Admission
Program Prerequisites
Transcript must show successful completion of at least the following undergraduate courses: advanced statistical methods, introductory analysis/advanced calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. These courses are equivalent to PSU's STAT 452 or higher, MTH 311, MTH 261, and MTH 256.
In addition to program prerequisites, applicants must meet the university's minimum admission requirements including English language proficiency.
Application Deadline
This program admits once per year for fall term only. Applications must be submitted by June 1st.
Cost and Funding
Refer to the University Student Finance web page for tuition and financial aid information.
The department offers a limited number of Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships, Fellowships, and Scholarships. Program applicants are able to indicate their interest in an assistantship as part of the online program application.
Degree Requirements
Planning a MS Statistics Degree Program
The Course Projection Guide (CPG) lists the projected future 600-level course offerings. These projections enable students to plan programs that include any necessary 500-level prerequisites. Students also need to plan a program that will prepare them to pass one or two MS examinations, depending on which option you choose. Students entering the program with core courses STAT 561, 562, 563 and STAT 564, 565, 566 successfully completed and considering future pursuit of the PhD are encouraged to take MTH 511, 512 and in addition to the required 600 level sequence, at least one additional sequence from among STAT 661, 662, 663, Stat 664, 665, 666, and MTH 667, 668, 669. All students are urged to meet with the graduate program advisor regarding degree requirements and for help with program planning.
Course Requirements
Candidates must complete an approved 45-credit program, which includes at least 30 core credits in courses with the STAT prefix. These 30 core credits must include courses distributed as follows:
- Two 9-credit sequences:
- Stat 561, 562, 563 Mathematical Statistics I, II, III and
- Stat 564, 565, 566 Applied Regression Analysis and Experimental Design
- One 9-credit sequence chosen from
- Stat 661, 662, 663 Advanced Mathematical Statistics I, II, III or
- Stat 664, 665, 666 Theory of Linear Models I, II, III or
- Mth 667, 668, 669 Stochastic Processes and Probability Theory I, II, III or
- Stat 671, 672, 673 Statistical Learning I, II, III
- Stat 570 Topics in Statistical Consulting, 3 credits
Electives (15 credits):
Approved Electives. All courses are 3 credits each.| Course Subject Number | Course Title |
|---|
| Stat 501 | Statistical Literature and Problems |
| Stat 571 | Applied Multivariate Statistical Analysis |
| Stat 572 | Bayesian Statistics |
| Stat 573 | Computer Intensive Methods in Statistics |
| Stat 576 | Sampling Theory and Methods |
| Stat 577 | Categorical Data Analysis |
| Stat 578 | Survival Analysis |
| Stat 580 | Nonparametric Methods |
| Stat 661 | Advanced Mathematical Statistics I |
| Stat 662 | Advanced Mathematical Statistics II |
| Stat 663 | Advanced Mathematical Statistics III |
| Stat 664 | Theory of Linear Models I |
| Stat 665 | Theory of Linear Models II |
| Stat 666 | Theory of Linear Models III |
| Stat 567 | Applied Probability I |
| Stat 568 | Applied Probability II |
| Mth 667 | Stochastic Processes and Probability Theory I |
| Mth 668 | Stochastic Processes and Probability Theory II |
| Mth 669 | Stochastic Processes and Probability Theory III |
| Stat 671 | Statistical Learning I |
| Stat 672 | Statistical Learning II |
| Stat 673 | Statistical Learning III |
| CS 545 | Machine Learning |
| Ec 572 | Time Series Analysis and Forecasts |
| USP 655 | Advanced Data Analysis: Structural Equation Modeling |
Other statistically orientated courses outside the Department and other mathematics courses may be substituted, but must be approved as electives by the MS Statistics program advisor. "Approved as elective" means that it is approved inside the 15 elective credit hours but not inside the 30 credit hour core requirements. A course or sequence cannot be counted both within the 30-credit core and as an elective course or sequence.
Other Requirements
The student must satisfy one of the following options:
Option A: Pass both Master’s examinations.
Option B: Pass the Mathematical Statistics exam and successfully complete STAT 501.
Option C: Pass the Applied Statistics exam and successfully complete STAT 501.
Master's Examinations
There are two examinations:
(I) The Mathematical Statistics exam which covers Stat 561, 562, 563
(II) The Applied Statistics exam which includes the core topics covered in Stat 564, 565, and 566.
Examinations are scheduled twice per year, the week before the Fall term and during the first week of Spring term. Students may take any examination at most two times. Students must be registered for and complete at least one graduate credit during the term in which they take an exam. Refer to the MS Exam Policy for further details.
Grading Policy for the MS Exam in Applied Statistics
The Applied Statistics Exam is comprised of two components:
- Applied regression analysis
- Design of experiments and ANOVA
Both components consist of a written exam portion and a separate, in-laboratory, statistical computing applications portion. The Applied Statistics Exam may be repeated once; that is, a maximum of two tries is permitted.
A Pass (P) or Fail (F) is given on each component.
- Two P's equal a PASS on the exam.
- One P equals a CONDITIONAL PASS on the exam. The Examination Committee will inform the student of the requirements for removal of the Conditional.
- Two F's equal a FAIL on the exam. In this case the entire exam must be retaken.
STAT 501 Statistical Literature and Problems
In this required course, a student works under the supervision of a faculty member in an area of probability and statistics in which the student has acquired the background needed to read current probability and statistical literature, prepare a research paper, and present this research in a colloquium. Refer to Guidelines and Deadlines for Literature and Problems Seminar for course requirements.
Grades
A student must have a minimum 3.00 GPA on the courses applied to the program of study, as well as a minimum 3.00 GPA in all graduate-level courses taken at PSU. Although grades of C+, C, and C- are below the graduate standard, they may be counted as credit toward a master’s degree with the specific written approval of the department if taken at PSU after the term of formal admission to the graduate program. All courses counting toward the degree must be letter-graded. The pass/no pass option is not allowed.
Graduate Policies and Procedures
Students are responsible for knowing University-level graduate policies and procedures for obtaining the degree. These policies and procedures are in Graduate School section of the University Bulletin. Several of the most frequently asked about University-level graduate policies and procedures can also be found on the Graduate School web site.