Program Overview

Master of Arts in Statistics

The Master of Arts in Statistics program at Washington University in St. Louis requires 36 units of coursework and an optional thesis. The minimum residence requirement is one full academic year of graduate study, and a GPA of B (3.0) or better must be maintained in graduate courses.

Program Requirements

• Total Units Required: 36 units
• Degree Length: Three to four semesters
  • Note: Students must be enrolled in 9 graduate credits each semester to retain full-time status. As students complete their coursework, if enrolled in fewer than 9 graduate credits, they must enroll in a specific Arts & Sciences graduate course that will show 0 units but does count as full-time status.

Master's Candidacy

To earn a master’s degree at Washington University, a student must complete all courses required by their department; maintain satisfactory academic progress; fulfill all academic and residence requirements; and apply to graduate via Workday Student.

Course Requirements

The student must take (or have taken) the following six required courses in statistics or their equivalents:

• One of the following two sequences:
  • SDS 5010: Probability (6 units)
  • SDS 5020: Mathematical Statistics
  • SDS 5061: Theory of Statistics I (6 units)
  • SDS 5062: Theory of Statistics II
• Plus:
  • SDS 5071: Advanced Linear Models I (3 units)
  • or SDS 5130: Linear Statistical Models
  • SDS 5210: Statistical Computation (or a suitable substitute elective approved by the department) (3 units)
  • SDS 5310: Bayesian Statistics (3 units)
  • SDS 5910: Practical Training in Statistics (0 units)

Optional Thesis Requirements

To be eligible for the thesis option, a student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher in the first 18 units of courses satisfying the program requirements.

Master’s Degree in Statistics for Political Science PhD Students

This program is a tailored master’s degree in statistics for graduate students in political science. Note that, while the program is designed to serve political science graduate students, it is run by the Department of Statistics and Data Science.

General Requirements

• Students interested in this program will need to begin their additional coursework during their third year of study (or before).
• Students are encouraged to apply for the program in their third year, but they may prefer to try the additional courses first.

Requirements for Admission

• To be eligible for this program, students must have already passed POLSCI 5094 Mathematical Modeling in Political Science, POLSCI 5690 Quantitative Political Methodology, and POLSCI 5696 Quantitative Political Methodology II and earned a grade of A- or A in these courses.
• Students must obtain permission from the methodology field committee in the Department of Political Science.
• Students must formally apply to the Department of Statistics and Data Science Master of Arts program.

Modified Course Requirements for the Degree

Students must meet the core course requirements for the traditional Master of Arts in Statistics (typically five courses), with two exceptions:

• SDS 5130 Linear Statistical Models may be replaced with POLSCI 5690 Quantitative Political Methodology I and POLSCI 5695 Quantitative Political Methodology II, with 3 additional credits produced.
• SDS 5910 Practical Training in Statistics is not required.

Additional Course Requirements

There are three political science courses that count toward this master's degree in statistics that are required of all political science graduate students:

• POLSCI 5103 Theories of Individual and Collective Choice II
• POLSCI 5690 Quantitative Political Methodology I
• POLSCI 5695 Quantitative Political Methodology II

Electives

The following additional electives are also available for students in this program:

• POLSCI 5063 Causal Inference
• POLSCI 5626 Applied Statistical Programming
• POLSCI 5720 Topics in Quantitative Political Methodology: Computational Social Science

Thesis

To be eligible for the thesis option, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above in the first two semesters (or 18 units) of coursework satisfying the program requirements. A maximum of 3 units may be used for thesis research. The thesis must be supervised by faculty with an appointment in Statistics and Data Science (e.g., a faculty member with a joint appointment in Political Science and SDS).