The Curriculum of the MSAS program distinguishes itself from traditional statistics degree programs in the following ways:

Paired Block of Courses
Each semester a course is offered in a “Methods” block and an “Applied” block. The content of the two blocks of study will be coordinated to enable the student to gain an understanding of underlying statistical methods at the same time they are applying related applied statistical tools.

Building Analysis Capability Each Semester
The paired block design provides the student increasing capability to analyze problems with each successive semester. The student does not wait until after several semesters to gain a capacity to perform useful analyses. Even after completing one semester, the student is able to perform practical quality and process improvement studies. Should the coursework be interrupted at any time, the student will still be left with practical, useful skills.

Statistical Computing
Starting the first semester the student will utilize statistical programs such as SAS, JMP and Minitab to analyze data and present graphical summaries. Students will be taught how to build data bases using programs such as Access and SAS. The use of statistical computing tools will continue for all courses. The skills learned in this area will enable the student to be effective in the workplace early in the program.

Applications Project
Students will be required to participate in a one-hour credit project activity for each semester. This project will involve the analysis of data from their workplace where possible. Students will analyze results with direct supervision and present results at a seminar with faculty and peers attending. Both technical and presentation skills will be a focus of the training and evaluation. The final semester will be a two-hour project course that will require the student to make both an oral and written presentation.

Non-traditional Schedule
For each of 5 semesters, a 3-hour Methods course, 3 hour Applied course, and a one-hour project will be offered (two hours in the final semester).

Boot Camp Option
The summer prior to the start of the program students will have an option of taking a refresher course in calculus that will focus on the methodology needed to be successful in courses in the Methods block.

Electives
Three courses in the Applied block can be substituted for graduate courses in Information Systems (Information Systems Project Management Methods – IS 8050) or Economics (Econometrics and Forecasting Methods – ECON 8700 or Multivariate Data Analysis – ECON 8720).

Ph.D. Program Transfer Ability
The Methods courses mirror many traditional master degree programs. Upon completion of the MAS program the student may elect to transfer to a research university offering a Ph.D. degree. Depending on the university, the MSAS program may lead directly into a Statistics Ph.D. program. Depending on the student’s area of interest, the 2 elective courses can be selected to prepare for a Ph.D. program.

Six Sigma Training
The final course is Six Sigma and Problem Solving Methods. All courses in the Applied block will reference material to Six Sigma methodology. The final course will pull together all techniques and the application of Six Sigma to process improvement methodology. The Black Belt practice exam will be reviewed to help prepare student to take the exam should they choose. Combined with the project requirement, students should be able to meet Black Belt requirements, assuming proper workplace support.