Resources

All students

Graduate catalog information page
EXST course list
Student handbook
Statistical software information (SAS, JMP)

Current students

Program of study form (Word document)
Sample completed program of study form (PDF)
Assistantship application form (Word document)

Permission of Instructor forms:

EXST 7084 Practicum in Consulting II (PDF)
EXST 7085 Special Problem in Statistics (PDF)
EXST 7086 Advanced Seminar in Statistics (PDF)
EXST 7999 Independent Study (PDF)
EXST 8000 Thesis Research (PDF)

Written exam application
Help Desk

Prospective students

M.Ap.Stat. Application form (Word document)
combination M.Ap.Stat. and assistantship application form (Word document)
link to LSU Graduate School, online application

Program Overview

The Department of Experimental Statistics is the principal source of statistical education, research, and service at LSU. This department is unique in its strong orientation toward the application of statistics. Faculty provide expert statistical support for the University community. Faculty also routinely serve on graduate committees in other departments and collaborate on interdisciplinary research projects, in addition to directing graduate students in statistics and conducting independent research programs. The department has approximately 30 master's students, who interact closely with the faculty.

Administration

James P. Geaghan, Department Head
Brian D. Marx, Graduate Adviser
Telephone 225/578-8303
FAX 225/578-8344
E-mail bmarx@stat.lsu.edu
Website www.stat.lsu.edu

Degree Programs

The Department of Experimental Statistics offers the Master of Applied Statistics (M.Ap.Stat.) degree. Students can opt for a non-thesis (38 credits) or a thesis (37 credits) degree. Students who choose the non-thesis degree are required to complete a special problem that typically involves a novel or extensive use of statistical methods in real applications, usually in the field of the student's minor. Students who choose the thesis degree will write a thesis involving the extension of current statistical methodology or novel/extensive use of statistical methods in a real application. Students gain valuable experience while working closely with faculty and clients during the consulting practicum courses. Each student must present a departmental seminar and must pass the oral and written comprehensive final examination.

Some students in the department pursue dual master's degrees or work toward the M.Ap.Stat. degree while pursuing a Ph.D. in another department. Students completing the M.Ap.Stat. degree are prepared to serve as applied statisticians or to pursue a Ph.D. in Statistics or related field. Employment opportunities exist for applied statisticians in business, industry, government, and in educational and research organizations.

Students may also pursue a minor in Applied Statistics.

Degree requirements are listed below.

Admission

Students must satisfy all admission requirements of the Graduate School. Application materials, obtained from the department, must be completed and returned to the Graduate School. Transcripts and three letters of recommendation must also be sent to the Graduate School. Letters should be written by individuals who have knowledge of the student's academic and professional qualifications.

Admission is based on aptitude, interest, and background, as documented in application materials. Evidence of a strong aptitude comes from GRE scores and grades in previous college courses. Breadth of background, particularly in the applied sciences, is advantageous. Previous training in probability and statistics is desirable but not required.

To complete the program successfully, students need a working knowledge of multidimensional calculus and linear (matrix) algebra. Qualified students who have not had adequate training in mathematics can be admitted and allowed to schedule appropriate courses to satisfy this requirement without credit toward the degree.

Financial Assistance

Graduate assistantships, awarded competitively with the approval of the department head, pay from $9,500 for nine months to $14,500 per year for a full-time assistantship of 20 hours per week. Academic qualifications and ability to carry out assistantship duties are the major considerations in awarding assistantships.

Some assistantships, particularly those funded by contracts, may require special skills or qualifications. The department normally will provide assistantship support for a maximum of two calendar years.

Degree Requirements

The Department of Experimental Statistics offers the Master of Applied Statistics (M.Ap.Stat.) degree. Students can opt for a non-thesis (38 credits) or a thesis (37 credits) degree. Students who choose the non-thesis degree are required to complete a special problem that typically involves a novel or extensive use of statistical methods in real applications, usually in the field of the student’s minor. Students who choose the thesis degree will write a thesis involving the extension of current statistical methodology or novel/extensive use of statistical methods in a real application. Students gain valuable experience while working closely with faculty and clients during the consulting practicum courses. Each student must present a departmental seminar and must pass the oral and written comprehensive final examination.

Some students in the department pursue dual master’s degrees or work toward the M.Ap.Stat. degree while pursuing a Ph.D. in another department. Students completing the M.Ap.Stat. degree are prepared to serve as applied statisticians or to pursue a Ph.D. in Statistics or related field. Employment opportunities exist for applied statisticians in business, industry, government, and in educational and research organizations.

Master of Applied Statistics

Required courses for both non-thesis and thesis options:

Additional courses for the non-thesis option (19 credits):

Advanced statistical courses (9 credits)

Three advanced EXST courses approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee

Minor area of concentration (9 credits)

Three graduate courses approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee

EXST 7085 - Special problem (1-3 credits)

Additional courses for the thesis option (18 credits):

Advanced statistical courses (12 credits)

Four advanced courses, with at least 9 hours in EXST, approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee

EXST 8000 Thesis research (6 credits)

Minors in Applied Statistics