Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy program in statistics reflects the breadth of tools and considerations in the field, allowing students sufficient flexibility to tailor their program of study to reflect individual interests and goals. Research can be of a disciplinary or transdisciplinary nature.

Program Description

As a science, statistics focuses on data collection and data analysis by using theoretical, applied, and computational tools. The program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months, which can help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S.

At a Glance

• College/school: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

Degree Requirements

• 84 credit hours
• A written comprehensive exam
• A prospectus
• A dissertation

Required Core

• STP 526 Theory of Statistical Linear Models (3 credit hours)

Other Requirements

• IEE 572 Design Engineering Experiments (3 credit hours) or STP 531 Applied Analysis of Variance (3 credit hours)
• IEE 578 Regression Analysis (3 credit hours) or STP 530 Applied Regression Analysis (3 credit hours)
• STP 501 Theory of Statistics I: Distribution Theory (3 credit hours)
• STP 502 Theory of Statistics II: Inference (3 credit hours)
• STP 527 Statistical Large Sample Theory (3 credit hours)

Electives

• 42 credit hours
• Chosen from statistics or related area courses approved by the student's supervisory committee

Research

• 12 credit hours
• STP 792 Research (12 credit hours)

Culminating Experience

• 12 credit hours
• STP 799 Dissertation (12 credit hours)

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements
• A bachelor's or master's degree in mathematics, statistics, or a closely related area from a regionally accredited institution
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program
• Completion of prerequisite courses:
  • Calculus (MAT 270, 271, and 272)
  • Advanced calculus (MAT 371)
  • Linear algebra (MAT 342)
  • Computer programming (CSE 100)
  • Introductory applied statistics (STP 420)

Tuition Information

Tuition information can be found on the university's website.

Application Deadlines

• Fall:
  • Session A/C: In Person, 07/01 (Final)
  • Session A/C: In Person, 12/10 (Priority)

Program Learning Outcomes

• Proficient in applying advanced statistical methods in coursework and research
• Address an original research question in statistics
• Able to complete original research in statistics

Career Opportunities

• Actuary
• Business consultant or analyst
• Data science professor, instructor, or researcher
• Data scientist
• Faculty-track academic
• Financial analyst
• Market research analyst
• Software engineer
• Statistician

Additional Information

The program is designed to provide students with a broad variety of career opportunities in fields such as business, finance, engineering, technology, education, marketing, government, and other areas of the economy. The Department of Labor projects that overall employment of mathematicians and statisticians will grow 12% between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.