DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICAL SCIENCE

Graduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements

Minimum requirements for admission to the graduate program in statistical science are as follows: Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree in
mathematics, statistics, engineering, a natural or social science, or business administration with mathematics through advanced calculus and linear
algebra.

Degree of Master of Science

Degree Requirements

To qualify for the M.S. degree in statistical science, the student must successfully complete at least 36 hours of study acceptable to the departmental faculty, including STAT 6304, 6327, 6328, 6336, and 6337; pass the basic written examination on the required coursework; and prepare an acceptable report and complete an oral examination emphasizing the analysis and interpretation of a data set provided by the examination committee.

Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Advancement to Candidacy

Admission to candidacy will be approved after the student passes a written qualifying examination and selects a research area on which the dissertation will be based. The written examination is ordinarily taken after completion of a minimum of 36 graduate hours, including STAT 6371 and 7327 and gauges a student’s readiness to conduct innovative research in statistical science.

Degree Requirements

To qualify for the Ph.D. degree in statistics, the student must (1) satisfy all curricular requirements as specified by the departmental faculty; (2) successfully pass the comprehensive written and oral examinations; (3) complete a minimum of three years of graduate academic work, at least one of which is in full-time residence on the campus of Southern Methodist University or at a research facility approved by the departmental faculty and the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies; and (4) write and make a successful defense of the dissertation. See the Degree Requirements section of this catalog for general requirements for the Ph.D. degree.

2/15/08