Statistics Graduate Programs

Statistics Graduate Programs and Curriculum

Statistics graduate schools teach core theories, applied statistics, critical thinking skills and practice principles.

In order to apply for admission to a master’s program in statistics or biostatistics, students must possess an understanding of the basic concepts and methods of statistics, along with mathematics, calculus and linear algebra. Acceptance into graduate statistics programs does not require an undergraduate degree in statistics, although good training in mathematics is essential. Many graduate schools offer degrees in fields that include a sufficient number of courses in statistics to qualify graduates for some entry-level positions with the Federal Government.

Many graduate programs in statistics often require the following coursework:

• Differential and integral calculus
• Statistical methods
• Mathematical modeling
• Design and analysis of experiments
• Applied multivariate analysis
• Mathematical statistics

Statistics Career Paths

Those with graduate degrees in statistics enter fields such as medical research, government, financial services and healthcare. Master's and Ph.D. degree holders often engage in research, develop statistical methods, or, after a number of years of experience in a particular area, become statistical consultants. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, statisticians held about 22,600 jobs in 2008. About 20 percent of these jobs were in the Federal Government, where statisticians were concentrated in the Departments of Commerce, Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Another 10 percent were found in State and local governments, and the remaining jobs were in private industry such as scientific research and pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing.

Data according to

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Ed.

Statistics Future Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) expects employment in statistics to grow 13 percent by 2018. Statisticians with a master's degree in statistics who have a strong background in an allied field such as finance, biology, engineering or computer science, are expected to have the strongest prospects of finding jobs. Salary data from the BLS reports an average annual salary of $72,610 for statisticians in 2008.