The Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics is designed to teach students the fundamental principles of statistics and the skills necessary to use statistical computer programs for data analysis. Students will learn how to choose the appropriate statistical model for a research project, prepare a data set for analysis, and use the applicable computer software program to analyze data sets. The program covers topics such as statistical inference, modeling, and computer programs (e.g. R Suite, SAS). Graduates will be prepared to use statistical methods and software programs to analyze data sets and summarize the results.

The certificate has two target audiences: 1) graduate students currently enrolled in a graduate degree program related to applied statistics (e.g., Statistics, Higher Education, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies) and 2) current data analysis professionals in organizations that gather and analyze data, such as marketing companies and nonprofit agencies.

Full-time and part-time students may enroll in the certificate program, Degree-seeking students may take courses in conjunction with their regular course load.  Students attending full-time can complete the certificate in a minimum of one academic year (two semesters) and a maximum of three academic years (six semesters).  Degree-seeking students attending part-time can complete the certificate in approximately two academic years (four semesters) and a maximum of four academic years (eight semesters).

Non-degree seeking, full-time students can complete the certificate in a minimum of one academic year (two semesters). Non-degree seeking, part-time students, taking one course per semester, can complete the certificate in two academic years (four semesters).

All students will be required to apply to the certificate program. The admission requirements will be based on enrollment status at the institution.

Degree-seeking students:

• Submit a Graduate Certificate Application
• Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or better

Non-degree seeking students:

• Submit a Graduate School Application for admission and pay the fee
• Submit a Graduate Certificate Application and pay the fee
• Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or better
• Submit official undergraduate transcripts demonstrating bachelor’s degree conferral
• Undergraduate coursework and statistics in computer programming are recommended.
• Students who have not earned a degree in the United States must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) minimum score of 90 on the internet-based (iBT) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5
• TOEFL scores of 20 or greater in Listening, Writing, Speaking, and Reading subsections

The curriculum requires coursework to develop students’ knowledge of statistical modeling (e.g., multiple linear regression, analysis of variance) and modern statistical programs (e.g., R Suite, SAS, JMP, SPSS). Students will learn about analyzing, summarizing, and interpreting the results of data analyses. Students will gain an understanding of how to prepare raw data sets for analysis and how to choose the most appropriate statistical model for a given research goal/project (e.g., hypothesis testing, interval estimation). Students will learn how to use statistical software programs to analyze a data set.

The certificate requires completion of twelve credit hours consisting of three required core courses and a fourth course selected from a choice of two restricted electives. All courses for the certificate must be graded. Students must attain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all four courses.

Program Requirements

Total Number of Credit Hours: 12 graduate credits (Transfer credits are not permitted.)
Required Core Courses – 9 credits

• STAT 5615 – Statistics in Research I. (3H, 3C)
• STAT 5616 – Statistics in Research II. (3H, 3C)
• STAT 5054 – Introduction to Statistical Computing. (3H, 3C).

Restricted Electives – 3 credits (select one)

• STAT 5024 – Communication in Statistical Collaborations. (3H, 3C)
• STAT 5904 – Project and Report. (3H, 3C)