PhD in Statistics

Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics

***The PhD in Statistics program will be available for Fall 2025 enrollment. For international applicants, the Office of International Services is working to obtain authorization to issue I-20s for international students admitted to this new academic program. In the event that the authorization is not in place in time prior to the start of the term of admission, admitted international students may choose to be transferred to the PhD program in Mathematics, or to defer their admission to a subsequent term.

The PhD in Statistics will prepare students for careers in research, teaching, collaboration and leadership in statistical theory and wide areas of statistics applications and data science in universities, colleges, governmental institutions or private sectors.

The PhD program is designed to provide students with training in probability theory, statistical modeling and theoretical statistics, computational and applied statistical analysis skills required for professional achievement in areas impacted by statistics and data science-related research fields; prepare students to meet statistical analysis needs by developing the leadership and collaborative skills needed in academic and governmental institutes and industrial companies at all levels; equip students with the skills and experience necessary for creating and disseminating new knowledge through effective use of information and information systems for planning; and prepare individuals to become skilled in collecting, analyzing, critically evaluating, and presenting scientifically valid information utilized to serve specific research and empirical needs.

Students may apply with or without a master’s degree. The duration of the PhD program varies from student to student. Typically, for those with a previous master’s degree in statistics (or related field) the PhD is 5 years in duration, whereas for those without a previous master’s degree it is 6 years.

To earn the PhD, the student must fulfill the Graduate College requirements specified in the Graduate College Catalog as well as departmental requirements detailed in the MSCS Graduate Handbook,  which includes:

  1. Provide proof of an equivalent MS degree or earn a high pass on the Department's written Master's Examination.
  2. Fulfill the doctoral preliminary examinations and minor sequence requirement.
  3. Pass the doctoral oral examination.
  4. Produce and defend a thesis that makes a contribution to original research.
  5. Earn 96 semester hours of graduate credit including:
  • 32 credit hours for the eight required core courses, STAT 401: Introduction to Probability, STAT 411: Statistical Theory, STAT 481: Applied Statistic Methods II, STAT 501: Probability Theory I, STAT 511: Advanced Statistical Theory I, STAT 521: Linear Statistical Inference, STAT 522: Multivariate Statistical Analysis, and STAT 535: Optimal Design Theory I. Students entering with an MS in mathematics, statistics or related fields are exempted from the master's examination and will be allowed a maximum of 32 credit hours toward the PhD. These students will develop an academic course plan with approval of their primary advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies that ensures their completion of any remaining core courses required.
  • 40 credit hours of departmental 500-level courses which may include 500-level courses taken from the MS degree earned in residence but may NOT include thesis research (STAT 599).
  • 32 hours of thesis research (STAT 599).
  • Students are expected to take STAT 486: Statistical Consulting or participate in at least one consulting project with the Statistical Laboratory.