West Chester Statistics Institute

Job and Internship Opportunities

What is Applied Statistics? What kind of work does an applied statistician do?

Applied statisticians apply their knowledge of statistical methods to a variety of subject areas, such as biology, economics, engineering, medicine, public health, psychology, marketing, and education. Many applications cannot occur without use of statistical techniques. Here are a few examples:

• Designing experiments to gain federal approval of a newly manufactured drug.
• Survey design and implementation.
• Public policy and social program analysis.
• Laboratory-based research in natural sciences.
• Decision-making and quality control in business and industry.

Applied statisticians possess the skills to design large studies, work with data using statistical software, analyze complicated data sets, and effectively communicate statistical concepts to scientists in other disciplines.

Visit the U.S. Department of Labor Website for additional information on the types of work that statisticians do.

What are the job prospects for applied statisticians?

Visit the U.S. Department of Labor Website to see information on job prospects for statisticians.

Why you should consider studying Applied Statistics at West Chester University?

West Chester University is located in the midst of many of the world's leading pharmaceutical, industrial, and financial companies. You will be trained in our Program to have the skills necessary for employment at these companies. In fact, pharmaceutical companies in the immediate vicinity of West Chester University alone employ over 40,000 workers.

Advantages of the Program in Applied Statistics at WCU:
• Small class sizes
• Certificate or Master of Science options
• Convenient location. West Chester University is located 40 minutes south west from downtown Philadelphia and 20 minutes north of Wilmington, Delaware.
• Reasonable tuition fees
• Convenient classes. Our Program is designed to be accessible to part-time and full-time students, with evening classes offered every semester.
• Qualified instructors. All of our professors teaching in our graduate courses are full time tenured or tenured-track faculty. They have experience in many areas of Applied Statistics research, including consulting in medical schools, pharmaceutical companies, government organizations, and many branches of academia. They have also published theoretical statistical research papers in preeminent journals.
• Financial assistantships. Assistantships are available for full time and part-time students. Please contact the Program Director to discuss availability.
• Flexible elective offerings allow you to pursue varied topics of special interest.
• Thesis and non-thesis options
• State-of-the-art equipment and facilities
• Safe campus
• Job prospects after graduation
• Opportunity for internship experience
• Relevant classes on current topics of particular interest.
• Our program enables you to prepare for a PhD.

Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in Mathematics or Statistics to apply?

No, we have designed our curriculum to be accessible to a wide variety of undergraduate majors and interests. If you do not have any background in mathematics, you can enroll in the Certificate Program. If you wish to enroll in the MS program, you can meet the prerequisite requirements with one or two classes in Calculus. You may also audit Calculus classes as you begin your Applied Statistics coursework.

Are GREs required for Admission?

GREs are not required. However, borderline candidates for admission or candidates with degrees from foreign institutions may be required to present GRE scores at the discretion of the Program Director.

What are the prerequisites for admission into the MS Program?

In addition to meeting the basic admission requirements of the University, applicants should have knowledge of calculus, i.e., a foundation in differentiation and integration. Defiencies, as determined by the Program Director, may be removed by successfully completing appropriate course(s) or independently learning materials required for some courses. While some courses in the MS Program will also use multivariate differentiation and integration and linear algebra techniques, these techniques will be reviewed/summarized within the classes. Therefore, previous knowledge in Multivariate Calculus and Linear Algebra is useful, but NOT required.

What skills will I learn in the Masters program?

The MS program will provide you with:
• A deep understanding of the mathematical theory behind statistical procedures.
• The ability to pursue a PhD in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or other research-related disciplines.
• Training for work as a full-time statistician.
• The ability to use powerful statistical software to conduct statistical analyses.
• Knowledge to apply statistical procedures to diverse projects and problems.
• Background in particular subject area of concentration.

What skills will I learn in the Certificate Program?

• The ability to use powerful statistical software to conduct statistical analyses.
• Knowledge to apply statistical procedures to diverse projects and problems.
• Background in particular subject area of concentration.
• Training to plan and conduct statistical analysis of research studies.
• Training to work at a job where statistical skills will be required.

Which Program is right for me: the Masters or the Certificate?

The Certificate Program requires only 19 credit hours. The Certificate Program offers a broader overview and introduction to application of statistical concepts to various research settings. This program emphasizes hands-on course work, rather than the mathematical/statistical background required for independent research.
On the other hand, the extra hours of coursework required for the Masters Program will provide a deeper understanding of statistical theory and applications. This will open many more doors as you start a career in statistics. It will also prepare you to pursue further graduate study in a doctoral program.
Whichever Program you select, remember that the required courses for the Certificate Program are a complete subset as those required for the MS. Therefore, if you start in the Certificate Program and later decide to try for a Masters degree, you will get credit for all courses that you have taken for the Certificate Program.

Can I work full-time while pursuing my degree in Applied Statistics?

Yes, our program is designed to be accessible to part-time and full-time students, with evening classes offered every semester.

What courses must I complete (and how many credits) to fulfill the requirements for the thesis and non-thesis option of the MS degree or to fulfill the requirements for the Certificate?

Non-thesis option:
One course in each:
STA 505 (3) Mathematical Statistics I
STA 506 (3) Mathematical Statistics II
STA 507 (3) Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis
STA 511 (3) Introduction to Statistical Computing and Data Management
STA 512 (4) Principles of Experimental Analysis
STA 513 (4) Intermediate Linear Models
STA 514 (3) Modern Experimental Design
STA 531 (3) Advanced Topics in Applied Statistics
STA 601 (3-6) Internship in Applied Statistics
Three 3-credit electives from a selected area of concentration.

Thesis option:
One course in each:
STA 505 (3) Mathematical Statistics I
STA 506 (3) Mathematical Statistics II
STA 507 (3) Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis
STA 511 (3) Introduction to Statistical Computing and Data Management
STA 512 (4) Principles of Experimental Analysis
STA 513 (4) Intermediate Linear Models
STA 514 (3) Modern Experimental Design
STA 601 (3-6) Internship in Applied Statistics
STA 609 (3-6) Thesis I
STA 610 (3-6) Thesis II
Two 3-credit electives from a selected area of concentration.

Certificate option:
One course in each:
STA 507 (3) Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis
STA 511 (3) Introduction to Statistical Computing and Data Management
STA 512 (4) Principles of Experimental Analysis
STA 514 (3) Modern Experimental Design

Can I switch from the Certificate to MS Program ?

Yes, if at some point you decide to switch programs, it is possible to do so.

How do I contact the Graduate office?
Go to the graduate office web page: http://www.wcupa.edu/_ADMISSIONS/SCH_DGR/ or contact  gradstudy@wcupa.edu.

Can I take graduate courses without formally applying to the program?

Yes. You may take up to 6 graduate credits (2 courses) without enrolling in the program. If you then decide to enroll in the program you can count these classes towards graduation.

Can I transfer in any graduate credits from another institution?

Yes. You may transfer in up to 6 graduate credits, which will count toward your Masters degree at West Chester University.

Who do I contact if I have other questions?

For questions regarding the Applied Statistics program specifically contact the Program Director. For general admission questions contact the Graduate Office.

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