Program: Statistics (M.S.) - Kansas State University

Apr 14, 2025

2017-2018 Graduate Catalog

Master’s degree requirements

All master students should have a background in mathematics at least at the level of calculus, along with prior knowledge of matrix or linear algebra.

Two master’s degree options are available: the master’s report option and the non-report option.

For the master’s report option, the student must take 30 hours of coursework and write a report for 2 additional hours of credit in Stat 898.
For the non report option, the student must take 36 hours of coursework and pass a comprehensive exam.
Students must select either the report option or the non-report option by the first week of the fall semester of their second year in the MS program. At this time, the student is required to file a program of study. Students that do not file a program of study that specifies an explicit choice of degree option in a timely manner will be automatically assigned to the non-report option. Students are not allowed to switch between report versus non-report options after filing the program of study unless the switch is approved by the Graduate Program Committee.
Students that are interested in pursuing the report option should contact potential faculty advisors by the end of their first year in the MS program in order to allow time to identify a suitable project.
For both the Report Option and the Non-Report option: 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. In addition, international students should check with International Student and Scholar Services to be certain of the enrollment required.

In either case, the course work must include:

STAT 713 - Applied Linear Statistical Models Credits: 3
Either STAT 720 - Design of Experiments Credits: 3
or STAT 722 - Experimental Design for Product Development and Quality Improvement Credits: 3
STAT 770 - Theory of Statistics I Credits: 3
STAT 771 - Theory of Statistics II Credits: 3
STAT 860 - Linear Models I Credits: 3
Stat 945 (Statistical Consulting) is recommended for those students with applied interests.

Note:

Students planning to pursue the PhD in Statistics at K-State are required to take Stat 720.
Master’s students wishing to continue for the PhD must apply for admission to that program. Students should meet with the Department Head regarding available funding.

M.S. Exam

Master’s students in the non-report option will meet with the MS Exam committee near the beginning of the semester in which the student intends to take the MS Exam. The exam is offered twice each year, near the end of the fall and spring semesters. This committee will compose an exam based on material from Stat 770, 771, and 713. The format will be a written 3 hour exam. A decision of Pass/Fail will be made by a two thirds vote in the exam committee, in accordance with section J.3 of the Graduate School Handbook. In the event of a Fail, a second attempt may be requested by the student in accordance with Graduate School policies.

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program in statistics may, with approval of the MS Exam committee, use the Ph.D. Qualifying Exams to satisfy the exam requirement of the M.S. non-report option. A passing mark on at least one Ph.D. qualifying exam will be interpreted as a pass of the MS. Exam.