The Statistics department faculty is known for both cutting edge methodological and collaborative research and for outstanding teaching. Faculty members are currently investigating statistical problems in the fields of ecology, genetics, economics, meteorology, wildlife management, epidemiology, AIDS research, geophysics and climatology. The program’s faculty members have ongoing collaborative programs across disciplines such as biostatistics, bioinformatics, economics, atmospheric science, psychology and with the Missouri Department of Conservation.
The graduate program provides opportunities for graduate study and thesis direction in various areas of probability and statistics, both theoretical and applied. A variety of consulting and collaborative opportunities allow both faculty and graduate students to conduct cooperative and interdisciplinary research. Regular statistics colloquia provide opportunities for faculty and outside speakers to present the results of their research. Faculty and graduate students also participate in weekly seminar series in Bayesian statistics, bioinformatics and biostatistics.
Degrees Offered
Doctoral
On Campus
*This program is eligible for the STEM OPT Extension.
Admission Criteria
Application Deadline
| Entrance Term | Apply by |
| Fall | January 15 |
| Spring | October 15 |
Minimum Requirements
- Minimum GPA: 3.5 in math and statistics to enter PhD program
- Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or University in related area
- Undergraduate courses in statistics are recommended but not required. Consideration also is given to rank in graduating class, trends in grade records, maturity and experience, and other criteria bearing on qualifications.
- Before entering the graduate program, a student should have a background that includes three semesters of calculus (or equivalent), one semester of matrix theory, and at least one post-calculus course in probability and statistics. Some required courses at the 7000 level not taken as an undergraduate may be taken for graduate credit as part of the graduate program.
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Application Process
- New applicants: Complete the Graduate School online application and upload the required application materials to the online application.
- Current MU graduate students: Contact us before submitting your application.
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Statistics Program
- 3 letters of recommendation (use departmental form or submit through the Graduate School online application)
- Resume
- Personal statement
- TOEFL or IELTS for international applicants
- Video statement (optional): Upload a short video statement (no more than 2 minutes) introducing yourself and why you want to pursue a graduate degree in statistics at the University of Missouri
Master's
On Campus
*This program is eligible for the STEM OPT Extension.
The program offer a Master of Arts in Statistics, with emphasis areas in Biostatistics and Data Analytics.
Admission Criteria
Current MU undergraduate students are eligible to apply to this program. To be considered for admission to the accelerated MA program in Statistics, a student must:
- Have completed at least 90 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA of at least 3.0
- Have at least one (preferably two) semester of undergraduate enrollment remaining before completion of a bachelor’s degree.
- Have completed the following courses each with grades of “B” or higher (a “B minus” is not sufficient):
- The calculus sequence (Math 1500, 1700, and 2300 or equivalent).
- A course in matrix theory (Math 4140 or equivalent).
- A calculus-based course covering statistical inference (Stat 4710 or 4760 or equivalent).
- A course in statistical modeling (Stat 3500 or 4510 or equivalent).
- Have a GPA of at least 3.5 in all math and statistics courses completed and have earned at least a “B” (not “B minus”) in each statistics course completed. (NOTE: It is expected that the vast majority of an applicant’s math and statistics course work will have been completed in residence at MU. Students who have transferred a substantial amount of math and statistics credit from other universities may still apply to the program. These students will be evaluated individually based on both the grades earned in the transferred course and the stature of the university from which the courses were transferred.)
- Have produced an academic record that suggests the student will likely complete an MA degree in statistics.
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application.
For the Statistics Program
- One letter of recommendation from a faculty member in Statistics
- Resume
- Statement of purpose
On Campus
*This program is eligible for the STEM OPT Extension.
The program offer a Master of Arts in Statistics, with emphasis areas in Biostatistics and Data Analytics.
Admission Criteria
Application Deadline
| Entrance Term | Apply by |
| Fall for regular MA track | January 15 |
| Fall for applied MA track | March 30 |
| Spring | October 15 |
Minimum Requirements
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 in math and statistics courses to enter master’s program
- Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or University in related area
- Undergraduate courses in statistics are recommended but not required. Consideration also is given to rank in graduating class, trends in grade records, maturity and experience, and other criteria bearing on qualifications.
- Before entering the graduate program, a student should have a background that includes three semesters of calculus (or equivalent), one semester of matrix theory, and at least one post-calculus course in probability and statistics. Some required courses at the 7000 level not taken as an undergraduate may be taken for graduate credit as part of the graduate program.
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Application Process
- New applicants: Complete the Graduate School online application and upload the required application materials to the online application.
- Current MU graduate students: Contact us before submitting your application.
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Statistics Program
- 3 letters of recommendation (use departmental form or submit through the Graduate School online application)
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- TOEFL or IELTS for international applicants
- Video statement (optional): Upload a short video statement (no more than 2 minutes) introducing yourself and why you want to pursue a graduate degree in statistics at the University of Missouri
Graduate Certificate
100% Online
Officially approved as:
Stand Alone: Yes
Total Credit Hours: 12
Certificate description:
The Certificate Program in Sports Analytics at Mizzou offers a unique opportunity for students to learn statistical methods and computational tools to perform analyses for sports. The program will help to prepare students for career opportunities in the exciting and growing industry of sports analytics.
Certificate web site:
https://stat.missouri.edu/undergrad/sports-statistics
Admission Criteria
Application Deadlines
| Entrance Term | Apply by |
| Summer | Rolling |
| Fall | August 1 |
| Spring | December 15 |
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Graduate Certificate Program
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Resume/CV
Minor
On Campus
To receive a designated minor in statistics for a PhD degree, at least 15 credit hours of course work at the 7000 level or higher must be completed from the Department of Statistics at MU. The courses must include at least two at the 8000 level or higher and may not include Statistics 7002, 7020, 7050, 7070, 7085, 7530, 8085, 8090, or 9085. Students must have at least one course in calculus-based statistics and the equivalent of at least two courses in an applied statistics sequence. The calculus-based statistics requirement can be met by Stat 7710 or Stat 7760, but no more than 6 hours of Stat 7710, 7750, and 7760 can be counted towards the 15 hours. The applied sequence requirement can be satisfied by either Stat 7510/Stat 8220 or Stat 8310/8320. At most one course from Stat 7510 and Stat 8310 can be counted and at most one course from Stat 8220 and 8320 can be counted towards the 15 hours. The plan of study must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies of the Statistics Department and be completed with an average grade of B (3.0) or higher. Each student is encouraged to seek approval of his/her plan of study as soon as possible.