Applied statisticians apply their knowledge of statistical methods to a variety of
subject areas, such as biology, economics, engineering, medicine, public health, psychology,
marketing, and education. Many applications cannot occur without use of statistical
techniques. Here are a few examples:
- Designing experiments to gain federal approval of a newly manufactured drug.
- Survey design and implementation.
- Public policy and social program analysis.
- Laboratory-based research in natural sciences.
- Decision-making and quality control in business and industry.
Applied statisticians possess the skills to design large studies, work with data using
statistical software, analyze complicated data sets, and effectively communicate statistical
concepts to scientists in other disciplines.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "statistician" is projected to have the
9th-highest growth rate from 2014-2024 among all professions and the 3rd-highest growth
rate among those requiring a college degree. US News and World Report ranked "statistician"
as the number-one best business job based on a combination of financial and work-life
issues.
Visit the U.S. Department of Labor Website for additional information on the types of work that statisticians do.
West Chester University is located in the midst of many of the world's leading pharmaceutical,
industrial, and financial companies. You will be trained in our Program to have the
skills necessary for employment at these companies. In fact, pharmaceutical companies
in the immediate vicinity of West Chester University alone employ over 40,000 workers.
Advantages of the Program in Applied Statistics at WCU:
- Small class sizes
- Certificate or Master of Science options
- New Master's degrees with concentrations in Biostatistics or Business and Marketing
Analytics.
- Convenient location. West Chester University is located 40 minutes west of downtown
Philadelphia and 20 minutes north of Wilmington, Delaware.
- Reasonable tuition fees
- Convenient classes. Our Program is designed to be accessible to part-time and full-time
students, with evening classes offered every semester. Almost all of our courses meet
one evening per week, starting at 5:45 PM.
- Qualified instructors. All of our professors teaching in our graduate courses are
full time tenured or tenure-track faculty, possessing doctoral degrees in statistics
or biostatistics. They have experience in many areas of applied statistics research,
including consulting in medical schools, pharmaceutical companies, government organizations,
and many branches of academia. They have also published theoretical statistical research
papers in preeminent journals.
- Financial assistantships. Assistantships are available for full time and part-time
students. Please contact the Program Director to discuss availability.
- Flexible elective offerings allow you to pursue varied topics of special interest.
- Thesis and non-thesis options
- State-of-the-art equipment and facilities, including two Statistics Laboratories.
- Safe campus
- Job prospects after graduation
- Opportunity for internship experience
- Relevant classes on current topics of particular interest.
- Our program enables you to prepare for a PhD.
You may
apply online. In addition to completing the online application, you must provide two letters of
recommendation and transcripts from all previous academic institutions.
No, we have designed our curriculum to be accessible to a wide variety of undergraduate
majors and interests. If you do not have any background in mathematics, you can still
enroll in the Certificate Program. If you wish to enroll in the MS program, you can
meet the prerequisite requirements with two classes in Calculus, regardless of your
undergraduate major.
GREs are not required. However, borderline candidates for admission or candidates
with degrees from foreign institutions may be required to present GRE scores at the
discretion of the Program Director
In addition to meeting the basic admission requirements of the University, applicants
should have knowledge of calculus, i.e., a foundation in differentiation and integration,
including multivariate techniques. Deficiencies, as determined by the Program Director , may be removed by successfully completing appropriate course(s) or independently
learning materials required for some courses.
Specifically, students need to be familiar with derivatives, partial derivatives,
integrals, multiple integrals, log and exponential functions, limits and series. Most
of these topics are covered in Calculus I and II. However, partial differentiation
and multiple integration are usually covered in Calculus III. Our experience has been
that most students who complete Calculus I and Calculus II can pick up the Calculus
III topics on their own without the need to take the entire Calculus III class. In
addition, a very basic knowledge of matrix operations is suggested, but not required.
Please see the review questions .
If you are still not sure which, if any, prerequisite course(s) you need to be fully
prepared to enter the Master’s Program, we will administer the calculus diagnostic
test, indicate any deficiencies, and recommend any prerequisite courses needed.
For students without a traditional background in calculus, satisfactory completion
of this test may be a provision for acceptance. You may take this test multiple times
to assess your readiness. There is no charge for this service. However, you must have
applied or been accepted into the Applied Statistics Program.
To schedule a time to take this test, please contact Dr. Crossett .
The MS program will provide you with:
A deep understanding of the mathematical theory behind statistical procedures.
- The ability to pursue a PhD in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or other research-related
disciplines.
- Training for work as a full-time statistician.
- The ability to use powerful statistical software to conduct statistical analyses.
- Knowledge to apply statistical procedures to diverse projects and problems.
- Background in particular subject area of concentration.
The Certificate program will provide you with:
- The ability to use powerful statistical software to conduct statistical analyses.
- Knowledge to apply statistical procedures to diverse projects and problems.
- Background in particular subject area of concentration.
- Training to plan and conduct statistical analysis of research studies.
- Training to work at a job where statistical skills will be required.
The Certificate Program requires only 19 credit hours. The Certificate Program offers
a broader overview and introduction to application of statistical concepts to various
research settings. This program emphasizes hands-on course work, rather than the mathematical/statistical
background required for independent research.
On the other hand, the extra hours of coursework required for the Masters Program
will provide a deeper understanding of statistical theory and applications. This will
open many more doors as you start a career in statistics. It will also prepare you
to pursue further graduate study in a doctoral program.
Whichever Program you select, remember that the required courses for the Certificate
Program are a complete subset of those required for the MS. Therefore, if you start
in the Certificate Program and later decide to try for a Masters degree, you will
get credit for all courses that you have taken for the Certificate Program.
Yes, our program is designed to be accessible to part-time and full-time students,
with evening classes offered every semester.
Yes, if at some point you decide to switch programs, it is possible to do so.
Yes. You may take up to 6 graduate credits (2 courses) without enrolling in the program.
If you then decide to enroll in the program you can count these classes towards graduation.
Yes. You may transfer in up to 6 graduate credits, which will count toward your Masters
degree at West Chester University.
Unfortunately, due to course offerings, this program must be started in the fall.
Yes, there is an exciting new opportunity for students who wish to join the Applied
Statistics Program, but who need to improve their English language skills. The INTERLINK
Language Center, located at West Chester University, provides ESL (English as a Second
Language) training, cultural orientation, and academic preparation as well as help
with university placement and conditional admission.
For information regarding upcoming department events, and for orientation materials
for new Applied Statistics graduate students, go to the
Applied Statistics Events page.
We offer a limited number of graduate assistantships to selected students who have
a strong academic record and experience and skill in teaching/tutoring students. You
will have an opportunity to apply for an assistantship when you submit your application.
Only accepted students can be considered for an assistantship. Read more details about
the assistantship.
For questions about financial aid packages other than Graduate Assistantships, please
contact the Graduate Studies Office.
For questions regarding the Applied Statistics program specifically contact the Program Director at rrieger@wcupa.edu. For general admission questions contact the Graduate Office.
