M.A. Degree in Statistics
(The nature of the M. A. program has been reviewed. A new structure will be in place for Fall 2012. The last time that the current written exam may be given, under exceptional circumstances, is Spring 2013.)
How to Apply to Advance to Candidacy
Current Statistics M.A. Students Seeking to Enter the Ph.D. Program
What Are Some Recent Grads Doing Now?
In order to obtain the Masters in Statistics, a student must have at least 24 units of selected Upper Division and Graduate courses and pass a comprehensive examination, or have at least 20 units and prepare a thesis. In both cases, the course work shall include at least 18 units in Upper Division and Graduate courses in the Statistics Department, of which at least 12 units are in Statistics courses numbered 204 or higher. (Note: Stat 298, 299, 300, 601 and 602 cannot be used to fulfill unit requirements and 278B units cannot be used to fulfill the 12 units in 204 or higher requirement). All courses used to fulfill the 18 unit requirement must be taught by Statistics faculty. All coursework used for the M.A. must be letter graded unless the course is only offered on a SU basis. The total of S/U or P/NP units may only be 2.
A typical program with emphasis on applied statistics will include Statistics 200AB, 230, 243 and some of 215, 232, 240, 241, 242, 244, 248 and 272. A typical program with emphasis on probability theory might, for example, include Statistics 200AB, 205AB and several of 150, 153, 155, 248 and 250. A typical program with emphasis on theoretical statistics will include 200AB & 210AB. Students with special interests are encouraged to devise programs with different emphases. In all cases, the program must be approved (via the Statistics M.A. worksheet) by the Statistics M. A. Advisor, Professor David Brillinger, 417 Evans, (510) 642-0611 brill@stat.berkeley.edu. Check with the M.A. Advisor re: your proposed program well in advance, at least during the Fall semester. Students from other departments are expected to be doctoral students.
[rev.05/10]
How to Apply to Advance to Candidacy
Students advance to candidacy in the semester in which they sit for the written exam or turn in their thesis. In order to apply to take the exam or file a thesis, all unit requirements for the MA need to be completed by the end of the semester in which you advance to candidacy (no exceptions). Since the exam is usually given in late April, students typically advance in the beginning of the Spring semester. You will need to complete the petition to change degree goal to add the MA degree (if applicable) as well as complete the Statistics Dept M.A. worksheet. If you are completing an MA thesis you will also need to complete the application to advance to candidacy for the MA Plan 1.
Approval from the MA advisor is required before you can add the MA and/or advance to candidacy. Please bring your completed paperwork with you when you meet with the MA Advisor. Once your paperwork has been approved, turn it in to the Graduate Student Affairs Officer, 373 Evans. The department deadline to turn in paperwork is the end of the 3rd week of the semester that you plan to take the exam or file your thesis as it could take some time to obtain the required signatures.
Written Examination (24 Units)
The Written Examination is usually held on the last Saturday in April. Check with the Graduate Student Affairs Officer (373 Evans, lashana@berkeley.edu) for the exact time & place.
The Written Examination consists of two parts, each lasting two hours. All students who will sit for the exam will receive copies of previous examinations after they turn in their completed paperwork to the Graduate Student Affairs Officer in 373 Evans.
PART 1 is on probability and PART 2 is on statistical inference. The required material is covered in Statistics 200A and 200B. The relative emphasis among the topics of these courses will vary from year to year at the discretion of the person(s) making up the exam.
Thesis Option (20 Units)
To elect the Thesis Option, you must find 3 faculty (with one from outside Statistics) to be on your thesis committee. You and the chair of the thesis committee must agree upon the topic of the thesis. Please provide a short description of your thesis topic and the names and signatures of your committee on page 2 of the Worksheet for the M.A.
Oral Option (24 Units)
The Oral Examination is available only under exceptional circumstances when undue hardship would otherwise result. You need to request the approval of the M.A. Advisor. When the approval is granted, the M.A. Advisor will appoint a committee of three. You assemble a list of questions from which the committee will choose at the time of the examination. The list of questions must be approved by all three members of the committee. The questions should be on the material of the statistics courses you are offering for the M.A., and they should be organized under broad headings. After your list has been approved, you will need to find an examination time acceptable to all committee members.
Timetable for Paperwork
You should apply for advancement to candidacy by the first 3 weeks of the semester that you plan to take the exam or file your thesis. You also need to be a registered student at the time of the examination or, if you have completed the unit and course requirements and need only to take the examination or to file your thesis, you may apply for Filing Fee status and pay a fee equal to half the current University Registration Fee (currently ~ $225). Please note: to be eligible for Filing Fee, you must have been registered in the previous semester (e.g. applying for Spring 11 Filing Fee, you must have registered for the Fall 10 semester). If you have other questions regarding Filing Fee eligibility, please contact the Graduate Division Degrees Office (642-7330). Filing Fee application forms are available from the Graduate Division website.
Duplication of Degree:If you have a master's degree in another major and wish to obtain a master's degree in Statistics, you must
- Provide a transcript (unofficial one)
- List courses used for your previous master's degree (on page 2 of the MA worksheet)
You must also complete the other forms (see "How to apply" above) and obtain approval from the M.A. Advisor. Please submit everything to the Graduat Student Affairs Officer in 373 Evans. The Statistics M.A. Advisor will do a preliminary evaluation to assess the feasibility of submission.
Current Statistics MA Students Seeking to Enter the Ph.D. Program
(Please note: Current UCB students from outside the Statistics Department must apply for admission during the current application cycle. We do not have a separate application procedure for applicants who would like to transfer to our program. For more info, please contact the Graduate Student Affairs Officer at lashana@berkeley.edu).
Students in the M.A. program often consider entering the Ph.D. program. For a reasonable chance of success in the Ph.D. program, a student needs to have a strong mathematical background (e.g., in real analysis), and to be among the top students in M.A.-level courses such as 200AB; the student should also take one of the entry-level Ph.D. courses (205/210/215).
For a current Statistics Masters student who seeks to enter the Ph.D. program, the following strategy is recommended. The decision to try to change programs needs to be made early in the first year. If the decision is made early enough and the student's background is sufficient, entry-level Ph.D. course may be appropriate during the first year in the M.A. program.
Otherwise during the first year, take Masters-level statistics courses, such as Stat 200AB, and some math courses, such as Math 104 and 105. And then, during the second year, take two of the Ph.D.-level statistics courses (205/210/215). Students who perform well in these Ph.D. courses will have a good chance of being accepted into the Ph.D. program. Students with below-average performance in the Ph.D. courses are advised to complete the M.A. program or, if still interested in pursuing a Ph.D., apply to other universities.
Paperwork:
To apply formally for switching programs, write a brief letter to the chair of the admissions committee saying that you are applying for the Ph.D. program, and stating your personal goals; submit two letters of recommendation, preferably from recent instructors at Berkeley; and complete the form Application to change major/degree, available from the graduate assistant. The deadline for fall admission is December 14.
Applicants will be judged competitively with outside applicants. This affects foreign students in particular, because of competition for the limited number of tuition waivers available. The admissions committee will rarely admit to the Ph.D. program a student who has taken only Masters-level courses for two years.
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