Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
On-Campus
About the MS in Applied Statistics at Loyola
The world is generating more data than ever, but there are not enough statistically-savvy professionals with the training to turn raw numbers into useful information and insights. Loyola's Master of Science (MS) in Applied Statistics is ideal for quantitatively-skilled and curious individuals who want to help influence and inform the decision-making and analytics process at a variety of organizations through the use of statistical modeling tools, evidence, and big data.
Whereas other statistics programs in the Chicago area tend to focus more on theoretical statistics, Loyola's emphasis on applied statistics gives students an advantage in many evidence-based fields such as the industrial, biomedical, marketing, educational, financial, and contract (CRO) sectors. Our program attracts students from a wide array of backgrounds, including recent graduates looking to make a career in data science and/or predictive modeling, students coming from the biological sciences, psychology, business, and education fields, and working professionals who are looking to break into a new career.
Program Structure
The MS in Applied Statistics program at Loyola is a 30-credit (non-thesis) master's program. Although based at Loyola's Lake Shore Campus, you'll also work extensively with researchers and other students at Water Tower and Health Science Campuses.
As a student in our MS in Applied Statistics program, you will choose between four specializations—Biostatistics, Environmental Statistics, General Applied Statistics, or Predictive Analytics/Modeling:
- The Biostatistics specialization covers non- and pre-clinical statistical methods, bioassay, statistical genetics, clinical trials, and bioinformatics.
- The Environmental Statistics specialization addresses Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial statistics, and environmetrics.
- The specialization in General Applied Statistics includes non-medical applications such as actuarial, commercial, data-mining, industrial, marketing, and national defense.
- The Predictive Modeling specialization focuses on big data analytics and modeling.
The Applied Statistics MS can generally be completed in just three semesters of full-time study. The program can also be completed on a part-time basis, although some of the classes are taught during the day. Part-time students who are working full-time need to have some flexibility in their work schedules.
Are you a current Loyola undergrad?
This program is eligible for an Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's degree. Earn a Master’s with only one extra year of study following the completion of your eligible undergraduate degree.
LEARN MOREWhy Choose Loyola for Your MS in Applied Statistics?
Loyola offers a unique, forward-thinking program that includes both general and specialized applied statistics coursework.
- Four industry-relevant specializations
- Small class sizes and a more personal experience
- A capstone project with professional impact
- Highly engaged, research-focused faculty
- Special events for sharpening real-world skills
- Little prior experience or coursework is required
Customize the program to fit your interests. Choose to develop expertise and specialized skills in: Biostatistics, Environmental Statistics, General Applied Statistics, or Predictive Analytics/Modeling.
Class sizes are around 10-15 students, which affords you ample opportunities to interact with and receive one-on-one attention from faculty, and to build your professional network.
Gain experience that will prepare you for the working world through a capstone Statistical Consulting course. Working in a cohort of 2-3 students, you'll collaborate to provide pro bono statistical analysis assistance to Loyola faculty across our three campuses. This will help you hone your data science and consulting skills while providing our researchers with cutting-edge results that may facilitate publications and grant submissions.
You'll work closely with faculty from this and other disciplines such as medicine, computer science, and psychiatry to develop envelope-pushing research. Our faculty truly enjoy working with our MS students, and our students invariably cite this as one of the highlights of our program.
Connect and compete at Loyola's DataFest, a data "hackathon" where you'll gain experience working with datasets provided by companies and organizations such as TicketMaster, Expedia.com, and Indeed.com.
Our Master of Science program is novel in that it requires you to have completed just one introductory statistics course plus two calculus courses during undergraduate studies for admission into our program.
Mathematics and Statistics Department
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers a wide variety of degree programs designed for students with diverse career or higher educational goals. Find stories showcasing current students and graduates from the Applied Statistics MS program and learn more about why Loyola is right for you.
Department WebsiteDepartment News and StoriesMeet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the department faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Applied Statistics MS program.
FacultyMS in Applied Statistics: Career Connections
With required courses that include R and SAS programming, Introduction to Regression, Introductory Probability and Mathematical Statistics — as well as electives that include Longitudinal Data Analysis, Categorical Data Analysis (Logistic Regression), Survival Analysis, Simulation Methods, and Predictive Modelling — our graduates tackle practically any job and assignment in the wide world of data and statistical consulting.
About 90% of our graduates choose to enter the workforce upon completion of their studies; the remaining graduates choose Ph.D. programs to further their studies. Graduates entering the workforce find good-paying jobs in the fields of applied statistics, banking, bioinformatics, biostatistics, data science, environmental statistics, financial analytics, insurance, market research and statistics, medical analytics, predictive analytics, quantitative risk analysis, social and policy research, and statistical programming.
Additionally, approximately 2-3 students per year enter highly competitive, top-notch Ph.D. programs at schools that include Northwestern University, the University of Illinois (Chicago or Urbana/Champaign), the University of Michigan, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Specific job options include:
- Data scientist
- Statistician
- Biostatistician
- Market researcher
- Financial analyst
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Applied Statistics MS program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Applied Statistics MS learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2023-2024 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogMS in Applied Statistics Results and Skills
Upon successful completion of your MS in Applied Statistics degree, you will have proven your ability to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in statistical computing, applied regression and experimental design, statistical theory, survival analysis, and predictive modeling
- Present your ideas and findings clearly and concisely through enhanced professional communication, project write-up, and presentation skills
- Choose and/or develop the appropriate statistical model for a given dataset-situation, and have mastered the skill of interpreting the chosen model
- Understand and apply basic theorems and proofs used in introductory probability and statistical inference
- Work with data from a range of application fields such as public/global health, medical, industrial, and environmental research
- Ethically apply statistical training in the real world
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Applied Statistics MS totals $33750.00, or 30 credit hours at a cost of $1,125.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
The Graduate School Scholarships
Information about funding opportunities within The Graduate School can be found on The Graduate School website.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe Graduate School offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Applied Statistics MS are listed below:
Fall: July 15
Fall Merit Award Deadline: February 1
Spring: December 1
Summer: April 15
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Applied Statistics MS include:
Transcripts
3 Letters of Recommendation
3.0 Minimum GPA
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose
Prerequisite Course Requirements
Admission to the Applied Statistics MS program requires successful completion of the following courses:
One year of Calculus equivalent to MATH 131 and MATH 132 or MATH 161 and MATH 162
One course in Introductory Statistics equivalent to STAT 103, STAT 203 or STAT 335
Statement of Purpose Details
Please consider the following questions: What motivated your decision to pursue this graduate degree? Is there anything motivating an application to Loyola, specifically? What qualifications or attributes do you bring with you that predict your success in our program? What are your career goals following the completion of your degree, and how do you envision our courses and faculty supporting them?
International Student Requirements
Additional information regarding the application process for international students can be found on the International Student Requirements page.
Additional Details
For general information and a step-by-step guide to applying for graduate and professional study, please visit our Admission Process page. There is no fee to apply to graduate programs at Loyola.
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