Statistics GIDP Admissions Policies

The following material summarizes Policies for Admission to the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program (GIDP) in Statistics at the University of Arizona (UA). Complementary details are available at the UA Graduate College webpage for the Statistics Graduate Program. To contact the GIDP, see below.

Introduction
Requirements
Deadlines
Financial Assistance
Applications
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Contact us

Introduction:

The GIDP in Statistics offers interdisciplinary courses of study leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Statistics, along with a 12-unit Graduate Certificate. A Ph.D. minor in Statistics is also available for students already registered into a Ph.D. program other than Statistics here at the UA. Our mission is to develop the next generation of data scientists, trained to meet the challenges of modern interdisciplinary data extraction, analysis, and interpretation.

The GIDP supports and encourages the central role of statistical and quantitative thinking in the biological, physical, engineering, financial, and social sciences. Necessary training is provided for students to develop core expertise in statistical theory and methodology, and also for students who will apply their statistical knowledge in practical, transdisciplinary research; targeted subject-matter specialties include, but are not limited to biometry, bioinformatics, biostatistics, econometrics & financial statistics, educational statistics, operations research & applied probability, psychometrics, spatial/spatio-temporal analysis, statistical genetics/genomics, stochastic modeling, and quantitative risk assessment.

The listed Faculty of the GIDP are actively involved in the supervision and/or instruction of Statistics graduate students. The departmental affiliations of the faculty on this list give an indication of the breadth of their interdisciplinary research expertise. In addition, the Program has a substantial number of Affiliate Faculty who are involved in research with a strong statistical component and who can be called upon to be potential research advisors. The combined network of Regular Statistics Faculty and Affiliate Faculty creates a unique foundation of interdisciplinary research opportunities in statistics.

Requirements:

For admission to the M.S. Program in Statistics or the Graduate Certificate Program in Statistics, applicants must have or be in the process of completing a Baccalaureate Degree, either in a mathematical field or a field that makes significant use of quantitative methods, with at least a 3.0 overall grade point average (GPA). A previous degree in Statistics or Biostatistics is useful, but not required.

For admission to the Ph.D. Program in Statistics, applicants must have or be in the process of completing an M.S. in Statistics, Biostatistics, Mathematics, or Applied Mathematics, or an advanced degree in a field that makes significant use of quantitative methods, with at least a 3.0 overall grade point average (GPA). A student who wishes to apply to the Ph.D. program without an M.S. and with only a Baccalaureate degree may do so, but is required to meet all other M.S. and Ph.D. entrance requirements as stipulated herein. If her/his application is successful, the student must earn the M.S. in the GIDP "en route" to her/his Ph.D.

All students entering the Program are expected to have a substantive background in mathematics, including at least three semesters of Calculus through multivariable/vector calculus (at the level of MATH 125, MATH 129, MATH 223), one semester of Linear Algebra (at the level of MATH 215), at least one introductory course in statistical methods (at the level of MATH 263), and experience with computer technologies. At least one semester of upper-division probability (e.g., MATH 464) is strongly recommended. They must also show scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE - general test only) that exceed 75th percentile Quantitative and 50th percentile Verbal.

Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must exhibit proficiency in English. Along with the Graduate College's basic requirements for this proficiency, Statistics applicants must show the following minimum scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): pBT score above 640 and a pBT Section 1 score above 64, or iBT score above 106 and an iBT Speaking score above 28.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination can be submitted in lieu of the TOEFL. The minimum IELTS score requirement for admissions consideration is a score of 8, with a score of no less than 7 on any individual module.

Note that the Graduate College's basic admissions requirements stipulate that scores on the TOEFL or the IELTS must be dated within 24 months of the term of intended enrollment. Scores older than this are considered out-of-date and cannot be used to support a student's application.

Along with these materials, a Statement of Purpose describing the applicant's interests and goals for graduate study in interdisciplinary statistics, and a minimum of two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with an applicant's academic and scholarly abilities are also required. An attendant curriculum vitae is optional, but recommended. Complete application procedures are given in the Applications section of this website.

Deadlines:

M.S. and Ph.D.: Submission of all materials for the M.S., and Ph.D. Programs are due as follows (no exceptions are permited):

Domestic Applicants:
Fall: January 21
Spring: August 21 (of year prior to matriculation)

International Applicants:
Fall: January 01
Spring: August 01 (of year prior to matriculation)

No Summer admissions are considered.

Graduate Certificate: Submission of materials for the Graduate Certificate Program are accepted year-round on a continuing basis. Due dates for all applicants are February 1 and May 1 (for Fall admissions), and August 1 and November 1 (for Spring admissions). Applicants who miss a due date will automatically be moved to the next due date for consideration.

Financial Assistance:

Financial assistance is available for qualified applicants, in the form of Graduate Research or Teaching Assistantships. In order to receive financial aid, it is necessary to have status as a full-time graduate student, which requires registration for a minimum of 9 units each semester. Additional information on financial support in the GIDP is available in the pertinent section of the Statistics Graduate Student Handbook.

The GIDP in Statistics is a small program, and as such only limited assistance is available. Graduate student support is not guaranteed for any student in the program, and as such competition for this assistance is very high. Consideration is generally unaffected by an applicant's program status (M.S. or Ph.D.), although when a large number of competitive applications is received, Ph.D. support may be slightly more prevalent than M.S. support.

Students are encouraged to seek out funding from a variety of sources; the Graduate College has online resources which can facilitate this effort. Students are also strongly encouraged to apply for Research Assistantship support through faculty and fellowship awards from local and national agencies.

Applications:

As described in the Requirements above, the following materials are necessary to submit a complete application to the GIDP in Statistics:

• Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher learning.

• Official scores from the GRE (general test only). Photocopies of the official scores are acceptable for transmission to the GIDP office, although the Graduate College will require original documents for formal admission.

• If required (see above), official scores from the TOEFL or the IELTS. Photocopies of the official scores are acceptable for transmission to the GIDP office, although the Graduate College will require original documents for the formal application.

• Two (2) letters of recommendation.

• A Statement of Purpose describing the applicant's interests and goals for graduate study in interdisciplinary statistics. Include a list of all statistics and probability courses taken in college or graduate school.

• A CV is recommended, but optional.

All required materials must submitted via the Graduate College website at https://apply.grad.arizona.edu/. In the course of completing your application you will be asked to upload a number of required documents, as per the list above. A student's application will not be reviewed for admission by the Statistics GIDP until all required materials are received as part of her/his online application to the Graduate College. If for any reason you are unable to provide these documents electronically, please contact the Program in Statistics Graduate Office at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (520) 621-2016.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

• Please tell me the key factors on which your department depends in evaluating the admission of a candidate.
  
  

  Each application is judged on its own merits, which can vary from student to student. However, all applicants must show scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE--general test only) that exceed 75th percentile Quantitative and 50th percentile Verbal. (Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must also exhibit proficiency in English by scoring the following minimum scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language [TOEFL]: pBT score above 640 and a pBT Section 1 score above 64, or iBT score above 106 and an iBT Speaking score above 28.) Graduate College regulations also require that all admitted students present at least a 3.0 overall grade point average (GPA) in their undergraduate (for Graduate Certificate and M.S. applicants) and graduate (for Ph.D. applicants) coursework. In general, applications showing superior achievement in statistical and mathematical background and training generally hold a greater advantage in terms of admissions success, although a strong indication of background and interest in interdisciplinary statistical study is also necessary.
  

   

• How long does your program take? Is a thesis required?
  
  

  The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 71 units of graduate coursework. A Doctoral Dissertation is required to complete the degree. The entire Ph.D. program usually takes 4-5 years of study past the Bachelor's Degree.
  The M.S. degree requires a minimum of 30 units of graduate coursework. An M.S. Thesis is part of the program, but a non-thesis option does exist. The entire M.S. can be completed (typically) in four semesters of graduate study.
  The Graduate Certificate requires a minimum of 12 units of graduate coursework. No thesis is required. Completion times for the Graduate Certificate vary, depending on the student's schedule and plans for her/his curriculum.
  

   

• Is your Statistics program applied or theory-oriented?
  
  

  The Graduate Program in Statistics at the University of Arizona is an interdisciplinary training program designed to train active and creative quantitative researchers and practitioners. Successful graduates will work at the forefronts of modern scientific study, and will develop statistical techniques and practical innovations that advance the subject matter in those forefront areas. Such an interdisciplinary focus requires strong analytical and computational skills, in addition to a deep knowledge of the discipline from which the new research problems arise. The student chooses her or his own focus, which can be highly theoretical or highly applied. Throughout, only an undercurrent of strong interdisciplinarily is required.
  

   

• I am currently interested in doing my minor in Statistics. How do I apply?
  
  

  The Ph.D. minor in Statistics is available to actively enrolled Ph.D. students at the University of Arizona, whose major is in a field outside of the Statistics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program. Requirements for the Ph.D. minor are listed online at PhD Minor. To apply, a Ph.D. student indicates the Statistics minor on her/his Doctoral Plan of Study (DPOS) and has it approved by her/his advisor and major department/program. The student must also complete a Statistics Minor Form and submit it to the Statistics Graduate Office. After completion of the required coursework, final approval for the minor must be received from a Regular Faculty Member of the Statistics GIDP chosen to sit on the student's graduate committee and the Chair of the Statistics GIDP.
  

   

• How or where do I obtain a copy of a course outline/syllabus (or a detailed list of topics to be covered) for courses in the Statistics Program?
  
  

  All courses available for credit in the Statistics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program are listed online at Statistics Courses. Where available, links to specific courses give more information. For details on the syllabus and outline for a particular offering of a course, contact the most recent instructor of the course.
  

   

• What is your GRE expectation for prospective students?
  
  

  All students entering the Program are expected to show scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE--general test only) that exceed 75th percentile Quantitative and 50th percentile Verbal. Students who score below one or both of these percentiles are encouraged to retake the examination to bring up their scores. There is no limit to the number of GRE examination scores the Statistics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program will consider as part of a student's application file.
  

   

• Are there any application requirements for my current Grade Point Average?
  
  

  The Graduate College requires that all admitted students present at least a 3.0 overall grade point average (GPA) in their undergraduate (for Graduate Certificate and M.S. applicants) and graduate (for Ph.D. applicants) coursework.
  

   

• Are your requirements for the GRE negotiable?
  
  

  No. The minimum GRE requirements for entry into the Statistics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program are not negotiable.
  

   

• Is contacting a specific professor at the University of Arizona helpful to my application?
  
  

  Possibly, although no set rule applies. If you are aware of a Statistics Program Faculty Member whose research targets specific areas of interest to you, you may wish to contact that Professor to determine if s/he has any openings for new graduate students. No guarantees can be made prior to an application's review by the Statistics Recruiting & Admissions Committee, and all applications must meet or exceed the Statistics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program's general requirements for admission.
  

   

• Will you accept recommendation letters via email with the application?
  
  

  Required recommendation letters from former instructors or other knowledgeable professionals should be sent directly to the Statistics GIDP at the address listed below. Electronic copies may be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   in preliminary form, but final paper copies must have been received by mail or courier at the address below before an application for admission will be considered.
  

   

• How can I acquire recommendation forms? Or are these not required?
  
  

  Two recommendation letters are required as part of the application; however, there are no specific forms for them. Preferred is a letter or memo from the person writing a recommendation on the applicant's behalf, addressed and sent directly to the Statistics Recruiting & Admissions Committee at our contact address.
  

   

• I want to submit my recommendation letters by mail. Is there a specific recommendation form?
  
  

  Two recommendation letters are required as part of the application; however, there are no specific forms for them. Preferred is a letter or memo from the person writing a recommendation on the applicant's behalf, addressed and sent directly to the Statistics Recruiting & Admissions Committee at our contact address.
  

   

• What is your TOEFL expectation for prospective students?
  
  

  Statistics applicants from non-English-speaking countries must exhibit proficiency in English by scoring the following minimum scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): pBT score above 640 and a pBT Section 1 score above 64, or iBT score above 106 and an iBT Speaking score above 28.
  The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination can be submitted in lieu of the TOEFL. The minimum IELTS score requirement for admissions consideration is a score of 8, with a score of no less than 7 on any individual module.
  Note: the Graduate College's basic admissions requirements stipulate that scores on the TOEFL or the IELTS must be dated within 24 months of the term of intended enrollment. Scores older than this are considered out-of-date and cannot be used to support a student's application.
  

   

• Is there a waiver for TOEFL?
  
  

  Students are exempt from submitting English proficiency scores (such as the TOEFL) if they have completed two years of full-time, upper division, academic study at an accredited University in the U.S. See http://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements/international-students/proficiency-in-english.
  Note that the student must have completed two years of U.S. study at the time her/his application is submitted. Students who are still undertaking such study must submit a valid TOEFL or IELTS score, even if they plan to complete two years of study by the time they matriculate at the University of Arizona.
  

   

• Can I send the photocopies of my TOEFL score and GRE score instead of the official documents?
  
  

  Photocopies of original documents are acceptable for initial consideration and transmission to the Program Office. However, the Graduate College will require original documents for the formal application, and these must be received before an applicant can be offered admission to the program.
  

   

• Is a photocopy of TOEFL acceptable or do I need to submit the official document?
  
  

  Photocopies of original documents are acceptable for initial consideration and transmission to the Program Office. However, the Graduate College will require original documents for the formal application, and these must be received before an applicant can be offered admission to the program.
  

   

• What are your institutional and department codes for GRE and TOEFL?
  
  

  Institutional codes:
  

  GRE: 4832

  TOEFL: 4832

  
  

  Statistics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program codes:
  

  GRE: 0704

  TOEFL iBT: 59

  
  

   

• To where would I send supplementary materials?
  
  

  All admissions-related materials must be uploaded as part of the electronic application to the Graduate College, at https://apply.grad.arizona.edu/. A student's application will not be reviewed for admission by the Statistics GIDP until all required materials are received as part of her/his online application to the Graduate College. If for any reason you are unable to provide these documents electronically, please contact the Program in Statistics Graduate Office at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or call (520) 621-2016.
  

   

• What are your admissions criteria on the TOEFL and GRE for financial aid applications?
  
  

  No distinction is made between financial aid applicants and other applicants to the Statistics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, in terms of admissions criteria on the TOEFL (if required) and GRE.
  

   

• Can I receive full financial aid if I go to the Univ. of Arizona?
  
  

  Financial aid packages to students entering the Statistics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program are awarded on a competitive basis, with many factors driving each individual award. No guarantees are made as to the extent (full or otherwise) of any aid package, although an attempt is made to provide every student with as generous an aid package as the Program can supply.
  

   

• What are my chances of getting a scholarship?
  
  

  All forms of financial aid for students entering the Statistics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program are awarded on a competitive basis. The level of competition varies from year to year, although a general rule is that applications showing superior achievement in statistical and mathematical background and training generally hold a greater advantage. Also, all other factors being equal, a slight preference is given to students applying to the Ph.D. program over those applying to the M.S. program.
  

   

• How many first-year graduate students received financial aid last year?
  
  

  All entering Ph.D. or M.S. students in Statistics received financial aid in our previous year of graduate student recruiting.
  We do not offer financial aid to students pursuing only the Graduate Certificate in Statistics.
  

   

• Should I apply for financial aid on the application or all applicants automatically considered for financial aid?
  
  

  All applicants for the Ph.D. or M.S. in Statistics are automatically considered for financial aid, unless they specifically indicate otherwise in a separate email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
  Applicants pursuing only the Graduate Certificate in Statistics are not considered for financial aid, although they may pursue financial aid options through any outside sources that they wish; the Graduate College has online resources which can facilitate this effort.
  

   

• What's the plan of the Statistics Program to give financial aid to international students this year pursuing a Ph.D.?
  
  

  No distinction is made between financial aid applicants and other applicants to the Statistics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, in terms of domestic/international status. All other factors being equal, a slight preference is given to students applying to the Ph.D. program over those applying to the M.S. program.
  

   

• Can I have any kind of scholarship if I apply for the M.S. degree?
  
  

  Students entering the M.S. program who successfully compete for financial aid awards are assigned duties pertinent to the skills, background, and interests they exhibit when they arrive on campus. No set rule is in place for the specific form of financial aid an M.S. (or Ph.D.) student receives in the Statistics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program.
  

   

• Do I need to send you my financial certificate now or later when I am admitted?
  
  

  Send Financial Certificates and any supporting financial documents as soon as possible. Failure to have these on file will delay processing of your application.
  

   

• Who will be my temporary advisor when I arrive at the University of Arizona?
  
  

  An admitted student's initial graduate committee will be comprised of the members of the Statistics Recruiting & Admissions Committee. A temporary advisor is selected from this Committee to help direct the student when s/he first arrives. Often this is the Chair of the Statistics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, who also answers all curricular advising questions prior to each student's arrival on campus. Students form their own individual graduate committees during their first year of graduate study.
  

   

Contact Information

For questions or additional information not available on this website, contact us at:

Tel: 520.621.2016
or
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it