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Online Program

Master of Applied Statistics (M.A.S.)

Overview

The M.A.S. program provides graduates with broad knowledge in a wide range of statistical application areas. These highly sought-after skills in statistics are currently in demand in government agencies, consulting firms, and industry.

The Master of Applied Statistics is intended for quantitatively oriented students with Bachelors' degrees in agricultural, biological, business, computer, engineering, mathematical, physical or social sciences or a related field. This program is also suitable for professionals who handle data in their current positions, and who are mostly interested in the practical side of statistics.

This program is offered both as a resident program at the University Park campus as well as an online program delivered through World Campus.

What are the Requirements?

A minimum of 30 credits and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 are required for graduation. Of  the 30 credits, 24 must be courses from the Statistics department and 21 must be at the 500 level.

There are five required core courses (number of credits is in parentheses) [prerequisites are in brackets]:

  • STAT 414. Introduction to Probability Theory (3). [Multidimensional calculus]
  • STAT 415. Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (3). [STAT 414]
  • STAT 501. Regression Methods (3).

    [6 credits of Statistics or STAT 500 plus matrix algebra]
  • STAT 502. Analysis of Variance and Design of Experiments (3). [STAT 501]
  • STAT 580 (2) and STAT 581 (1). Statistical Consulting  Practicum sequence*. [STAT 502; STAT 503 or STAT 504 or STAT 506]

*Note. The sequence of STAT 580 (2) and STAT 581 (1) should be taken in the last two semesters of enrollment. The sequence is offered either as a Fall-Spring sequence or as a Spring-Summer Session 1 sequence. For all MAS students, the Stat 581 course will have a comprehensive written project report required as part of the course, which serves as the culminating experience.

Elective courses

To complete the remaining credit requirements, a candidate can select 9-15 credits from the following elective courses (number of credits in parentheses) prerequisites in 

  • STAT 480, STAT 481, STAT 482. Topics in SAS (1).
  • STAT 483. Statistical Analysis System Program (3).
  • STAT 484. Topics in Stat Computing with R (1).
  • STAT 485. Intermediate Topics in Stat Computing with R (1).
  • STAT 500. Applied Statistics (3).
  • STAT 503. Design of Experiments (3).
  • STAT 504. Analysis of Discrete Data (3).
  • STAT 505. Applied Multivariate Statistical Analysis (3).
  • STAT 506. Sampling Theory and Methods (3).
  • STAT 507. Epidemiology Research Methods (3)
  • STAT 508. Applied Data Mining and Statistical Learning (3).
  • STAT 509. Clinical Trials (3).
  • STAT 510. Applied Time Series Analysis (3).
  • STAT 555 Statistical Analysis of Genomics Data

In addition to the above degree requirements, all transfer students and concurrent degree students within Penn State are required to take at least 12 of the 30 credits after admission into the MAS program.

The program at University Park can be completed in four semesters.

That may be a Fall, Spring, Fall, Spring sequence or a Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer sequence, depending on the needs of the student.

 

Online MAS Program at World Campus

An outline of the World Campus Admissions process is available at:

http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/applied-statistics-masters/apply

 

Resources

Before contacting the Department of Statistics, please review our Student Resources section.

 

Contact:

Department of Statistics, M.A.S. Programs Director

Dr. Mosuk Chow

326 Thomas Building

University Park, PA 16802

Email: mchow@stat.psu.edu