BA in Statistical Practice
Statistics provides navigation essential for controlling the course of scientific and societal advances. It is the science of learning from data, measuring, controlling, and communicating uncertainty.
Compared to the BS degree, the BA program has fewer required mathematics courses and more applied statistics courses, or courses in a supporting quantitative area. The BA in statistical practice is an excellent choice for those students who are most interested in joining the workforce after completing their degree, or for those who would like to learn about statistics, but don’t enjoy the higher level math required in the BS degree.
The B.A. in Statistical Practice offers two distinct tracks: Applied Statistics and Data Science. Each track allows students to focus on specific areas of interest while gaining comprehensive training in statistical and data science methods.
Tracks
Applied Statistics Sub-Plan
To declare a statistics major, please email the School of Statistics academic advisor at [email protected] for more information.
Statistics provides navigation essential for controlling the course of scientific and societal advances. It is the science of learning from data, measuring, controlling, and communicating uncertainty.
Compared to the BS degree, the BA in Statistical Practice - Applied Statistics subplan program has fewer required mathematics courses and more applied statistics courses, or courses in a supporting quantitative area. The BA in Statistical Practice - Applied Statistics subplan is an excellent choice for those students who are most interested in joining the workforce after completing their degree, or for those who would like to learn about statistics, but don’t enjoy the higher level math required in the BS degree. The BA in Statistical Practice - Applied Statistics subplan is comprised of a series of required STAT courses, Calculus I and II, an intro CSCI course, and electives.
The BA in Statistical Practice - Applied Statistics subplan is intended for students who want to use their education as certification for work requiring statistical skills or as a basis for further education in another area like medicine, psychology, law, or others. Students who complete this program using statistics electives will have applied statistics training equivalent to most master's programs in statistics.
Data Science Sub-Plan
To declare a statistics major, please email the School of Statistics academic advisor at [email protected] for more information.
This track focuses on data management, cleaning, and statistical analysis. It includes more computer science courses and options for specialization in various domains, preparing students for roles in data-intensive industries.
The BA in Statistical Practice - Data Science subplan involves being able to extract and clean (large volumes of) data from a variety of sources, analyze that data statistically, and help put the data analysis results in context for decision-making. Accordingly, the Data Science subplan requires fewer statistics electives than either the Applied Statistics Subplan or the Statistics BS but more computer science classes (needed for data wrangling) and more classes outside of Statistics to encourage and allow both big-picture thinking about data and domain specialization. Indeed, since Data Science involves domain specialization, this subplan includes a variety of "emphasis" options, which range from engineering to the social sciences, so students can choose to focus on building tools for automation or on specific domains of societal interest that are built on or benefit from careful data analysis.
Transfer Guide
If you are exploring or planning to transfer to CLA, learning more about your intended major is important.
Click on the ” Full Requirements” button above to see all of the major requirements, and any limits or restrictions on certain kinds of courses or credits. Every major has a requirement of a minimum number of upper level credits or courses that must be taken through their department. Some departments also have limits to the number of 1xxx or 2xxx level courses that can count towards major requirements.
Courses to Prepare for the Major
CLA offers two Statistics majors:
- The BA in Statistical Practice - in this major, students choose either the Applied Statistics sub-plan or the Data Science sub-plan
- The BS in Statistical Science
Preparation for either the BA or the BS major starts with statistics, math, and computer science foundation courses:
- Statistics - STAT 3011 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis or STAT 3021 - Introduction to Probability & Statistics for either the BA Statistics Practice - Applied Statistics sub-plan or the BS Statistical Science. The BA Statistics Practice - Data Science sub-plan requires STAT 3021 - Introduction to Probability & Statistics. These courses prepare students for the next course in the required STAT sequence.
- Math - MATH 1271 - Calculus I. The BA Statistical Practice major also requires Math 1272 - Calculus II, and additional coursework in Linear Algebra. The BS Statistical Science major requires MATH 1272, MATH 2263 - Multivariable Calculus, and one to two courses in linear algebra.
- Computer Science - CSCI 1133 - Introduction to Computing and Programming Concepts (preferred for the BA in Statistical Practice - Data Science subplan), Computer Science - CSCI 1113 - Introduction to C/C++ Programming for Scientists and Engineers, or CSCI 2021 - Machine Architecture and Organization.
You should plan to start taking these courses or the appropriate prerequisites for these courses early in your academic career. Review the requirements for the specific major and sub-plan that you intend to pursue to make sure you are taking the correct coursework.
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses approved to satisfy major requirements.
Transferring Courses and Credits
Use Transferology to help you plan your courses for the major. Remember, when using Transferology, look for courses that transfer as direct equivalents to UMTC major courses.
Check Transferology to see if an evaluation already exists for courses you would like to use towards the major. If you find a course that has not been evaluated, you can submit an evaluation request to find out if your course is equivalent to a specific UMTC course. A copy of the course syllabus is required for the evaluation.
Declaring the Major
Transfer students must apply and be admitted to the College of Liberal Arts in order to declare a major. Check out the information on the Statistics declaration process on the Advising page.
BA Second Language Requirement
The BA degree does have a second language requirement. Consider completing or starting your second language before you transfer to CLA. Be sure to talk with a CLA transfer advisor about any questions.
Who Can Help as You Plan Your Transfer
- CLA Transfer Advising - CLA Transfer Advisors are ready to assist you as you plan your transfer to CLA. The Transfer to CLA website provides additional information to help you in your transfer exploration and planning.
- Statistics Department Advising - The departmental advisor can answer questions that are specific to the major.
- Office of Admissions - Requirements for admission to CLA are not the same as the requirements to declare a major. Read through the CLA Transfer Admissions requirements to learn more, and contact the Office of Admissions with any questions.
If you are a current UMTC student or a UM-Rochester student, you will use the
Change of College application process.
Career Paths
All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and statistics majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include strong quantitative reasoning abilities, analytical and logical reasoning, statistical analysis abilities, and information management skills.
Students who take the SuperStrong Interest Inventory receive a three-letter interest code, which identifies their top three areas of interest, work activities, potential skills, and personal values. The interest code "IRE" is often associated with this major, however, the SuperStrong assessment can help you understand how your interests connect to a variety of majors and career options. You can learn more about common employer types and occupations associated with this major. You can also see CLA specific examples of alumni careers below.
Internship & Job Search Websites
Student Groups
Professional Organizations
- National Institute of Statistical Sciences
- International Statistical Institute
- American Statistical Association
- Society of Actuaries
Alumni Career Examples
Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are alumni in all eight of the career fields). You can also utilize the LinkedIn's Alumni Tool and the Maroon and Gold Network to further explore alumni career pathways and connect directly with professionals.
Click to expand each accordion panel below for opportunities pursued by alumni in this major!
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Market Analyst Intern - Official Corporation E-commerce company
- Financial Aid Auditor - TADS
- Risk Analysis Intern - China National Investment & Guaranty Co., Ltd
- Sales Operations and CRM - Toro Company
- Business Systems Analyst - Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities
- Corporate Service Group Intern - China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Ltd.
- Marketing Intern - US-China Business Connection
- Audit Intern, International Business Group - BDO China Da Hua
- Summer Analyst Intern - Magnetar Capital
Entry-Level
- Account Executive - College ByME
- Business Systems Analyst I - Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities
- International Account Manager - Traffic Tech
- Associate, Energy Group - Ernst & Young
- Risk Analyst - RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc.
Experienced
- Vendor Analyst - US Bank
- Consultant - Statistical Consulting Clinic of UMN
- International Business Development Manager - Dalian Municipal Government
- Executive Assistant of VP Finance - Heritage Security Products
- Equity Trader - Open Door Capital Advisor
- Merchants Executive - Dalian Northeast Asia International Brand Commodity Trading Center Co., Ltd
- Account Manager - ITOCHU Corporation
- Risk Management Intern - People's United Bank
- Associate - BDO USA, LLP
- Risk Analyst - Morgan Stanley
Graduate Programs
- MS, Information Studies - McGill University
- MS, Financial Mathematics - University of Minnesota
- MS, Accountancy, Accounting and Finance - University of Rochester
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Data and Analytics Intern - US Bank
- Technology and Data Analysis
- Technical Support Analyst Intern - SAS
- Programmer Analyst
- Cardiovascular Research Intern - Mid America Heart Institute
- Quantitative Management Associate Program Intern - Bank of America
- Bioinformatics, Be the Match
- Statistician, China Construction Bank
- Analytical Intern, The Health Care Services Corporation
- Marketing Analytics Intern, Capella University
- Site Reliability Intern, Best Buy
- Statistics Intern, Minnesota Department of Corrections
Entry-Level
- Technical Analyst
- Data Analysis Consultant - China Galaxy Securities
- Data Analyst - Jinan Kanglite Company
- Data Assistant - East View Information Services
- Quantitative Analyst - Boothbay Fund Management, LLC
- Quantitative Management Associate - Bank of America
Experienced
- Data Analyst and Project Assistant - 369 Terminal Holdings Ltd
- Product Development and Innovation - US Bank
- Measurement and Activation - Ovative Group
- Statistician - University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston*
- Statistician - Statistics Community, UMN Chapter*
- Data Science in Marketing and Business Intelligence - CME Group*
- Statistical Research Assistant - Masonic Cancer Center UMN
- Fixed Income Quantitative Analyst, Assistant Vice President - State Street
- Associate Biostatistician - PPD*
- Data Science, Statistician - LiftPoint Consulting (formerly M Squared Group)*
- Senior Data Scientist, Strategy & Execution - CME Group*
Graduate Programs
- MS, Biostatistics - Yale University
- MS, Biostatistics - University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- MS, Statistics - University of Minnesota
- MS, Systems Engineering - University of Pennsylvania
- MS, Analytics - Northwestern University
- MS, Biostatistics - Seoul National University
- MS, Financial Engineering - New York University
- MS, Computer Science - Stanford University