Degree Plan

You need two semesters of calculus and a knowledge of matrix algebra.

1. Required Courses: STAT 604, 608, 630, 641, 642, 657, and 659.
2. Additional Statistics Courses:
   At least two more three-hour courses:
   a) Biostatistics Emphasis: couse on Biostatistics and Data Analysis and course on Statistical Bioinformatics
   b) Business Analytics: STAT 656 and 653
   c) Applied Emphasis: STAT 653 and 636
   d) Applied Emphasis with SAS Certification: STAT 636 and 656 and pass the special SAS exam.
3. Outside Courses: At least one course from a supporting field.
4. One credit hour of STAT 681.
5. Two semester credit hours of statistical consulting experience (STAT 684) earned in a minimum of two semesters (see item D below).
6. Three semester credit hours of STAT 685 for the preparation of a special problem (see item C below).
7. A total of 36 semester credit hours.
8. The actual degree plan is determined by the student and the student's committee subject to the rules and regulations of the department, the college and the university.

The MS examination covers basic statistical method. The examination is evaluated with the performance judged to be "Pass" or "Fail". To receive a Master's Degree, a student must take and pass the exam.

The qualifying exam is offered twice a year--prior to the beginning of the fall semester and prior to the beginning of the spring semester, and must be taken at the earliest possible time after the student has completed the required courses: STAT 604, 608, 630, 641, and 642. Any exception to this time limit must be obtained in writing from the head of the Department.
Please contact Penny Jackson for more details.

After you complete 15 hours of specific core courses and pass the Master's diagnostic exam, you form a Master's advisory committee (a chair, another member from the Statistics department, and an outside member) and file your degree plan. Toward the end of the program, a student will complete a special project under the direction of the chairman or the advisory committee. Three semester credit hours of STAT 685 are earned by completion of this project. Upon completion, the student is required to compose a written report and make an oral presentation on the work via Centra. The purpose of this project is to familiarize the student with the type of problems that may be encountered in future work and to give the student a chance to develop the ability to present results both verbally and in writing.

Refer to the Office of Graduate Studies, Degree Plan webpage for additional information.

Two sections of STAT 684 (one hour credit each) are required. The first section is a one hour course in which you watch videos and actively participate in Q&As. The other is a one hour course in which you complete a project. These two courses cannot be taken together or before completion of eighteen hours of statistics courses.

You must pass a final oral examination. This examination is concerned with your coursework and special problem. It is administered by your advisory committee.

It is very important to follow the steps laid out by the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) to avoid any complications in getting your degree.