Degree Options in Statistics
B.S. in Statistics
B.S. in Statistics (STAT) (64 S.H.)
STAT 4-Year Map (PDF)
Statistics Minor
Minor in Statistics (STAT) (18 S.H.)
Why Statistics?
Data are everywhere. Statistics is the science of data interpretation, of using data to arrive at informed, intelligent decisions. Data are just the raw material of knowledge; being a statistician means having the ability to extract, synthesize, and communicate meaning from the sea of data that surrounds us in our information-saturated world. From astronomy; biology; economics; social science; education; public health; psychology; medicine; sports; and marketing; statisticians are relied on to advance the state of knowledge in the field. As statistician John Tukey put it, “The best thing about being a statistician is that you get to play in everyone else’s back yard.”
And another best thing about being a statistician? Employers want you! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for individuals with a background is statistics is projected to grow. Employment of statisticians is projected to increase 27% percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average job. This growth is expected to result from more widespread use of statistical analysis to make informed business, healthcare, and policy decisions. Furthermore, an increasing number of positions are available for those with only a bachelor’s level training.
Program features
In the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Winona State University, statistics majors will benefit from a wide variety of features, including:
- Small class size: The average size of a statistics class in our department is only 37 students. This means you get the teacher-student interaction you need to ensure success.
- Computational resources: Knowing how to use statistical software is critical to becoming a successful statistician. In our department, you will have access to and learn to use a wide variety of computational tools used by professional statisticians. This includes programs such as JMP, SAS, R, and SPSS.
- Dedicated teachers: The statistics faculty at Winona State are here to make sure you not only succeed, but have fun doing so!
- Experiential learning: Field trips are frequent to help statistics majors discover their specific interests. Recent learning experiences include trips to Trane Industries, Mayo Clinic, and Target. These visits often result in internships for our majors.
- Graduate school visits: Our majors are strong candidates for any reputable graduate program in statistics or biostatistics. We take annual visits to regional graduate schools so students can explore their options. Recent visits include Iowa State University, University of Minnesota, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.