1. I’m a KSU student. How
can I prepare for the MSAS program?
A: There are several options:
-
You can take Math 1190 Calculus I and Math 2202 Calculus II
if you want additional preparation. These classes are
offered in the day and evening.
-
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers a Minor
Degree in Applied Statistics and Data Analysis. The courses
required for the minor will help prepare you for MSAS and
give you experience that will be useful.
-
There are many commercial products that have self-study
material for calculus. Working through one of these courses
will help you review and gain confidence in your calculus
knowledge.
2. I’m thinking about
applying for MSAS, but I need calculus. What are my options?
A: There are several options:
-
If you have never taken a calculus course, you can take Math
1190 Calculus I and Math 2202 Calculus II. These classes are
offered in the day and evening.
-
If you have taken a calculus course in the past, but feel a
little "rusty", you can enroll in the STAT 7000 course
offered each summer before the program begins. This is
called the Boot Camp Option
for the MSAS program. This course is used to review the
mathematics essential to the program.
-
Also, there are many commercial products that have
self-study material for calculus. These can be useful to
review materials that may have been forgotten. Working
through one of these courses will help you review and gain
confidence in your calculus knowledge.
3. Why does MSAS admission
require calculus?
A: The depth of understanding of statistics depends on a
basic knowledge of calculus. The focus of the MSAS program is to
develop graduates that have in-depth knowledge of the techniques
they will be using. “Plugging into” formulas or computer a
routine is not the objective. This approach will enable students
to develop meaningful careers and be in demand in the
marketplace.
4. Can I start in the spring
rather than the fall?
A: No. This program is a cohort program. The spring
courses have fall courses as prerequisites. New cohorts begin
each fall.
5. What if I miss a
semester?
A: If you have
completed the first semester of coursework and then miss a later
semester of work, you can rejoin your cohort and make up the
missed semester with the next year’s cohort.
6. Can I substitute any
graduate courses from other departments?
A: You can
substitute up to 9 hours of credits from other graduate programs
with the permission of the MSAS program director.
7. What courses can I
substitute for courses in MSAS?
A: Courses such
as ECON 8700 (Econometrics and Forecasting Methods), ECON 8720
(Multivariate Data Analysis), ECON 8740 (Quantitative Decision
Models in Economics and Finance), ECON 8760 (Simulation and Risk
Analysis) are examples of courses that would substitute for
courses in MSAS. Other courses would be considered on a case by
case basis.
8. Does Kennesaw offer any
courses to help me prepare for MSAS?
A: MATH 1190
(Calculus I) and MATH 2202 (Calculus II) are offered every
semester. These would prepare students for the calculus part of
the program. Courses in the Minor in Applied Statistics and Data
Analysis (STAT 3010, STAT 3120, STAT 3130, STAT 4120 and STAT
4210) would help students prepare for the statistics part of the
program. These are not requirements for admission to the
program. STAT 7000 (Introduction to Mathematics for Statistics)
is offered every summer to help students review the mathematics
necessary for success in the program.
9. What can I do with my
degree?
A: The entry
degree for most positions requiring statistical training is the
Master of Science degree. A recent Bureau of Labor Statistics
report indicated that 18% of the country’s statisticians work
for the federal government, 16% for state and local governments
and the remainder for private industry. University based
statisticians are a relatively small percentage. Thus, a large
percentage of MAS degree students will likely be placed in the
private sector. From the 2005 survey of salaries reported on
http://www.amstat.org/careers, the median salary in 2005 for
an MS statistician in business, industry or government with 0 to
1.9 years of experience was $60,000. In the pharmaceutical
industry, the corresponding figure is $73,000. An August 2004
web search of American’s Job Bank for positions in the Atlanta
area with a Six Sigma keyword produced 96 jobs from a variety of
companies; most positions had salaries over $50,000 per year.
Applied statisticians are used
in industry and government where skills are needed for areas
such as: testing, sampling surveys, computing, market research,
reliability, estimation, quality control, and process
improvement. Some areas that employ statisticians include:
manufacturing, medicine, pharmacology, public health,
engineering, consulting, insurance, defense, and economics. The
American Statistical Association web site -
www.amstat.org/careers
- gives an extensive list.
10. My undergraduate degree
is not in math or statistics; can I still enroll in MSAS?
A: Yes, as long
as you have the prerequisite mathematics knowledge (Calculus I
and II).
11. Is there any financial
support for students in the MSAS program?
A: There are a
limited number of graduate research assistantships to be
awarded. In addition, financial aid and loans are available. See
the Tuition, Expenses and Financial Aid section of the Graduate
Catalog.
12. How much does it cost to
enroll in the MSAS program?
A: As of Fall
2006, for a 7 credit hour load for a Georgia resident, tuition
and fees total $1317. For a non-Georgia resident, the cost would
be $3844 per semester. See the Tuition, Expenses and Financial
Aid section of the current Graduate Catalog for details.
13. How do I apply?
A: Fill out the
application for admission at
www.kennesaw.edu/graduate/admissions/forms.html.
14. How much time outside of
class will I need to spend?
A: For a 7 hour
course load, you can expect to spend 14 hours per week on
homework, take-home assignments and studying.
15. What is the difference
in “Applied Statistics” and “Statistics?”
A: The word
“applied” in the title of our program indicates that the
emphasis of the program is on using statistics to solve
problems, not on proving theorems or developing new statistical
methodology.
16. What do I do if I miss a
class?
A: If you know
ahead of time that you miss a class, make arrangements with
classmates and your instructor to make up any missed work.
Otherwise, you should contact some of your classmates to find
out what you missed. You can also contact the instructor.
17. I’m not interested in
Six Sigma certification. Do I need to take the tests?
A: No there is
no requirement to take any American Society for Quality
certification test. At the end of the first year, students will
be ready to take the Green Belt exam and can do so if they
choose. At the end of the program, students will have covered
the Body of Knowledge for the Black Belt exam. MSAS is unique in
that the Body of Knowledge is addressed for both exams within
the MSAS courses.
18. Will Kennesaw accept my
degree from a university outside the United States?
A: Graduates of
universities outside the United States must be able to document
that their degree is the equivalent of a four-year bachelor’s
degree awarded by an accredited United States college or
university. See
www.kennesaw.edu/graduate/admissions/international.html.
19. This program of study
seems very unique, it’s not offered at other universities. Why?
A: KSU is a growing university with about 19,000
students. This growth has enabled hiring 8 PhD statisticians
over a relatively short period; many of whom- have had
experience in business or industry. Thus, MSAS was developed
with business applications including use of software as a
primary objective.
20. Is MSAS an approved
program?
A: The program was approved by the University System of
Georgia Board of Regents on March 23, 2006.
21. I’m interested in going
to graduate school in an applied discipline. Will MSAS help me
prepare for my program?
A: The MSAS program includes the basic course content of
most master degree programs in applied statistics. Students are
encouraged to check with the university where they would pursue
a doctoral degree on the transferability of specific courses.
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