Graduate Curricula in Statistics

The Ph.D. in Statistics

The M.S. in Statistics

The Graduate Certificate in Statistics

The Ph.D. Minor in Statistics

The Ph.D. in Statistics

The Ph.D. in Statistics at the University of Arizona involves fundamental grounding in both statistical theory and methodology, along with electives that tailor students' programs to their particular interdisciplinary interests. A Ph.D. Dissertation, representing an original, substantive advance in the theory, methodology, and/or practice of statistics, completes the program of study.

Entry into the program requires an M.S. in Statistics, Biostatistics, Mathematics, or Applied Mathematics, or an advanced degree in a field that makes significant use of quantitative methods. 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. If her/his application is successful, the student must earn the M.S. in the GIDP "en route" to her/his Ph.D. More detail is available in the Statistics Graduate Student Handbook or on our GIDP Admissions Webpage.

The M.S. in Statistics

The M.S. in Statistics at the University of Arizona is built around a core of fundamental coursework in both statistical theory and methodology, with extensive flexibility added to the curriculum via interdisciplinary statistics electives. The interdisciplinary component allows students to tailor their final programs of study to their own particular interests. A total of 30 units of approved coursework is required to complete the M.S. degree.

Entry into the program requires a Baccalaureate Degree, either in a mathematical field or a field that makes significant use of quantitative methods. As part of this training, excellence must be exhibited in at least three semesters of Calculus through multivariable/vector calculus (at the level of MATH 125, MATH 129, and MATH 223) and one semester of Linear Algebra (at the level of MATH 215). Some exposure to elementary statistics is also required, at least at the level of MATH 263. A semester of upper-division probability is strongly recommended. More detail is available in the Statistics Graduate Student Handbook or on our GIDP Admissions Webpage.

The Graduate Certificate in Statistics

The Graduate Certificate in Statistics at the University of Arizona is a 12-unit graduate program intended to provide post-baccalaureate students with an introduction to the theory and methods of interdisciplinary statistics. The Certificate expands existing opportunities for potential or current University of Arizona graduate students wishing to obtain a deeper understanding of statistical methodology, inference, and practice, and offers greater depth of focus to their data-analytic training.

Students may design or select a course curriculum pertinent to their own research or professional interests from a list of advanced, statistically-rigorous courses taken from across the campus. Depending on the student's selection of Elective Courses, expertise may be gained in statistical practice, theory, and/or applications in a specialized area such as biometry, bioinformatics, econometrics, environmetrics, psychometrics, etc.

To be eligible for the Certificate Program, a student must have earned at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning. No standardized tests are required. Graduate College regulations allow for a maximum of 6 units of graduate credit earned as an undergraduate senior at the University, or in graduate non-degree status (NDS), to be applied for credit toward a Graduate Certificate. Those same regulations allow up to 6 units from a University of Arizona master's degree to count toward the Graduate Certificate. In no cases may coursework taken more than two years prior to admission to the Certificate program be transferred for credit towards the Certificate.

More detail is available in the Statistics Graduate Student Handbook. To apply to the Graduate Certificate program, see the Graduate College's website for online applications. An application fee is required, except for students currently enrolled in the Statistics GIDP.

The Ph.D. Minor in Statistics

The Ph.D. Minor in Statistics is intended for current Ph.D. students at the University of Arizona pursuing a doctoral degree in a field outside of Statistics. At the core of the program is a foundation in the theory of statistical inference (via the required course STAT 566/MATH 566); however, extensive flexibility via course electives allows students to tailor their Minor programs of study to their own interdisciplinary interests. Students may design or select a concomitant curriculum pertinent to their own research or professional interests from a list of advanced, statistically-rigorous courses taken from across the campus.

The student’s advisor, along with the GIDP Chair, should be consulted to plan the individual selection of Elective Courses. Once the Minor Courses have been determined, and prior to entering the Statistics Minor on the Doctoral Plan of Study (DPOS), the student must complete a Statistics Minor Form and submit it to the Statistics Graduate Office. For more information, see the Statistics Graduate Student Handbook or contact the Chair of the Statistics GIDP.