Master's degree in applied statistics is the latest program offering

Because of the demand for skilled statisticians in diverse fields like government‚ public health‚ economics‚ engineering and insurance‚ Kennesaw State University proposed a Master of Science degree with a major in applied statistics‚ which was approved by the Board of Regents on Wednesday‚ Jan. 11. The new program will go into effect this fall.

Just three other institutions in the University System of Georgia – Georgia Tech‚ Georgia State University and the University of Georgia – offer a master’s degree in statistics. KSU’s program differs from these because of its unique focus on preparing non−traditional students for employment as well as further graduate studies.

“This master’s degree is very distinctive since the program will appeal to a broad spectrum of graduates by providing them with multiple career options in some of the fastest growing job markets‚” Larry Peterson‚ dean of the College of Science and Mathematics‚ said.

The non−traditional schedule will feature paired blocks of courses for five semesters. For example‚ each semester‚ a three−hour methods course‚ three−hour applied course and one−hour project course will be offered two days a week at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. In addition‚ this program will place a high emphasis on teaching statistical software programs such as Six Sigma and SAS‚ which are required by most employers.

Prior to the start of the program‚ students will have an option of taking refresher courses in calculus and computer skills – known as “boot camp.”

###

Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing student population of 18‚500 from 132 countries. The third largest state university out of 35 institutions in the University System of Georgia‚ KSU offers more than 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.