Philadelphia Graduate Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics Programs

Students typically learn about the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of numerical data[iii]. 

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.

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 specialized knowledge and has considerable overlap with statistics and other decision sciences.’[iv] Graduate certificates may be available in:

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

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[v]:

• 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.[vi] Depending on one’s professional focus, applied statistics might mean actuarial science, biostatistics, engineering statistics, epidemiology, geostatistics and market research, among other fields[vii]. Statistics Graduate Certificates may include the study of topics such as[viii]:

• 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. 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!