This is a named option within the Statistics PhD. Find information about the traditional Statistics PhD program requirements and policies here.
Admissions
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | December 1 |
| Spring Deadline | The program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | The program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not Required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241. |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
Applicants holding a bachelor's degree with a natural science, social science, or engineering major and strong mathematical background are encouraged to apply for admission to the graduate program in statistics. Applicants are advised to undertake graduate work in statistics only if their undergraduate grades in mathematics were uniformly high.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Named Option Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 51 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 32 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 26 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203. |
| Other Grade Requirements | A grade of B or better must be received in any course used to fulfill the required and elective course requirements. |
| Assessments and Examinations | Students must pass the PhD qualifying examination, an oral preliminary examination on a topic selected with the approval of the student's advisor, and a dissertation defense. |
| Language Requirements | No language requirements. |
| Graduate School Breadth Requirement | Statistics doctoral students are not required to complete a minor or graduate/professional certificate by the Graduate School. The program does require students to meet the breadth requirement in one of three ways: 1) Complete an Option A (external) minor 2) Complete an Option B (distributed) minor consisting of at least 9 credits outside the Department of Statistics, at least 3 credits of which must be from course(s) numbered 600 or higher. 3) Complete a Breadth Option (called "Option C" in the statistics department) consisting of at least two of the following three: participatory seminar experience, collaborative research experience, and/or a breadth course. See the program website (https://stat.wisc.edu/graduate-studies/phd-program/) for more details. |
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| Students must complete the following courses. | ||
| STAT/MATH 709 | Mathematical Statistics I | 4 |
| STAT/MATH 710 | Mathematical Statistics II | 4 |
| STAT/MATH 733 | Theory of Probability I | 3 |
| or STAT 771 | Computational Statistics | |
| STAT 849 | Advanced Statistical Methods | 3 |
| STAT 850 | Theory and Application of Regression and Analysis of Variance II | 3 |
| STAT 998 | Statistical Consulting | 3 |
| Electives | 18 | |
| Students must complete at least 18 credits of STAT courses. Courses must be numbered 700 and above. Students may use STAT/B M I 641 and 642 to satisfy a portion of the electives requirement. | ||
| Statistical Methods for Clinical Trials | ||
| Statistical Methods for Epidemiology | ||
| Breadth | 2-12 | |
| Research | ||
| Students may complete sufficient credits of STAT 990 to reach the 51-credit minimum. | ||
| STAT 990 | Research | 1-12 |
| Total Credits | 51 | |
Electives Requirement
Courses that do not satisfy the electives requirement include: STAT 609 Mathematical Statistics I, STAT 610 Introduction to Statistical Inference, STAT 699 Directed Study, STAT/MATH 709 Mathematical Statistics I, STAT/MATH 710 Mathematical Statistics II, STAT 849 Advanced Statistical Methods, STAT 850 Theory and Application of Regression and Analysis of Variance II, STAT 990 Research.
If STAT 992 Seminar is used to satisfy the elective requirement, only 3 credits from any one topic is allowed.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Named Option-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions
With program approval, students are allowed to transfer no more than 9 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions toward the minimum graduate degree credit and graduate coursework (50%) requirements. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison
With program approval, up to 6 statistics credits from a UW–Madison undergraduate degree numbered 600 or above are allowed to transfer toward the minimum graduate degree credit requirement. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison
With program approval, up to 15 statistics credits completed at UW–Madison while a University Special student numbered 300 or above are allowed to transfer toward the minimum graduate degree credit requirement. Of these credits, those numbered 700 or above or are taken to meet the requirements of a capstone certificate and has the "Grad 50%" attribute may also transfer toward the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
Three consecutive reviews in which a student fails to meet the minimum criteria for satisfactory progress will result in the student being dropped from the program. Contact the program for more information.
Advisor / Committee
Students are required to meet with their advisor near the beginning of each semester to discuss course selection and progress.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credits
Time Limits
Students must pass the PhD qualifying examination within six semesters from the first fall semester of registration as a graduate student in the department. Students who complete a master's in the department and then are admitted to the PhD program must pass the PhD qualifying examination within four semesters after entering the PhD program.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
Students should contact the department chair or program director with questions about grievances. They may also contact the L&S Academic Divisional Associate Deans, the L&S Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning Administration, or the L&S Director of Human Resources.
Other
Students pursuing the general statistics and biostatistics options are considered for department financial support and may seek a dual degree if desired.
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.