About This Degree
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.
What You Will Learn
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.
ADVISING
At a Glance
College: College of Science
Department: Mathematics and Statistics Department
USU Locations:
- Logan campus
Program Requirements
Career And Outcomes
Career Opportunities
Graduates are employed as research-track faculty or lecturers at universities and colleges as well as governmental labs, industrial research centers, and private industry. We have had 98% success at employing MS Statistics graduates, and US News ranked Statistician as one of the nation’s Top Five Careers.
Job Outlook
USU Locations
LOGAN CAMPUS
Admission
Admission Requirements
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. Application to the MS Statistics program is through the USU School of Graduate Studies website.
Students must provide:
- GRE general scores (subject exams not required). We look for Quantitative scores above 60% and Verbal scores above 40%, but the application process is competitive so higher scores may be neccessary be competitive with other applicants.
- TOEFL or IELTS (unless you have earned a degree in an English-speaking country, e.g. US, UK or Canada). To qualify for a teaching assistantship in our department the total TOEFL iBT score must be 100 or above. IELTS must be at or above 6.5 for TA consideration.
- Transcripts of all past coursework. Your GPA *must* be above 3.0 during the last two years, and *should* be above 3.5 in technical subjects.
- Contact information for three references who can speak to your academic preparation, professional goals and work ethic.
- Personal statements on our Departmental Application Form (request from the Graduate Program Coordinator, gary.tanner@usu.edu).
International students have additional admissions requirements.
Deadlines
Most students are admitted in Fall semester. The target date for Fall semester applications is January 15; admission notice and offers of support are generally mailed in March. Students are asked to accept/decline offers of support on or about April 15.
Plan Options
Students can receive the MS by pursuing one of three options:
- In the Plan A option, students complete graduate-level coursework and must write a thesis.
- The Plan B option requires the production of a paper or creative work of art and is expected to reflect equivalent scholarship standards as a thesis.
Take The Next Step
How to Apply
View our step-by-step guide on how to become an Aggie.
Request Information
Contact the School of Graduate Studies to ask questions or receive more information.
Cost and Funding
Calculate the cost of graduate school and learn about funding opportunities.
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