Graduate Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics Programs in Illinois

What are Graduate Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics Programs?

Graduate Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics programs are often designed to strengthen student’s math knowledge and skills so that they are equipped to pursue continued education in other quantitative fields. Mathematics is essential to many fields; natural sciences, engineering, medicine, finance, business and social sciences often rely on applied mathematics and statistical analysis (enwiki), especially in our computer-driven world. Whether you are a non-math major, you are studying the field and want more targeted education in a specific area, or you need more courses to pursue graduate study, a graduate certificate in math & statistics is worth considering.

Graduate Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics: Program Basics

Depending on the university, admissions requirements for a Graduate Certificate in Math and Statistics typically include B.S. or equivalent degree from an accredited university, knowledge of College Algebra, and undergraduate GPA scores as determined by the grad school. Programs are sometimes geared to the individual who is seeking to augment current knowledge in a specific area whether as an augmentation to current knowledge, an introduction to a topic, or a Segway to a graduate degree.

FACT: Mathematicians conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields and solve problems in their field using mathematical methods (O’Net).

Usually, students from other disciplines who need to understand and use math in their careers (e.g. finance, insurance, engineering) find certificate programs useful and shorter in term than a graduate degree. Applied mathematics can be used in different professional specialties

Applied statistics graduate certificate programs are intended for individuals who wish to enhance or begin studies in applied statistics. Students typically learn about the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of numerical data (enwiki).

A graduate certificate may entail 12 credit hours of approved graduate-level coursework, and the credit may be transferable to a master’s degree program; this might depend on the university and whether you stay with that grad school for your master’s degree.

What are Types of Math and Statistics Graduate Certificates?

The primary objective of Graduate Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics Programs is to build competency in a specific topic. Mathematics encompasses pure and applied mathematics, which is considered ‘mathematical science with knowledge and has considerable overlap with statistics and other decision sciences’ (enwiki). Graduate certificates may be available in:

• Actuarial science & financial engineering
• Mathematics
• Statistics and data analytics

How long is a graduate certificate in mathematics and statistics programs?

Typical programs last from 9 months to 2 years depending on the type of study. Students may take a longer educational path.

Potential Curriculums

While curriculums vary, graduate certificates usually involve learning a set of core subjects as well as a few electives. Programs that are geared to educators who are studying in order to add math or statistics as a teaching area may have a different format.

Actuarial Science Graduate Certificates

For students preparing for a potential career in actuarial science, statistics, business or economics, a certificate in actuarial science may include course topics such as:

• Mathematics (e.g. calculus, probability, mathematical statistics, actuarial science)

Mathematics Graduate Certificates

Some graduate certificate programs in math are intended as post-master’s teaching endorsements, however, others may be oriented to theory, others more computational. Some course topics that might be covered could include subjects such as (O*Net):

• Algebra and Number Theory
• Analysis and Functional Analysis
• Applied Mathematics
• Computational Mathematics
• Geometry/Geometric Analysis
• Mathematical Statistics and Probability
• Mathematics and Statistics, Other
• Mathematics, General
• Statistics
• Topology and Foundations

Statistics and Data Analytics Graduate Certificates

Statistics can be applied to many fields; applied statistics includes descriptive statistics and the application of inferential statistics (enwiki). Depending on one’s professional focus, applied statistics might mean actuarial science, biostatistics, engineering statistics, epidemiology, geostatistics and market research, among other fields (enwiki). Statistics Graduate Certificates may include the study of topics such as (O*Net):

• Applied Mathematics
• Business Statistics
• Mathematical Statistics
• Probability
• General Mathematics
• General Statistics
• Biostatistics
• Data Analysis

Graduate Certificates in Math and Statistics: On Campus vs. Online

Choosing a program format comes down to personal preference, your location, and availability of program options amongst other variables. Many graduate schools offer Graduate Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics courses during Evenings and weekends, however, if you live geographically out of range, it may be more convenient to look into distance learning. Browse through a selection of sponsored listings to see what appeals to you or what is appropriate for your schedule. Some of these might include: Graduate Certificate in Statistics and Graduate Certificate in Data Visualization and Analysis. You can use the green tabs to request info from the schools to check into their actual curriculum. Sometimes different schools have the same type of certificate program however their courses may vary as will other factors.

Take the Next Step

Whether you are interested in teaching math or you are looking to acquire a skill set that is useful in fields such as business, education, health, pharma, science, government, or technology, a graduate certificate may answer your academic needs. In addition, you may also gain the knowledge to apply immediately in your workplace, helping to make you a more effective problem solver for your organization. Why not see whether a Graduate Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics will help you accomplish your academic and vocational goals!

GradSchools.com offers 4 Graduate Schools with Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics Graduate Programs in Illinois