Statistics is the science of collection, organization, analysis, and explanation of data. The field offers many opportunities for people who enjoy interpreting the world in quantitative ways using numbers, surveys, and computers. In this field, methods are developed and used to explain quantitative patterns observed in the social, physical, and natural sciences and in business and industry.
The methods of probability and statistics have become essential tools in almost every walk of life in industry, business, medicine, computer science, economics, environmental studies, psychology, wildlife biology and fisheries, sociology, meteorology – the list seems never ending. These are exciting times for our discipline since probability and statistics are playing an increasingly crucial role in the advancement of science and technology.
Degree Requirements and Program Information
Applying to Our Program
Funding Information
MS/PhD Program Funding
Nearly all of the students in our MS/PhD program are funded either as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) or Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs). Appointments are for the nine-month academic year and provide for a monthly stipend, as well as the payment of tuition. The assistantship is renewable each semester for up to 5 years, pending the availability of funds, satisfactory progress toward your degree, and your compliance with program and university guidelines including the Student Conduct Code. Students must also meet all requirements of the graduate school to be eligible for funding, including maintaining a cumulative GPA above 3.0.
In addition, summer support options, such as teaching and consulting, may be available through the department. Students also may do summer internships, but these are arranged by the student and not the department.
GTA
Students begin our program as GTAs. During their first year, students lead recitations and work in the Statistics Success Center (SSC), our department’s undergraduate tutoring center. GTA teaching assignments broaden over one’s tenure in the program. Graduate students of proven teaching ability are often permitted to teach their own section of an undergraduate course.
GRA
Students may also be funded by research assistantships. Typically, GRA funding comes via external funding (i.e., a grant) obtained by an individual faculty member. The faculty member then coordinates with a student about funding them as a GRA. GRA funding may be narrowly focused on a specific project or task, or may be more broad, and may or may not be related to the GRA’s research.
Applying for Continued Funding
PhD students can apply for a sixth year of funding, and MS students can apply for a third year of funding. Information on applying for continued funding can be found here.
Academic Progress and Deadlines
Additional Information
Fort Collins and Northern Colorado
Fort Collins, a city of about 170,000 residents, is located on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver and about 40 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park. The mountains offer excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation. The climate is one of the attractive features of the area, with an abundance of sunny days and cool summer nights. Fort Collins, the University, and Denver offer a wide variety of cultural and other activities.
The University and the Department
The University was founded in 1870 as the Agricultural College of Colorado. It became Colorado State University in 1957 and has grown rapidly in recent years and now serves about 34,000 students. The statistics program at Colorado State University was established in 1960, and a separate Department of Statistics was created in 1971. The Department’s moderate size promotes effective interaction not only within the Department, but also with researchers in other disciplines.
MS/PhD Program Policies
Resources for Current Students
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Department of Statistics
Colorado State University
Fort Collins CO 80523-1877
Telephone: (970) 491-5269
FAX: (970) 491-7895
E-mail: stats@stat.colostate.edu
