The M.S. degree in statistics requires a minimum of 30 hours of approved coursework in statistics and related disciplines and an M.S. research project or a thesis. Each student's program is developed in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies or a senior faculty mentor and must satisfy the following requirements:

The goals of this program are to give each student a balanced view of statistical theory and the application of statistics in practice or in substantive research and at the same time to have the student develop a broad competence in statistical methodology. The required core coursework reflects this balance. The first two requirements are for full-year sequences in data analysis and theory; and the third develops the theory underlying linear modeling. The requirement for applications of statistics can be satisfied either through intensive participation in the Consulting Forum or through an M.S. research project. Graduate students are also required to participate in a forum or seminar to gain experience in written and oral presentation. The remainder of each student's program is individualized to address the more specialized statistical demands of the selected field of concentration or the focus of multi disciplinary work. Each student may choose either the applied research project or the thesis option depending on individual interests. In either case the student can expect to work with a faculty mentor in undertaking a significant task which will culminate in polished written and oral presentations; in many cases the work will be suitable for presentation at professional society meetings or publishable in a substantive literature. A student coming to school from a position as professional statistician might choose a statistical problem arising in the workplace as the basis for an M.S. research project. A student intending to continue graduate work toward a Ph.D. might choose an M.S. research project to explore the intimate relationship of statistics to substantive fields. Alternatively, either student might choose the thesis option to tailor methodology to a new setting or to make a first essay at mathematical statistical research.