Course Requirements

The following core courses are required of all students. Students who have taken equivalent courses at another instituition may satisfy these requirements by transfer.

Course descriptions of both graduate level courses and senior level courses are available for you to review.

Qualifying Examination

Each student must pass two written exams, which cover the courses shown below. Students are not required to take the courses in order to take the exams.

• Applied Statistics (MATH 530, MATH 531)
• Theoretical Statistics (MATH 534, MATH 535)

Students should complete the qualifying exam within two years after enrolling in the PhD program.

Doctoral Dissertation

A doctoral dissertation, comprising original work in statistical theory or applications, must be completed and defended in an oral examination. Students should find a thesis advisor and form a thesis committee by the end of their second year. For more information, please see the detailed requirements or a sample timeline for the PhD program.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit the following materials:

• an application form, available online from the Graduate Admissions home page.
• transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work
• a statement of purpose (short essay) from the applicant briefly describing background, interests, goals at CSM, career aspirations, etc;
• three letters of recommendation; and
• the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

The Graduate School may require additional materials from some applicants, for example, applicants whose native language is not English may be required to provide proof of English proficiency by submitting TOEFL scores.

Variations from these requirements may be allowed in rare cases where exceptional promise is clear from other evidence provided.

If you are interested in our program, we'd like to learn more about you. Please complete our Online Request Form and we'll send you additional information about our program.