Certificates of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics

Program Overview

The Statistics Program in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics offers two certificates of graduate study in Applied Statistics: a 12-credit Certificate of Graduate Study (CGS) in Applied Statistics, and a 6-credit Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study (mCGS) in Applied Statistics. 

Advancing the meaningful impact of research in quantitative data requires researchers with strong skill sets in applied research methods, including a focus on data equity. Our certificates of graduate study in Applied Statistics are designed to meet society’s need to develop the next generation of robust, methods-driven researchers and data users. These programs provide certification for graduate students and professionals who work with quantitative data that they possess familiarity with important statistical methods, associated statistical programming techniques, how to apply these tools in real-world settings through a data equity lens, and how to interpret and communicate findings.

Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics

The Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study (mCGS) in Applied Statistics is designed to be accessible to students and faculty across campus and outside of UVM, bolstering training opportunities in the application of statistics and aligned methodologies to support realworld data applications and problem-driven research.

Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics

The Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics will certify that graduate students and professionals who work with quantitative data have an in-depth understanding of important statistical methods, associated statistical programming techniques, how to apply these tools in real-world settings through a data equity lens, and how to interpret and communicate findings.

Curriculum

Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics

The Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics will equip students with practical skills to engage in responsible quantitative research. This program will help students understand when and how to use statistical tools to improve the quality of their data projects and research, give them practical skills they can apply in their work, and help them recognize situations that require consultation with a statistician.

The mCGS consists of two required core courses. In the core courses, students will apply statistical methods, develop statistical computing skills, and apply principles of data ethics. The core courses are project-based and provide students with rich opportunities to apply statistical techniques to solve real-world problems and evaluate the societal impacts of data-based decisions.

The certificate consists of two required courses as shown in the table below:

Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics

The Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics equips students with practical skills to engage in responsible quantitative research and will guide students to understand when and how to use statistical tools to improve the quality of their data projects and research, give them practical skills they can apply in their work, and help them recognize situations that require consultation with a statistician. 

Compared to the micro-certificate, the CGS in Applied Statistics include the same two required core courses as in the mCGS plus two elective courses. In the core courses, students will apply statistical methods, develop statistical computing skills, and apply principles of data ethics. In the elective courses students focus on more specialized methods and applications most relevant to thier specific area of study.

The certificate consists of four courses as shown in the tables below:

Core Courses

Elective Courses

Elective Courses: Students select two additional STAT courses numbered 5000 or above. The existing courses that could currently be used to as electives are listed below.

Admissions

Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics

Students may take the Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics courses as non-degree students but must apply and be accepted for graduate admissions once completing three (3) credits of coursework. The certificate requires only two 3-credit courses to complete. Thus, we do not expect retention to be a significant issue for recruited students. We expect full-time students to complete the certificate coursework as part of, not in addition to, their MS or PhD coursework.

While students may self-select for the micro-certificate after being accepted into a graduate program at UVM, they are required to meet the prerequisites, or receive instructor permission awarded based on, e.g., related work experience, for any of the coursework taken for the certificate.

Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics

Students may take Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics courses as non-degree students but must apply and be accepted for graduate admissions once completing six (6) credits of coursework. The certificate requires only four 3-credit courses to complete. Thus, we do not expect retention to be a significant issue for recruited students. We expect full-time students to complete the certificate coursework as part of, not in addition to, their MS or PhD coursework.

While students may self-select for either Applied Statistics certificate program after being accepted into a graduate program at UVM, they are required to meet the prerequisites, or receive instructor permission awarded based on, e.g., related work experience, for any of the coursework taken for the certificate.

Outcomes

Each certificate of graduate study in Applied Statistics program will help equip students with both technical skills in statistics and the ability to make ethically sound decisions when working with quantitative data. 

The learning outcomes for both programs (mCGS and CGS) are: 

• Critically evaluate data collection methods, sources, and quality.
• Identify and apply suitable statistical methods for solving problems across fields, including descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, modeling, and data visualization.
• Use statistical software to manipulate, analyze, and visualize datasets.
• Apply ethical frameworks and evaluate the societal impact of data-driven decisions, identifying potential biases and inequities in datasets and algorithms.
• Communicate statistical findings to non-technical stakeholders using accessible language and visual tools.

In addition to the above learning outcomes, students in the 12-credit CGS program will:

• Apply advanced statistical methods to address complex, domainspecific problems.