Graduate Field
Statistics
Program Description
The Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) degree in Applied Statistics is for persons interested in professional careers in business, industry or government. The M.P.S. program has three main components:
- A two-semester core course covering a wide range of statistical applications, computing, and consulting
- An in-depth statistical analysis project
- Elective coursework drawn from the resources of the Department of Statistical Science.
The program can be completed in one year by a well-prepared student with the equivalent of an undergraduate degree in statistics or applied mathematics. Students with less preparation can make up any missing prerequisites while at Cornell; in this case the program will take one to two years to complete.
The M.P.S. is intended for persons who want a short-term (one year) master's degree so as to go into business, industry, or government statistical work. The M.P.S. is not equivalent to an M.S. on several counts: the M.P.S. has a project (a large-scale data-analysis project) rather than a thesis or a qualifying exam (which would be the case for an M.S.). The mathematical probability/statistics component of the M.P.S. is less than it would be for an M.S. (which would be considered the first part of a Ph.D.).
Program Information
- Instruction Mode: In Person
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Minimum Credits for Degree: 30
Program Requirements
- C- or better or S for S/U courses for all courses used to meet requirements
- A GPA of 2.5 or higher in courses used toward the MPS degree is required for graduation
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 2
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Exempt
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): Exempt
Course Requirements
Additional course requirements may be set by the student’s Special Committee. Program specific requirements that apply to all students are included below.
Core Courses
Option I Additional Requirement
- At least 12 credit hours of Statistical Science elective courses
Option II Additional Requirements
- STSCI 5045 Python Programming and its Applications in Statistics
- STSCI 5060 Database Management and SAS High Performance Computing with DBMS
- STSCI 5065 Big Data Management and Analysis
- 4 credits of Statistical Science Elective courses
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the MPS degree, students will have
- Demonstrated mastery of basic statistical theory and methods.
- Developed proficiency in the use of statistical software.
- Achieved breadth and diversity of knowledge through elective courses.
- Demonstrated the ability to creatively use statistical methods to solve real-world problems.
- Demonstrated the ability to work in teams.
- Demonstrated a proficiency in oral and written communication skills appropriate for a career in industry.
