Master of Science in Statistics

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

The Master of Science in Statistics is a thirty-six hour program designed to produce professionally competent statisticians who will be able to accept positions in business, industry and public service. The degree also provides the academic foundations needed to pursue doctoral studies. The program may be completed with or without a thesis.

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate program in Statistics must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  1. Graduate Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Official transcript(s) of all previous college work
  4. Official GRE scores
  5. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international applicants)
  6. Three letters of recommendation 

An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred for admission into the Statistics program. However, GPA and GRE scores do not constitute the primary criteria for admission. Based on a review of an applicant's undergraduate transcript, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics may require completion of undergraduate stem courses as a condition for admission.

The degree requires a minimum of thirty-six hours of graduate credit. An oral comprehensive examination is administered by the advisory committee for each degree candidate. The oral examination must be scheduled with the Graduate Advisor at least three weeks in advance.  Students must be enrolled the semester in which they take the comprehensive examination. Requirements specified in the degree plan are subject to minor modification by the department. Also, to ensure a balanced program, all electives must be approved by the graduate advisor or an authorized representative of the graduate Statistics faculty.

Master of Science (MS) in Statistics (Thesis option)

Master of Science in Statistics (Thesis)
Specified Courses
STAT 5333Dsgn & Anal Of Experiments3
STAT 5361Thry & Appltn Of Probability3
STAT 5362Thry & Appltn Of Statistics3
STAT 5364Applied Multi Statistical Anal3
STAT 5368Regression Modeling & Analysis3
Electives
Select five of the following:15
Special Topics
Numerical Linear Algebra
Special Topics In Statistics
Linear Statistical Models
Sampling Methods
Reliability Anal & Qual Ctrl
Stat Computing & Consulting
Nonparametric Statistics
Applied Bayesian Analysis
Biostatistics
Time Series Analysis
Intro. To Survival Analysis
Longitudinal Data Analysis
Thesis
STAT 6099Research and Thesis3
STAT 6398Research And Thesis3
Total Hours36

Master of Science (MS) in Statistics (non-thesis option)

Master of Science in Statistics (Non-thesis)
Specified Courses
STAT 5333Dsgn & Anal Of Experiments3
STAT 5361Thry & Appltn Of Probability3
STAT 5362Thry & Appltn Of Statistics3
STAT 5364Applied Multi Statistical Anal3
STAT 5368Regression Modeling & Analysis3
STAT 6380Statistics Practicum3
Electives
Select six of the following:18
Special Topics
Fourier Analysis & Application
Numerical Linear Algebra
Applied Analysis
Scientific Computation
Special Topics In Statistics
Linear Statistical Models
Sampling Methods
Reliability Anal & Qual Ctrl
Stat Computing & Consulting
Nonparametric Statistics
Applied Bayesian Analysis
Biostatistics
Time Series Analysis
Intro. To Survival Analysis
Longitudinal Data Analysis
Total Hours36

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The MS in Statistics is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Analyze data to solve problems in a wide variety of industries.
  • Develop statistical models and communicate the results in professional reports.
  • Experience with multiple phases of course preparation or teaching introductory statistics courses.
  • Preparation for further study at the doctoral level in statistics or closely related areas.