Statistics (M.S.)

The statistics M.S. consists of graduate-level training in classical and modern methods of statistical analysis and provides a solid background in the foundations and application of these tools. With the number of jobs in data science and related technology fields growing exponentially, you’ll be well equipped for a range of positions drawing on your statistical modeling and computing skills.

Admission Requirement

Applicants for the M.S. in statistics will typically have an undergraduate degree in the mathematical, physical, biological, or social sciences or in engineering; must have completed mathematical coursework at least through multivariate calculus; and must have knowledge of basic statistics and basic linear algebra at the undergraduate level.

Applying

Please visit the Graduate School website for detailed instructions about applying to the master's program.

Degree Requirements

This program requires 30 credit hours, consisting of at least ten semester courses approved by the department, which includes completion of a project (MATH 898) consisting of a substantial application of statistical methodology to a real problem. Most of the courses will be taken from the department's statistics courses in the range MATH 836-MATH 979 and must include all of the following unless some of these or equivalent courses were taken prior to enrollment in the program:

At most, three of the required ten courses may also be taken from the department's approved non-statistics courses and/or approved courses offered in other departments. 

For the Master's Project (MATH 898) , the student is required to seek out a faculty member who can serve as project adviser for research and application in an area of mutual interest. Typically this should be done prior to the start of the semester of enrollment in MATH 898. The project concludes with a written report and a public oral presentation. A master's committee of at least two statistics faculty members oversees the student's progress.

MATH 898 may be taken for 3 to 6 credits, depending on the level and amount of research and methodological development required for project completion; the appropriate number of credits is determined by the statistics faculty. 

There is no comprehensive examination in this option.

• Communicate the theoretical foundations of modern statistical methods to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate competency in a broad array of statistical methodologies.
• Select, apply, and assess the validity of statistical models and procedures in a variety of situations.
• Demonstrate skill in using computational tools including appropriate use of software to solve practical statistics problems.

Apply now

Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

• Fall: Feb. 15 (for funding); April 1 (recommended US; final international); July 1 (final)
• Spring: Dec. 1, Nov. 1 for international students
• Summer: N/A
• Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

• Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
• Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Additional Department Requirements

Current UNH undergraduate students applying to the Statistics program are encouraged to apply to the Accelerated Masters program. No test scores are required.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.