Applied Statistics Graduate Certificate

This graduate certiﬁcate trains students in data analysis and statistical methodology. It provides a clear record of additional instruction in statistics for future graduate programs or employers.

The General Concentration is intended to complement PhD and MS programs outside the Department of Statistics. It is also intended to be responsive to the needs of those who teach or work in government/ industry and want to increase their knowledge of statistics. The certiﬁcate emphasizes the application of statistical tools, not theory. As such, there are no required prerequisite math courses, although one semester of calculus is strongly recommended.

The Federal Statistics Concentration is targeted at upgrading the skills of current practitioners. The federal statistical system is a complex data collection and analysis system that requires a wide variety of multidisciplinary skills for its maintenance. The Federal Statistics Certiﬁcate is intended to respond to the need for broad training in statistics, survey methods, and data analysis, including graphics and data visualization. The program is extremely flexible and can be tailored to the needs of students within the federal statistical sector. It is also intended to be responsive to the needs of those in state and local governments, and those in the private sector involved in the collection, interpretation, or statistical analysis of federal data.

Admissions

General Concentration

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum overall GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). Applicants are expected to have basic computer literacy. Successful completion of an undergraduate course in statistics is required for admission. One semester of calculus is strongly recommended.

Federal Statistics Concentration

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum overall GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) and have taken at least one course in calculus and one course in linear algebra. These minimal course requirements are normally satisfied by students who have successfully completed courses equivalent to the following Mason courses: MATH 113 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core), and MATH 203 Linear Algebra, or MATH 321 Abstract Algebra. Candidates must also be computer literate.

Policies

For policies governing all graduate certificates, see AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates.

Banner Code: EC-CERG-ASTA

Certificate Requirements

Total credits: 12

This certificate may be pursued on a part-time basis only.

Concentration in General (GEN)

Coursework

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Select 12 credits from the following list:		12
STAT 515	Applied Statistics and Visualization for Analytics
STAT 517	Experimental Design
STAT 522	Applied Multivariate Statistics
STAT 525	Nonparametric Statistics and Categorical Data Analysis
STAT 526	Applied Regression Analysis
STAT 532	Introduction to Statistical Software Packages
STAT 535	Analysis of Experimental Data ¹
STAT 539	Topics in Applied Statistics
STAT 560	Biostatistical Methods
STAT 574	Survey Sampling I ²
STAT 674	Survey Sampling II
Total Credits		12

¹: STAT 535 is the prerequisite for all other courses besides STAT 574 and STAT 674. A student with sufficient background in statistics may seek a waiver of the STAT 535 prerequisite from the appropriate course instructor.
²: Enrollment in STAT 574 requires special permission from the course instructor.

Concentration in Federal Statistics (FSS)

Some courses may have prerequisites beyond minimal admission requirements for which students must qualify or seek a waiver from the course instructor.