The M.S. plan of study requires 34 semester hours of work, of which 32 semester hours must be taken within the department. Additional courses rounding out a plan of study may be taken at the graduate level in applied or theoretical statistics, mathematics, or in approved areas of application. The department offers thesis and non-thesis options for the MS degree. Each student must pass a qualifying examination after completing the core courses and a final oral examination after completing the plan of study. The Department of Statistics offers thesis and non-thesis Master of Science programs, both requiring 34 semester hours, including at least 31 semester hours of work within the department. Students should expect to complete the master's degree in 18 months of graduate study.<br>Our graduate programs specialize in training students in statistical theory balanced with extensive applications including practical experience via our collaboration and consulting program. The 18-month master's degree program is a model of the time-efficient education of statisticians while the doctoral program allows candidates to specialize in General Statistical Methodology and Theory, Statistics for Business, Government, and Industry, Biostatistics, Computational Statistics, or Environmental Statistics.