First Year

This is similar to the first year of the master's program unless the student enters with a master's degree in statistics. In this case, the student may wish to consider beginning with the second-year courses. This would be done in consultation with an advisor.

Second Year

Fall Semester

If the student has successfully passed the qualifying exam and covered the material in STAT 511 through 515, then he or she should take the courses required for the Ph.D. These courses are STAT 551, STAT 553, and STAT 580 (2 credits). In addition, students may take another course from the electives in statistics, mathematics, or an area of interest unless delayed until spring semester.

Spring Semester

Continuing with the required courses, the student now takes STAT 581 (1 credit), and two or three elective courses. The Ph.D. candidacy examination must be passed during the second year in order to continue in the program.

Remaining Years

In the third year, the student continues to take required courses STAT 517, STAT 561, STAT 590 Colloquium, and usually two elective courses each semester from the available list, and begins to formulate a thesis topic. During the third year, the student should form a graduate committee and must schedule the Graduate School oral comprehensive examination by the end of their third academic year. The committee will typically prepare a written examination to be taken prior to the scheduled oral exam. No courses are usually taken for credit during the final year, when the thesis is completed and defended prior to graduation.