Statistics and Data Science (PHD)

For admission to the Ph.D. Program in Statistics & Data Science, applicants must have or be in the process of completing an M.S. in Statistics, Biostatistics, Mathematics, or Applied Mathematics, or an advanced degree in a field that makes significant use of quantitative methods, with at least a 3.0 overall grade point average (GPA). A student who wishes to apply to the Ph.D. program without an M.S. and with only a Baccalaureate degree may do so, but is required to meet all other M.S. and Ph.D. entrance requirements as stipulated herein. 

All students entering the Program are required to have a substantive background in mathematics, including at least three semesters of Calculus through multivariable/vector calculus (at the level of MATH 125, MATH 129, MATH 223), one semester of Linear Algebra (at the level of MATH 215), and experience with computer technologies.

For Ph.D. applicants, at least one introductory course in statistical methods (at the level of MATH 263) is required. In addition, at least one semester of upper-division Probability (e.g., MATH 464) and (for Ph.D. students) two semesters of upper-division Real Analysis (e.g., MATH 425A-425B) are strongly recommended. M.S. and Ph.D. applicants must also show scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE - general test only) that exceed 75th percentile Quantitative and 50th percentile Verbal. (GRE scores must be dated no older than five years from the time of application to the program.)

Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must exhibit proficiency in English as per the Graduate College's basic requirements for this proficiency.

Along with these materials, a Statement of Purpose describing the applicant's interests and goals for graduate study in interdisciplinary statistics, a list of college-level statistics and mathematics courses completed (including final grades) or in progress, and a minimum of two letters of recommendation from university faculty members familiar with an applicant's academic and scholarly abilities are also required. (Applicants who wish to submit additional letters may do so; however, letters from non-academic sources are treated with lesser weight by the Recruiting & Admissions Committee.) An attendant curriculum vitae is optional, but recommended. 

Required test(s):
GRE General test

Minimum GRE Verbal: must exceed 50th percentile
Minimum GRE Quantitative: must exceed 75th percentile

English Proficiency test required for international applicants only

Financial assistance is available for qualified applicants, in the form of Graduate Research or Teaching Assistantships. In order to receive financial aid, the GIDP requires that:* each student must exhibit full-time graduate status, which requires registration for a minimum of 9 units each semester; and* each student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher while enrolled in the Statistics graduate program.

To be eligible for financial assistance, applicants from non-English speaking countries must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency in order to communicate effectively when instructing or describing modern statistical concepts to fellow scholars and scientists.  The requirements can be found at this web address:

https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants#english-proficiency

These policies are independent of any specific form of financial assistance (Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, Fellowship, etc.) the student receives. No waivers or exceptions are permitted. Additional information on financial support in the GIDP is available in the pertinent section of the Statistics Graduate Student Handbook.

The GIDP in Statistics is a small program, and as such only limited assistance is available. Graduate student support is not guaranteed for any student in the program, and as such competition for this assistance is very high. Consideration is generally given first to students in the Ph.D. program, although financial support for M.S. students is possible when resources permit.

Students are encouraged to seek out funding from a variety of sources; the Graduate College has online resources which can facilitate this effort. Students are also strongly encouraged to apply for Research Assistantship support through faculty and fellowship awards from local and national agencies.

Domestic and International Applicants:

• Fall: January 1
• Spring: September 21 - program permission required

International applicants may be considered for conditional admission to this program at the department's discretion.

ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: http://stat.bio5.org/sites/default/files/GradHandbook1-13.doc