Regular M.S. and an Accelerated M.S. for current University of Arizona Undergrads
The University of Arizona Statistics & Data Science Graduate Interdisciplinary Program offers an M.S. program that is the result of collaboration between 18 different departments and schools across campus.
A number of University of Arizona graduate students are pursuing an M.S. in Statistics & Data Science in combination with a PhD.
30 units of the M.S. can be applied to a PhD in Statistics & Data Science.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 30 units of coursework (graded C or better) past the Bachelor’s Degree is required, made up as follows.
- STAT 564/MATH 564 – Theory of Probability
- STAT 566/MATH 566 – Theory of Statistics - A minimum grade of B is required for this course. If the student does not have a minimum grade of B, they can take the theory portion of the qualifying exam and must pass with a minimum MS pass.
- STAT 571A/MATH 571A – Advanced Statistical Regression Analysis
- STAT 571B/MATH 571B – Design of Experiments
- STAT 688A and STAT 688B/ABE 688/BIOS 688 – Statistical Consulting
- MATH 574M - Machine Learning
A maximum of 3 units of Statistical Consulting (STAT 688/ABE 688/BIOS 688) may be applied towards the Core MS course requirements.
Choose from any of the courses on the Statistics Courses web page or the Statistics Coursework Spreadsheet. A maximum of 4 units of Biostatistics Seminar (CPH 696S/EPID 696S) may be applied towards the Elective MS course requirements.
NOTE: The MS requires a Thesis or a score on the Qualifying Exam of MS Pass or PhD Pass.
STAT 910 – Thesis or any one of the following courses:
- BIOS 648– Analysis of High Dimensional Data
- BIOS 684– General Linear and Mixed Effects Models
- BIOS 686– Survival Analysis
- MATH 563/STAT 563 – Probability Math
- STAT 567A/MATH 567A – Theoretical Statistics I
- STAT 567B/MATH 567B – Theoretical Statistics II
- STAT 574B/ECON 574B – Bayesian Statistical Theory and Applications (same as ECON 696E)
- STAT 574C/SOC 574C – Categorical Data Analysis
- STAT 574E/MATH 574E– Environmental Statistics
- STAT 574S – Survey Sampling
- STAT 574T/MATH 574T – Time Series Analysis
- STAT 675 – Statistical Computing
- STAT 687/BIOS 687/EPID 687 – Theory of Linear Models
Students are expected to complete their Communication Requirements by the time of their graduation.
Students are offered two opportunities to pass their Qualifying Exams.
Master’s students have the option of completing a thesis in place of the qualifying exam. In addition to the 5 required courses, master’s students complete their degree by taking an additional 4 (with the thesis option) or 5 courses.
The two tracks of the Doctoral Program require passing a qualifying exam, a written and oral comprehensive exam, and a final dissertation defense. The Ph.D. requires 71 units of coursework, including core courses, elective courses, at least 9 units of Ph.D. minor courses, dissertation credits, and a communications requirement.
During the first two years, doctoral students complement the core curriculum with informatics, optimization and computer science coursework (for informatics track students), and real analysis and measure-theoretic based probability and statistics (for regular track students). Students are also required to have an area of emphasis for the minor. They may choose to begin their coursework towards the minor during their first two years.
Recommended Schedule
The most common first four-semester curriculum is based on the following 2+2+2+2 plan:
Fall Semester | Spring Semester | |
First |
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Second |
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Note: STAT 566 (Theory of Statistics) is required for all Statistics & Data Science programs. Students must earn a grade of B or better in STAT 566 or pass the Theory portion of the Qualifying Exam. Those that have not taken a graduate course in the theory of probability are strongly encouraged to take STAT 564 (Theory of Probability) or MATH 563 (Probability Math) before STAT 566. STAT 564 or MATH 563 is the prerequisite for STAT 566.
Extra Info
Courses may be added to or removed from this list by action of the Statistics GIDP Curriculum Committee, after approval by the GIDP Executive Committee. See Program Handbook for more information.
Complete list of courses, including course descriptions, prerequisites, and semesters offered.
Frequently Asked Questions
The requirements can be found on the admissions page.
The average completion rate for an MS in Statistics & Data Science is 2 years and requires 30 units of coursework.
The Graduate College Website has information on the cost of a Graduate University of Arizona education including a Tuition Calculator.
While an undergraduate degree in Statistics is an advantage, it is not required. For more information on the requirements and requisites see the admissions web page.
Here is a partial list of the organizations that are employing our M.S. graduates:
- University of Wisconsin
- Cincinnati Reds Baseball
- Medpace
- Arizona Statistics Consulting Laboratory
- Raytheon
- Northern Arizona University
- Afton Chemical
- Walmartlabs
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Citibank
A good starting point for information on the Accelerated Master's in Statistics & Data Science is on the Math website and the Grad College Website. For information on admissions requirements go to the Admissions page on the SDS GIDP website.
Generally the deadline is May 31 but a late application may be accepted with program approval. If you need program approval talk to the Program Coordinator.