West Lafayette, Indiana – Predictive analytics has become a key organizational resource. From businesses to government agencies, organizations have vast amounts of data that must be collected, classified, and analyzed to make it useful.

Data is so critical to decision-making in modern organizations that demand for skilled professional statisticians is skyrocketing. Statistics jobs are expected to grow 35% by 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a much faster pace than averages in other fields.

To meet the growing demand for statistical analysts, the Department of Statistics at Purdue University offers a new online Master of Science degree in Applied Statistics. A 33 credit hour program can be completed in 24 to 30 months. All courses are delivered entirely online, allowing students to enroll from anywhere in the world and complete courses at a flexible pace.

Timothy Keaton, Professor of Practice in the Department of Statistics at Purdue University, said: “If you don’t want to put your career on hold to learn the data analysis skills you need in today’s market, our program gives you that flexibility. Classes are asynchronous but offer a structure that follows a regular semester calendar. I have.”

The new program teaches students marketable skills in probability, statistical theory, statistical methods, design of experiments, and data management. All courses are taught by faculty from Purdue University’s Department of Statistics, one of the largest and most computationally modernized statistical departments in the United States. Students in the online program take the same courses and receive the same degree as students who complete the on-campus Applied Statistics graduate program.

“Our classes cover key areas of applied statistics, including model building, computational methods, quality control, time series, and consulting,” said Keaton. “Throughout these classes, students will learn and use multiple statistical programming languages.”

The program’s curriculum is focused on providing students with the tools and context they need to apply advanced statistical skills to their jobs. Program graduates are prepared to work in a wide range of industries as statisticians, data scientists, business analysts, market research analysts, and other roles requiring statistical expertise.

“One of the main strengths of this program, and the division as a whole, is our longstanding statistical consulting services,” says Keaton. “This service offers students the opportunity to work with experienced faculty on real-world problems to design, analyze, and, importantly, communicate the results of their research across a variety of disciplines.”

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and at least one semester of calculus in their undergraduate transcripts. Applicants are advised to also complete an undergraduate course in Statistics before enrolling in the program.

“We are excited to bring this program to more students than just West Lafayette,” said Keaton. “The opportunity to work with freshmen from a variety of backgrounds and work experiences not only strengthens our department, but also prepares these students for the bigger jobs ahead.”

For more information about the Online Master of Science in Applied Statistics, including how to apply and application deadlines, please visit the program’s webpage.

Writer: Rachel Barton, 240-818-1189, barton53@purdue.edu

sauce: Timothy Keaton, keatont@purdue.edu