Ph.D in Statistics
home » PhD Programs » Ph.D in Statistics
The primary purpose of the PhD program in the Department of Statistics is to prepare statisticians for professional roles in research and applications of statistics, operations research, or biostatistics. This activity may take place in academic, business, or government settings. The distinguishing characteristic of the PhD program is its research dissertation. Consequently, a student entering the post-master's part of the program (i.e., becoming a doctoral student), must expect to embark upon a more intense phase of preparation in the theory, methods, and applications of statistics. In short, the doctoral program is designed for able students who are willing to undertake a program of advanced study and research.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 48 credits, a written qualifying examination, and a written proposal for dissertation research in student's specialty followed by an oral exam. After submitting an acceptable dissertation, the student must defend the thesis. A maximum of 24 credits of graduate work may be accepted in transfer from another institution.
Admissions requirements
Prior work in statistics is not a requirement for admission to graduate study. Applicants for admission to the graduate program must hold a bachelor's or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university and must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.8 overall and 3.2 in mathematical courses. Applicants must submit scores on the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The scores on each of the three components of the GRE (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) typically fall within the following percentile ranges:
- Verbal: 50 to 99
- Quantitative: 80 to 99
- Analytical: 50 to 99
Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or better in mathematical courses may substitute scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for the GRE. The GMAT scores must also fall within the above percentile ranges. An undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or better in mathematical courses can be used to offset a marginal score on the quantitative component of the GRE.
Grades of B or better in college-level English courses can be used to offset marginal scores on the verbal and analytical components of the GRE. Foreign students whose native language is not English must submit scores on the TOEFL exam. The minimum score is 575, and the typical range is 590 to 660. A score above 610 may be used to offset a marginal score on the verbal component of the GRE.
Two letters of recommendation and a statement of goals are required. Admission is competitive. The applicant's academic record and test scores are given the highest weight in the admissions process, although other factors, such as the applicant's ability and potential for further study as demonstrated by research publications, are also taken into consideration. A personal interview is not required but highly recommended.
