The program at Carnegie Mellon prepares students for such work by providing them with collaborative experience while they master technical skills based on a solid conceptual foundation. The faculty members are all very active in research and professional endeavors yet put a high priority on graduate training. The moderate size of the department and its congenial and supportive environment foster close working relationships between the faculty and students. In pursuing graduate degrees, students follow programs that may be tailored to suit individual interests. The master's degree program trains students in applied statistics by imparting knowledge of the theory and practice of statistics.
Requirements are satisfactory completion of course work and a written comprehensive examination.
There is no thesis requirement. The Ph.D. program is structured to prepare students for careers in university teaching and research and for industrial and government positions that involve consulting and research in new statistical methods. Doctoral candidates first complete the requirements for the M.S. in statistics. They then typically complete another year of courses in probability and statistics. A written Ph.D. comprehensive examination and an oral thesis proposal presentation and defense are required.