Overview of Graduate Academic Programs

 

Statistics graduate students

The Department of Statistics at The Ohio State University offers a Master of Applied Statistics, Master of Science in Statistics, a PhD in Statistics and jointly offers a PhD in Biostatistics with the College of Public Health.

Master of Applied Statistics (MAS)

The goal of the Master of Applied Statistics (MAS) is to prepare graduate students to enter positions in applied statistics in business, industry, and government. Students enrolled in other graduate programs at the university have the opportunity to pursue a dual degree to complete the MAS simultaneous to their other degree. See our dual degree page for details.

Master of Science (MS) in Statistics

The MS in Statistics degree can act as either a terminal degree or as a stepping-stone to the PhD program. The requirements for this degree are more theoretical than those for the MAS. This degree program is flexible enough to provide preparation for a career in applied statistics or it can be composed entirely of the first two years of coursework for the statistics or biostatistics PhD programs. Note that admission to our MS program in no way guarantees admission to either of our PhD programs.

PhD in Statistics

The core of the PhD program consists of course work in mathematical statistics as well as a variety of applied and theoretical courses in various topical areas. In the early part of the program, students complete required and elective course work in addition to qualifying examinations. Note that we admit students to the statistics department to work in statistics, but not to work with a particular faculty member. For a student’s first two years in the program, the Graduate Studies Chair of the department serves as the advisor and students are encouraged to take independent study courses with faculty members they might like to work with. After the second year, students, together with faculty members, decide who will be their PhD dissertation advisor(s) and committee members. After completing the qualifying exams and course work, students focus on research and finish the program with their dissertation and defense. Students typically complete the program in about five years although it is possible to finish in less time, depending on the student’s dissertation progress.

Interdisciplinary PhD Program in Biostatistics

The Interdisciplinary PhD Program in Biostatistics is a joint venture between The Ohio State University Department of Statistics and the Division of Biostatistics in the College of Public Health. Students in this program choose between one of two specializations: methodology and public health. Both specializations require a core curriculum in theoretical and applied statistics. See the PhD Program in Biostatistics website for details.

Graduate Minors in Statistics

The Department of Statistics offers two graduate minor programs. Official recognition of the completion of either of these minor programs will appear on the student's university transcript. The first minor is a Graduate Minor in Statistics. This program includes a theoretical component in addition to applied coursework. Students must have a good calculus background in order to complete this minor degree. The second minor is a Graduate Minor in Statistical Data Analysis. All coursework for this minor is applied. The Graduate Minor in Statistical Data Analysis does not require any formal mathematics beyond the ability to work with simple formulas and equations, material ordinarily covered in a high school algebra course. See our graduate minors page for more information.

Graduate Interdisciplinary Specializations

A graduate interdisciplinary specialization (GIS) provides graduate students with access to interdisciplinary study and provides formal recognition of such study on the student's transcript. A graduate interdisciplinary specialization involves two or more graduate programs outside the student's major graduate program. More information is available from the Graduate School.


Questions?

Current students in the MAS, MS and PhD in Statistics should consult the department's program guide for details on the requirements and refer to the current students pages of the website for more information. Questions should be directed to the Graduate Program Coordinator, Caitlin Donahue (donahue.250@osu.edu).

Prospective graduate students should refer to the prospective students pages of the website for more information. If you have questions that are not addressed on the website, see our prospective student contact page for contact information.

Refer to our graduate minors page for more information on our graduate minors and contact information for our Chair of Graduate Minors.

See the PhD Program in Biostatistics website for details regarding the PhD in Biostatistics.