Students pursuing the Ph.D. in statistics are required to pass three examinations. The first, the Admission to Candidacy Examination, taken after one year of study, is designed to measure potential for advanced study in statistics at the doctoral level. The second, the Comprehensive Examination, is taken after all course work is completed. The third and final, the Dissertation Examination, is a defense of the dissertation results. Classes are televised live via closed circuit TV with real-time telephone feedback, viewable at any branch campus of USC or at any South Carolina Technical School.
Most courses require at least one trip to the main campus per semester.
The above rotation is expected to repeat in later years, with more courses to be added. Other distance or transfer courses with graduate-level statistical content, may also be used towards a CAS or MIS, with permission. Admission To be considered for the graduate program, applicants should have a bachelor's degree and have studied mathematics, including the basic calculus sequence with grades of B or better. For the MS and PhD programs, a course in advanced calculus or introductory analysis and a course in matrix algebra are also prerequisites. Applicants who do not have this preparation may be admitted with prerequisite conditions.