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Master of Arts in Statistics Requirements (Undeclared or General Statistics Track)

All MA in Statistics students who choose the undeclared track must complete:

Statistics Core

• Probability Theory (STAT GR5203)
• Statistical Inference (STAT GR5204)
• Linear Regression Models (STAT GR5205)

General Electives

• Take six (3-point) general elective courses from Statistics or Approved Electives list. 
  • At least three (3-point) electives must be selected from the Statistics Department. 

Capstone Experience

• Take Advanced Machine Learning (STAT GR5242) or Advanced Data Analysis (STAT GR5291). 

This will complete the ten course/30 credit minimum to graduate. View this PAGE for more details on program requirements. 

Master of Arts in Statistics Tracks

Starting Fall 2026, the Statistics Department will offer the Master of Arts in Statistics Tracks, providing students with flexibility in selecting highly specialized, carefully curated, and focused experiential learning pathways. 

While the traditional MA Program in Statistics requires students to complete three core statistics courses (Probability Theory, Statistical Inference, Linear Regression), six required electives (with at least three from the statistics department), and a capstone course with a project-based learning component, the new MA Tracks feature a shared common Statistics Core, followed by General Electives, Approved Track-Specific Electives and a Track-Specific Capstone Experience. All of the elective courses, as well as the topic-specific Capstone Experiences are derived from the department’s extensive and rich range of existing course offerings. This concentrated curriculum affords students the opportunity to master the specific knowledge and skills they seek in the most highly-sought after fields for aspiring statisticians. 

Please note that all MA degrees must be completed within three semesters for full-time students.

MA Track Declaration and Change Guidelines

Students have two opportunities to declare an  MA track:

1. First Opportunity: Admission directly into a track at the time of initial enrollment.

2. Second Opportunity: Declaration of a track after the completion of the second semester. The MA Team will send out a Track Declaration/Track Change Request Form at that time.

Conditions and Eligibility for Changing Tracks:

• Students may not transfer into the Theory and Methods track from other tracks.
  
• A Change Request into the General Statistics Track is automatically approved.
  
• Students who do not declare a track will graduate with a General Statistics Track degree, with no track designation on their transcript.
• Rule for Changing Tracks: To switch into a different track, students must demonstrate the ability to complete the intended Track within a 3 semester period. This requires completion of either two Track-specific electives, or one Track-specific elective along with the capstone experience, each with a minimum grade of A-.
  
• Students who do not pass the Theory and Methods qualifying exam must apply to change into another track. If they do not apply, they will be automatically placed into the General Statistics Track.
  
• For this automatic change, students need only have completed one track-specific elective with a grade of A- or higher.

A track declaration and/or a change of track declaration DOES NOT qualify for a program extension.

Advanced Machine Learning Track

The Advanced Machine Learning Track is designed for students with interests in technology, machine learning, and data science. This track equips MA in Statistics Students with fundamental statistical knowledge while offering advanced training in the fields of statistical machine learning and data science. The course requirements follow:

Statistics Core

• Probability Theory (STAT GR5203)
• Statistical Inference (STAT GR5204)
• Linear Regression Models (STAT GR5205)

Track Specific Electives and General Electives

Students must complete three track-specific electives along with three approved general electives. Of the six total electives, at least three must be taken from the Statistics Department.

• Stat Computing & Intro to Data Science (STAT GR5206)
• Statistical Machine Learning (STAT GR5241)
• Take three (3-point) general elective courses from Statistics or Approved Electives list. 
• Take one of the approved track-specific elective courses listed in Table 1 (see below)

Table 1: Advanced Machine Learning Approved Track-Specific Electives 

Notes: Topics in Modern Statistics (GR5293) and other track-specific electives from related programs not listed in Table 1 must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor.

Capstone Experience

• STAT 5242 Advanced Machine Learning 

This will complete the ten course/30 credit minimum to graduate. View this PAGE for more details on program requirements. 

Theory & Methods Honors Track

The Theory and Methods Honors Track offers students rigorous training in probability theory and mathematical statistics, along with valuable research experience. A key requirement of this track is the Theory & Methods Core Competency Exam, which students must pass before their final semester. Success in this exam is necessary to graduate from the Theory & Methods Track and enables students to collaborate with faculty on a honors capstone project.  The course requirements follow:

Statistics Core

• Honors Probability Theory
• Honors Statistical Inference
• Honors Linear Regression Models

Track Specific Electives and General Electives

Students must complete three track-specific electives along with three approved general electives. Of the six total electives, at least three must be taken from the Statistics Department.

• Take three (3-point) general elective courses from Statistics or Approved Electives list. 
• Take three (3-point) approved track-specific elective courses listed in Table 2 (see below)

Table 2: Theory & Methods Approved Track-Specific Electives 

Theory & Methods Honors Track Core Competency Exam

• Core Competency Exam administered at the end of the second semester (The exam is typically offered in late May) 

Capstone Experience

• STAT GR5291 section 003 Advanced Data Analysis

This will complete the ten course/30 credit minimum to graduate. View this PAGE for more details on program requirements. 

Risk & Financial Modeling Track

The Risk & Financial Modeling Track is designed for students interested in finance, fintech, quantitative finance, insurance, and other risk-related fields. It offers MA in Statistics students foundational statistical knowledge along with advanced training in risk and financial modeling, an area of strength in the Department of Statistics at Columbia. The course requirements follow:

Statistics Core

• Probability Theory (STAT GR5203)
• Statistical Inference (STAT GR5204)
• Linear Regression Models (STAT GR5205)

Track Specific Electives and General Electives

Students must complete three track-specific electives along with three approved general electives. Of the six total electives, at least three must be taken from the Statistics Department.

• Statistical Methods in Finance (STAT GR5261)
• Take three (3-point) general elective courses from Statistics or Approved Electives list. 
• Take two (3-point) approved track-specific elective courses from Table 3 (see below)  

Table 3: Risk & Financial Modeling Approved Track-Specific Electives 

Notes: Topics in Modern Statistics (GR5293) and other track-specific electives from related programs not listed in Table 3 must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor.

Capstone Experience

• STAT GR5291 section 001 Advanced Data Analysis 

This will complete the ten course/30 credit minimum to graduate. View this PAGE for more details on program requirements. 

Advanced Statistical Practice Track

The Advanced Statistical Practice Track offers traditional statistical training and is best suited to students with industry experience or a background in computing and applied research. This track is especially suitable for working professionals who wish to pursue the MA program on a part-time basis. The course requirements follow:

Statistics Core

• Probability Theory (STAT GR5203)
• Statistical Inference (STAT GR5204)
• Linear Regression Models (STAT GR5205)

Track Specific Electives and General Electives

Students must complete three track-specific electives along with three approved general electives. Of the six total electives, at least three must be taken from the Statistics Department.

• Take three (3-point) general elective courses from Statistics or Approved Electives list.
• Take three (3-point) approved track-specific elective courses from Table 4 (see below)  

Table 4: Advanced Statistical Practice Approved Track-Specific Electives 

Notes: Topics in Modern Statistics (GR5293) and other track-specific electives from related programs not listed in Table 4 must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor.

Capstone Experience

• STAT GR5291 section 002 Advanced Data Analysis 

This will complete the ten course/30 credit minimum to graduate. View this PAGE for more details on program requirements.