This is a named option within the Statistics Ph.D. Find information about the traditional Statistics Ph.D. program requirements and policies here.
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) | Required. * |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must provide an English proficiency test score and meet the Graduate School minimum requirements (https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/#english-proficiency). |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
- *
Due to COVID-19, there have been challenges for students attempting to take the GRE. Currently, the GRE requirement is waived. Regardless of whether GRE scores are submitted, all applications will be held in equal regard.
Students 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. Students are advised to undertake graduate work in statistics only if their undergraduate grades in mathematics were uniformly high.
Graduate School Resources
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 | Half of degree coursework (26 credits out of 51 total credits) must be completed graduate-level coursework; courses with the Graduate Level Coursework attribute are identified and searchable in the university's Course Guide (http://my.wisc.edu/CourseGuideRedirect/BrowseByTitle). |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. |
| 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 Ph.D. 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. |
| Doctoral Minor/Breadth Requirements | Statistics doctoral students are not required to complete a minor 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| STAT/MATH 709 | Mathematical Statistics | 4 |
| STAT/MATH 710 | Mathematical Statistics | 4 |
| STAT/MATH 733 | Theory of Probability I | 3 |
| or STAT 771 | Statistical Computing | |
| STAT 849 | Theory and Application of Regression and Analysis of Variance I | 3 |
| STAT 850 | Theory and Application of Regression and Analysis of Variance II | 3 |
| STAT 998 | Statistical Consulting | 3 |
| Elective Courses: | ||
| Eighteen or more elective credits from Statistics Courses, including: | 18-31 | |
| STAT/B M I 641 | Statistical Methods for Clinical Trials | 3 |
| STAT/B M I 642 | Statistical Methods for Epidemiology | 3 |
or 700 or higher 1 | ||
| If STAT 992 is used to fulfill the elective requirement, only 3 credits from any one topic is allowed | ||
| Sufficient credits of STAT 990 to reach the 51-credit minimum | ||
| Total Credits | 44-57 | |
- 1
Courses that do not count in this requirement: STAT 609 Mathematical Statistics I, STAT 610 Introduction to Statistical Inference, STAT 699 Directed Study, STAT/MATH 709 Mathematical Statistics, STAT/MATH 710 Mathematical Statistics, STAT 849 Theory and Application of Regression and Analysis of Variance I, STAT 850 Theory and Application of Regression and Analysis of Variance II, STAT 990 Research,
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 Work from Other Institutions
With program approval, students are allowed to count no more than 9 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions toward the graduate degree credit and graduate coursework (50%) requirements. Coursework earned five or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
UW–Madison Undergraduate
With program approval, up to 6 statistics credits from a UW–Madison undergraduate degree at the 600 level or above are allowed to count toward minimum graduate degree credits. Coursework earned five or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
UW–Madison University Special
With program approval, up to 15 statistics credits completed at UW–Madison while a University Special student at the 300 level or above are allowed to count toward minimum graduate degree and graduate residence credit requirements. Of these credits, those at the 700 level or above may also count toward the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement. Coursework earned five 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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. program must pass the Ph.D. qualifying examination within four semesters after entering the Ph.D. 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
- Dean of Students Office (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- 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 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.
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Faculty:
Cecile Ane, Professor
Joshua Cape, Assistant Professor
Richard Chappell, Professor
Peter Chien, Professor
Jessi Cisewski-Kehe, Assistant Professor
Deshpande, Sameer, Assistant Professor
Nicolas Garcia Trillos, Assistant Professor
Yinqiu He, Assistant Professor
Hyunseung Kang, Associate Professor
Sunduz Keles, Professor
Bret Larget, Professor
Keith Levin, Assistant Professor
Wei-Yin Loh, Professor
Michael Newton, Professor
Vivak Patel, Assistant Professor
Alejandra Quintos, Assistant Professor
Garvesh Raskutti, Associate Professor
Karl Rohe, Professor
Kris Sankaran, Assistant Professor
Jun Shao, Professor
Miaoyan Wang, Assistant Professor
Yahzen Wang (chair), Professor
Brian Yandell, Professor
Chunming Zhang, Professor
Yiqiao Zhong, Assistant Professor
Jun Zhu, Professor