense of a paper or project. Students are required to complete 3 semester credits of thesis research (STAT 6970 ). Successful defense and submission of the paper/project to the library is required. Approval of academic forms required for master’s students by the School of Graduate Studies.
There is no Plan C option for this program.
General Graduate Program Requirements
Degree Verification
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of a graduate program.
Overall Graduate GPA at least 3.0 and no grades of C- or lower;
Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree.
Course Number Acceptability
The Program of Study for a master’s degree or a doctoral degree, if the student has a master’s degree, must include at least 15 semester credits at the level of 6000 or above.
Credits in the following areas are not acceptable in a degree program: foreign languages (unless included in an approved Program of Study), continuing graduate advisement, individual home study, military science, and courses numbered below 3000.
Matriculation Start Semester
A master’s degree must be completed within six years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review.
Coursework Validity
Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated.
USU Residency Requirement
At least 24-semester credits for a master’s degree must be from a committee-approved and a School of Graduate Studies-approved Program of Study from Utah State University.
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