Admission Requirements

Background in mathematics, statistics, or a quantitative field, with 30 or more quarter credits in mathematics and statistics, to include a year of advanced (second-year) calculus, one course in linear algebra, and one course in probability theory; Graduate Record Examination scores (the Advanced Mathematics subject test is strongly encouraged but not required); a statement of purpose; and three letters of recommendation from appropriate former or current faculty.

Graduation Requirements

See also the University requirements: Instructions, Policies & Procedures for Graduate Students and UW Master's Degree.

1. At least 12 approved courses (or 9 course plus a thesis; see below) numbered 400 or above, with a value of 36 credits or more. Of these, at least 6 must be approved courses numbered in the 500 series (exclusive of 512, 513, and Math 574-6) with a value of 18 credits or more, and with a coherent theme.
2. Satisfactory performance in statistical computing.
3. Satisfactory participation in statistical consulting (598 and at least one quarter of 599).
4. Attendance of the departmental seminar (1 credit per quarter in 590).
5. Presentation of a seminar to an audience including at least two faculty.
6. Passage of the master's-level theory examination.
7. Passage of the master's level applied examination, OR successful completion of a master's thesis. The thesis can count up to 3 courses worth 9 credits, but may not replace any of the 6 courses in the 500 series mentioned above.

For added clarity, we note that the program typically includes the following:

1. Two-quarter course in introductory probability (equivalent to STAT 394-5), an introductory statistics course, matrix algebra and linear analysis, MATH 327-328, and computer programming. (Most students will enter the program with at least this much training.)
2. 12 courses worth 36 credits or more:
   1. 502, 504, 512 and 513 (unless a student enters with these or equivalent background in applied and/or theoretical statistics).
   2. 1 approved 3-course sequence selected from 516-517-518, 521-522-523, 534-535-538, 570-571-572, 581-582-583.
   3. 3 additional 500-level statistics courses that blend with the selection made in (2b) to form a coherent theme (512-513 may not be used here).
   4. additional approved courses numbered 400 or above used to bring the total up to 12 (these could include approved courses from other departments).
   5. under the thesis option, the additional courses used to bring the total up may include the 9 credits of 700 required by the Graduate School in the successful completion of a master's thesis; each 3 credits would count as one course.
3. Proficiency in statistical computing (this is typically met under (2b) or (2c)).
4. Approved performance in statistical consulting (typically STAT 598 and one quarter of STAT 599).
5. One additional credit per quarter of 590 (each student will be expected to present at least one seminar during the student's tenure).
6. Passage of Master's level theoretical and applied statistics examinations.

All programs must be approved in advance by the departmental Graduate Program Coordinator, since certain combinations of courses that meet the numerical requirements will not be sufficient for approval.

For further information please contact the graduate program assistant Ellen Reynolds.

(Updated October 13 2004)