For more than twenty years, our Master of Professional Studies (MPS) program has offered world-class training in data science and preparation for the 21st-century workplace. The MPS provides a solid foundation in theoretical statistics, a broad education in many applied statistics topics, certification in SAS and a semester-long, real-world data analysis project. Our graduates are employed all over the world, in industries ranging from finance to survey analysis to biomedical research.
Program Description
The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Applied Statistics is for those who are interested in professional careers in business, industry, government or scientific research. Our MPS program provides rigorous training in modern data analytical skills that are sought after in almost any field. Currently, Cornell is the only Ivy League University that provides such a program. This program is recognized as a Professional Science Master's (PSM) program, approved by the Council of Graduate Schools.
For Employers
The Cornell University Applied Statistics Master of Professional Studies program is designed to provide its students with high levels of technical training in data science and statistics that are used in nearly all facets of industry. Due to its mathematical rigor, graduates of this master’s level program are exceptionally qualified for most any quantitative or data-driven position. Such positions can include, but are not limited to: industrial engineer, mathematician, operations research analyst, quantitative analyst, data scientist, research scientist, or statistician.
The MPS Program Has Two Options
Option I focuses on techniques of Statistical Analysis.
Option II, Data Science, which along with statistical techniques puts more emphasis on computer science than Option I, for example, high performance computing, databases, middleware, and scripting.
The MPS Program Has Three Main Components
- Required common and option-specific core courses.
- An in-depth statistical analysis MPS project supported by the core courses.
- Required coursework, including a two-semester course sequence in mathematical probability and statistics, and elective coursework selected from offerings in both the Department of Statistics and Data Science and other departments at Cornell.
Program duration
The program can be completed in two semesters by a well-prepared student with the equivalent of an undergraduate degree in statistics, applied mathematics, engineering or computer science. Students are expected to finish in two semesters. Exceptions are sometimes made, but attending for a third semester is not guaranteed.
