Master of Science (MS) in Statistics

We offer two distinct tracks for the MS degree.

Mathematical Statistics track
This is a traditional curriculum, designed for students who want a more theoretical background and those who intend to pursue a higher degree.
Data Science and Analytics track
This track is more computational, with a balanced approach to modeling theory and practical skills that are in growing global demand for both the private and public sectors.

Courses for the Mathematical Statistics Track:

STAT 713
STAT 720 or STAT 722
STAT 770
STAT 771
STAT 860
STAT 861

Course Titles for the Mathematical Statistics Track

STAT 713: Applied Linear Models
STAT 720: Design of Experiments
STAT 722: Experimental Design for product Development and Quality Improvement
STAT 770: Theory of Statistics I
STAT 771: Theory of Statistics II
STAT 860: Linear Models I
STAT 861: Linear Models II

Each course is 3 credit hours.
Only one of STAT 720 and STAT 722 can be used towards this degree.

Courses for the Data Science and Analytics Track:

STAT 727
At least two of: STAT 713, STAT 717, STAT 720 (or 722), STAT 730
At least one of: STAT 760, STAT 761
At least two of: STAT 764, STAT 766, STAT 768

Sample Curriculum for the Data Science and Analytics Track

Course Titles for Data Science and Analytics Track

STAT 713: Applied Linear Statistical Models
STAT 717: Categorical Data Analysis
STAT 720: Design of Experiments
STAT 722: Experimental Design for Product Development and Quality Improvement
STAT 730: Multivariate Statistical Methods
STAT 727: Statistical Computing/Numerical Methods of Statistics
STAT 760: Optimization for Data Science
STAT 761: Discrete Optimization and Scalability for Data Science
STAT 764: Applied Spatio-Temporal Statistics
STAT 766: Applied Data Mining/Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics
STAT 768: Applied Bayesian Modeling and Prediction

Each course is 3 credit hours.

Descriptions of these course can be found in the K-State Graduate Catalog or on our Courses page.

Note: Students planning to pursue the PhD in Statistics at K-State are required to take Stat 720.

Two Options for Each Track

Regardless of which track is chosen, all master's students have two options for completing their degree.

Report Option
The student must take 30 credit hours of course work, and write a report for 2 additional credit hours (STAT 898).
Non-report Option
The student must take 36 hours of course work and pass a comprehensive exam approved by the supervisory committee.

For both options, students must be enrolled in at least one hour the semester in which they plan to complete the final examination or defend their report and graduate. However, if they are an international student, they should check with International Student and Scholar Services to be certain of the enrollment required.

The report option is strongly recommended for all students, especially those for whom the master’s degree will be the terminal degree. In either case, the course work must include the required courses listed above plus electives, which have been approved by the student’s major professor.

In addition, all master students are expected to have a background in mathematics at lease at the level of calculus, along with prior knowledge of matrix or linear algebra. The Data Science and Analytics track requires proficiency of STAT 510 and STAT 511 or equivalent, and at least 3 credit hours of a programming language course that uses C, C++, Fortran, R or Python, for admission. Students without the background of STAT 510 and STAT 511 prior to admission are required to take extra credits to fulfill the requirement

Additional information about the MS in Statistics is available in K-State’s Graduate Catalog.