Each Ph.D. degree candidate chooses one or two minor areas of concentration. In addition to the examinations required by the Graduate School, students in the Ph.D. degree program are given a qualifying examination shortly after the first year of graduate study.

The Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) degree in Applied Statistics is for persons interested in professional careers in business, industry or government. The M.P.S. program has three main components:

• A two-semester core course covering a wide range of statistical applications, computing, and consulting
• An in-depth statistical analysis project
• Elective coursework drawn from the resources of the Department of Statistical Science.

The program can be completed in one year by a well-prepared student with the equivalent of an undergraduate degree in statistics or applied mathematics. Students with less preparation can make up any missing prerequisites while at Cornell; in this case the program will take one to two years to complete.

M.P.S. or M.S./Ph.D.?
Statistics not offer admission for those interested a terminal master's degree, but we do offer admission for those interested in pursuing a master's leading to a Ph.D. We also offer the M.P.S. in Applied Statistics, which is normally a one-year program that does not carry financial aid.

The M.P.S. is intended for persons who want a short-term (one year) master's degree so as to go into business, industry, or government statistical work. The M.P.S. is not equivalent to an M.S. on several counts: the M.P.S. has a project (a large-scale data-analysis project) rather than a thesis or a qualifying exam (which would be the case for an M.S.). The mathematical probability/statistics component of the M.P.S. is less than it would be for an M.S. (which would be considered the first part of a Ph.D.).

The admissions procedures are completely independent: at Cornell, if you want to go on for a Ph.D. after the M.P.S. you must to apply as a new student to the Ph.D. program; you would be considered as part of the "pool" of Ph.D. applicants and, if admitted, you might be able to apply some of your M.P.S. coursework, but there is no guarantee. The Ph.D. in Statistics at Cornell enrolls about 2 to 4 students each year; the M.P.S., about 20 to 25.

If you are applying for the M.P.S., please make clear your clear if you are applying for Option 1 or Option 2.