phd statistics asu

Data Science, Analytics and Engineering

MS Program information – All PhD Program information PhD Admissions PhD Faculty Tuition and fees Career services Request information – PhD How and when to apply

Program description

Data scientists are consistently ranked among the top jobs in the USA, and there is an increasing need for all engineers to make use of data science tools like statistics, machine learning, artificial neural networks and artificial intelligence. Yet, the majority of engineering occupations require subject matter expertise beyond data science.

Degree programs 

Data science, analytics and engineering ms.

The MS program in data science, analytics and engineering with a concentration in electrical engineering provides an advanced education in high-demand data science and electrical engineering. A focus on probability and statistics, machine learning, data mining and data engineering is complemented by electrical engineering-specific courses to ensure breadth and depth in data science and electrical engineering.

All students must choose a concentration:

• Computing and Decision Analysis
• Electrical Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Sustainable Engineering and Built Environment
• Bayesian Machine Learning
• Computational Models and Data
• Human Centered Applications
• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Application deadlines

Fall: December 31 Spring: July 31

Data Science, Analytics and Engineering PhD

The PhD program in data science, analytics and engineering engages students in fundamental and applied research as preparation for careers in academia, government or industry. The program’s educational objective is to develop each student’s ability to perform original research in the development and execution of data-driven methods for solving major societal problems. This includes the ability to identify research needs, adapt existing methods and create new methods as needed for data analytics and engineering.

This degree program is a collaboration between the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence  and the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (SoMSS) and provides a rigorous education with research and educational experiences that allow students to pursue careers in advanced research, teaching or state-of-the-art practice. Graduates demonstrate proficiency with existing methodology and significant accomplishment at advancing the state of the art in their chosen area of data science, analytics and engineering.

Fall: January 15 Spring: September 15

Contacts for the MS program are specific to the desired concentration. See the DSAE MS website contacts list for the correct contact.

PhD program

School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence Graduate advising office

• On campus programs: [email protected]
• Online MCS students:  [email protected]

Data science, analytics and engineering

• MS Program information – All
• PhD Program information
• PhD Admissions
• PhD Faculty
• Tuition and fees
• Career services
• Request Info – PhD

Read our online brochure for more details about the data science, analytics and engineering graduate program.

Psychology (Quantitative Research Methods), PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Psychology (Quantitative Research Methods)

The PhD program in psychology with a concentration in quantitative research methods offers an immersive education in advanced statistical techniques and research methodologies that are employed in the conduct of both basic and applied psychological research.

A collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to research empowers students to deepen their understanding and tackle key issues, such as exploring the limits of existing methods, pushing the methodological frontiers forward, evaluating the effectiveness of established and emerging methodologies, and improving the robustness of psychological research through innovative measurements and analytical methods.

What sets this program apart is its distinguished, award-winning faculty, known for their expertise and dedication to training the next generation of psychological methodologists. Alongside the faculty, students gain practical experience and master techniques in the areas of measurement, study design, data analysis, statistical modeling, and evaluation of the utility of new and existing methods.

Graduates of this program emerge as experts in quantitative research who are prepared to make meaningful contributions to the field by developing and applying sophisticated statistical and methodological solutions to address pressing research issues.

Quantitative Faculty       Research Labs

Degree Requirements

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (3 or 4 credit hours) PSY 502 Professional Issues in Psychology (3) or PSY 531 Multiple Regression in Psychological Research (4)

Concentration (3 credit hours) PSY 533 Structural Equation Modeling (3)

Other Requirements (31 credit hours) PSY 530 Intermediate Statistics (4) PSY 532 Analysis of Multivariate Data (3) PSY 534 Psychometric Methods (3) PSY 536 Statistical Methods in Prevention Research (3) PSY 537 Longitudinal Growth Modeling (3) PSY 538 Advanced Structural Equation Modeling (3) PSY 539 Multilevel Models for Psychological Research (3) PSY 540 Missing Data Analysis (3) PSY 543 Statistical Mediation Analysis (3) PSY 555 Experimental and Quasi-experimental Designs for Research (3)

Electives (22 or 23 credit hours)

Research (12 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) PSY 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information Electives are determined in consultation with the student's supervisory committee.

Other requirements courses may be substituted for other courses based on consultation with the student's supervisory committee.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• SlideRoom application and fee
• statement of purpose form
• curriculum vitae or resume
• three letters of recommendation
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home edition.

To apply to the doctoral program, applicants must follow the instructions on the doctoral program admissions instructions and checklist. It is strongly recommended that applicants download and print the instructions and checklist to ensure completion of the application process and that all required supplemental forms are included.

The Department of Psychology application process is completed online through ASU's graduate admission services, which includes the application form and official transcripts. Application to the Department of Psychology doctoral programs is also completed via SlideRoom, for processing of supplemental application materials. The SlideRoom account requires an additional fee.

Applicants must submit three academic letters of recommendation from faculty members who know the student well. Three letters are required, but four letters of recommendation may be submitted.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, career opportunities.

Quantitative psychologists possess advanced statistical and methodological expertise applicable to various research challenges. While rooted in psychology, their skills find broad applications in fields such as education, heath, neuroscience and marketing. Graduates of the doctorate in psychology (quantitative research methods) program excel in interdisciplinary collaboration and effective communication of complex ideas.

Potential careers induce roles as:

• consultants
• data scientists
• policy analysts
• psychology professors
• psychometricians
• research scientists

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/727-4561

Statistics MS - Professional Track

The master of science in statistics program now offers two tracks:

• Academic Track  
• Professional Track

T he information on this page details the new Professional Track which students can complete in only three semesters.

ASU's MS Statistics degree at Arizona State University is highly interdisciplinary and draws faculty research and teaching interests from various academic units. The program is highly flexible and can be tailored to reflect individual needs and goals.

Participating faculty are from units that include the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the W.P. Carey School of Business and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.

Data has been described as the world’s most valuable resource. Statisticians are key in interpreting data to guide critical decisions and direct new areas of inquiry in science, business, policy and government.

A report by McKinsey Global Institute predicts the U.S. will need up to 190,000 new professionals with analytical skills to help manage the Big Data movement and run data analytics and business intelligence operations in the private and public sectors. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for statisticians will grow 34 percent between 2016 and 2024, much faster than the growth rate of 7 percent for all occupations. ASU's statistics division is growing to meet this high demand.

The Professional Track MS Statistics program prepares students for a practice-oriented career, which emphasizes applied aspects of the discipline. Graduates understand some of the basic theory that is fundamental to the proper use of statistics, but are especially knowledgeable about the tools of applied statistics and are familiar with computer software packages available for doing statistical computations. This prepares students for data oriented positions in industry and government.

The statistics division of the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences has eight full-time faculty and is housed largely in Charles Wexler Hall, near the center of campus. Our approximately 30 statistics master's students enjoy a collaborative atmosphere and a full schedule of seminars and colloquiums each week. We support an active chapter of the Graduate Statistics Club, the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM), as well as a student chapter of American Mathematics Society (AMS). The school hosts an annual Math and Statistics Career Day and graduate students explore multiple career paths locally and nationally in business, industry, government and academia.

Degree Overview

30 credit hours including a culminating experience of a portfolio

Courses and electives

Required theory courses (6 hours), required applied linear statistical model courses (3 hours).

STP 530 Applied Regression Analysis or IEE 578 Regression Analysis or ECN 525 (3)

Electives (18 hours)

Culminating experience - portfolio (0 hours), how to apply.

The application deadline for our master's degree program is July 1. Applications are accepted for fall admission only.

More specifics can be found on the  How To Apply page .

Details of the MS Statistics degree can be found in the Student Handbook .

Statistics PhD

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PhD Program in Law and Psychology

Application fee waivers.

We are now offering a PhD application fee waiver program. Click here for information or to apply!

Ph.D. Program in Law and Psychology

Select Section

About the Ph.D. Program

Our program is designed to train a new generation of scholars in the field of Law and Psychology by taking a broad interdisciplinary approach that combines rigorous training in the Law and Psychology field along with advanced training in psychological science, research methodology, statistics, criminological theory, and legal theory. Our goal is for our students to use this training to tackle the many important but understudied areas where legal policy is in desperate need of empirical, psychological research. We have created this program for individuals looking for a career in academic research, trial consulting, and/or applied legal policy research. Note that this is  not  a clinical training program and our graduates are not license-eligible. 

Graduate students in this degree program have a set of required and recommended courses: 

Statistics & Methods Core:  Quantitative Analysis I (ANOVA), Quantitative Analysis II (Regression), Quantitative Analysis III (Multivariate Analysis), Experimental Research Methods

Substantive Core:  Advanced Legal Psychology, Advanced Forensic Psychology, Advanced Social Psychology

In addition, students will choose electives based on their desired area of specialization, including (but not limited to):

Basic psychology courses  (e.g., Developmental Psychology, Psychopathology, Cognitive Science)

Advanced statistical courses  (e.g., SEM, Bayesian Analysis, Data Visualization, Big Data)

Psychology & Law courses  (e.g., Advanced Correctional Psychology; Children and the Legal System; Mental Health and the Law; Neuroscience of Crime; Law, Litigation, and Science)

Criminology courses  (e.g., Seminar in Criminological Theory; Advanced Topics in Corrections; Advanced Topics in Courts and Sentencing; Advanced Topics in Juvenile Justice; Advanced Topics in Crime and Victimization).

In total, students will complete 84 credit hours (54 credits of coursework plus 30 credits of research), a masters thesis, a comprehensive exam, and a dissertation.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Like most similar programs, the PhD in Law and Psychology seeks to fully fund its students. ASU policy does not allow us to “guarantee” funding, but students are only admitted if we expect to have adequate funding to support them for 4-5 years. Funding may come in the form of a Teaching or Research assistantship, which involves 20 hours per week of responsibilities. The average amount of support for a 20-hour TA/RA academic year position at in our program is a $28,000-$30,000 stipend, health insurance, and full tuition remission. Summer funding is available (typically $8,000-$10,000), but is not guaranteed. In addition to TA/RA positions, ASU offers a number of internal fellowships and grants, and we automatically consider each of our admitted students for these funds. 

Joint Degrees (e.g., JD/PhD)

At this time we do not offer a formal joint degree option. Students wishing to obtain a JD/PhD would need to independently apply to and be accepted into our PhD program and the JD program at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. Note that TA/RA tuition remission does not cover law school tuition.

For More Information

Still have questions? Read our list of  Frequently Asked Questions  or contact Jessica Salerno, program director, at  [email protected] .

Geography, PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Geography

The specialized academic and professional training students receive in the PhD program in geography is sound graduate background for further specialization or for immediate employment. The program has sufficient flexibility to allow for individual needs and interests, allowing students to create a plan of study that fits their personal and professional goals.

In addition to innovative coursework, the state-of-the-art Spatial Analysis Research Center and Urban Climate Research Center offer students the opportunity to work with exceptional faculty on diverse research projects. Students have the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds in geography, including four members of the National Academy of Sciences and rising talent in the fields of climate science, sustainability and environmental science, urban heat island research, GIS and more.

Students in the program have the ability to build a path of knowledge that reflects their personal interests within the realms of geography. Students benefit from a wide variety of coursework and research opportunities in four broad interdisciplinary themes that span the expertise of the faculty within the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning:

• computational spatial science
• earth systems and climate science
• place, identities and culture
• sustainability science and studies

Additional Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Degree Requirements

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (3 credit hours) GCU 585 Geographic Research Design and Proposal Writing (3)

Electives or Research (43 credit hours)

Methods or Statistics Electives (6 credit hours)

Skills Electives (6 credit hours)

Specialization Electives (9 credit hours)

Other Requirement (5 credit hours) GCU 529 Contemporary Geographic Thought (3) GCU 591 or GPH 591 Seminar: Geography Colloquium (1) GCU 591 or GPH 591 Seminar: Geography Colloquium (1)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) GCU or GPH 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information Doctoral students entering with a bachelor's degree must complete 84 credit hours. These hours include 72 credit hours of coursework and research at ASU and 12 dissertation credit hours.

Doctoral students entering with a master's degree must complete 54 credit hours. These include 42 credit hours of combined coursework and research hours at ASU and 12 dissertation credit hours.

Coursework and research hours are selected by the student in consultation with an advisory committee. The program recognizes that other graduate-level courses are offered at ASU. Advanced courses are often taught in omnibus courses, courses that have rotating content and whose content is not reflected in their titles. Students may include these courses in their curriculum with approval of the program directors.

The other requirement course, Seminar: Geography Colloquium, is taken twice, once in each of the first two semesters of the program, for one credit hour each. Other courses may be used with approval of academic unit.

Up to six credit hours of 400-level coursework may be applied toward the plan of study.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• personal statement
• three letters of recommendation
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Incoming students must demonstrate or attain competence in cartography and quantitative methods and complete other basic coursework that will enable them to pursue graduate studies in their area of specialization.

The personal statement must address four items:

• What specialty in geography does the applicant wish to pursue, and why?
• What aspects of the applicant's education (a description is needed) will enable the student to pursue this specialty?
• What additional training does the applicant believe can be obtained at Arizona State University to realize the applicant's educational and career goals?
• Applicants should provide any other information they feel should be considered in their application for admission, e.g., research experience or information which might be drawn from the applicant's resume.

Letters of recommendation must be from three faculty members who can attest to the applicant's academic achievements.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, career opportunities.

Professionals with expertise in geographical sciences research, theory and practice are in high demand across sectors and industries, including institutions of higher education, consulting firms, government agencies, research facilities and community organizations. Skills in geographical data analysis, mapping and climate science are valuable to businesses and institutions relying on research-based approaches to solve complex real-world problems.

Career examples include:

• atmospheric, earth, marine or space sciences professor or instructor
• environmental scientist or specialist
• geographic information systems technician
• geophysical data technician
• geoscientist
• geospatial information scientist or technologist

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-7533

Political Science, PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

The GRE requirement is waived for fall 2024 admissions.

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Political Science

The PhD program in political science is intended to develop scholars who demonstrate a high level of excellence in teaching and research as professional political scientists. It offers a variety of areas of specialization within and between the four main subfields of political science: American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory. Students interested in a political theory specialization should consult with the academic unit prior to application.

Program faculty have particular strengths in Latino and Latina politics, women and politics, ethnoreligious dynamics, political violence, human rights, political psychology and political economy.

The school is host to the Center for Latina/os and American Politics Research, the Future Security Initiative and an experimental lab. Faculty are also affiliated with other centers at ASU, such as the Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab; the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict; the Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies; as well as the Center for the Study of Economic Liberty. Many faculty members are active in collaborative interdisciplinary research at ASU and with scholars at other universities, and they have won major grants and awards, as have the school's doctoral students.

Degree Requirements

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (3 credit hours) POS 503 Empirical Political Inquiry (3)

Electives and Research (69 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) POS 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information A maximum of 12 credit hours of approved coursework outside the department but within ASU may count toward the required 84 credit hours.

Coursework beyond the 12-credit-hour maximum may be taken outside the department with permission of both the director of Graduate Studies and the faculty advisor.

When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree. If students do not have a previously awarded master's degree, the 30 hours of coursework is made up of electives and research to reach the required 84 credit hours.

Also required is a formal oral defense of the dissertation and a written comprehensive examination in the major field.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• personal statement
• writing sample
• three letters of recommendation
• list of political science courses taken
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home edition.

To assist in evaluating all candidates, the applicant should list titles and related information for all previous undergraduate and graduate courses or coursework in political science or related fields. The file must be saved in a .pdf, .doc, .rtf or .txt format and uploaded with the online graduate admission application. The information should be in a table with the following column headings: Course Title, Undergrad Credit Hours, Graduate Credit Hours, Grade, Institution, Year.

Undergraduate coursework in political science is not a prerequisite for admission. However, applicants to the doctoral program should have a basic understanding of elementary statistics and the undergraduate content of the political science fields of specialization that they wish to study. Students without this background should allow sufficient time to acquire it.

The personal statement (one to three pages) should describe the areas of political science the applicant wishes to study, post-graduation goals, and why the School of Politics and Global Studies is the best fit for the applicant. Applicants may also mention any particular faculty members with whom they are interested in working and why, as well as provide context for any discrepancies in their educational background.

The writing sample is typically a previously written research or other similar paper that best demonstrates the applicants critical thinking and writing skills in political science or a related field. There is not a length requirement for the writing sample, but it should be of sufficient level to allow the admissions committee to evaluate the applicant's knowledge and skills.

Students are expected to take courses for the first four semesters that will prepare them for comprehensive exams by the beginning of their fifth semester.  Each subfield has required methods courses, research courses, and core seminars for major and minor fields and these must be included on the IPOS. The faculty advisor and the student will set timelines for course completion and exams, bearing in mind the goal of being prepared to take comprehensive exams by the beginning of the fifth semester at ASU. 

A minimum of 84 hours is required.

Core Courses (3 credits)

POS 503 - Empirical Political Inquiry

Research methods and techniques of the discipline, emphasizing empirical foundations and analytic methods employed in subfields.

Electives and Research (69 credits – 39 if previous MA applied to program)

If your field is American Politics:

• POS 603 - Polimetrics I
• POS 604 - Polimetrics II
• POS 530 - American Politics
• Three elective courses in subfield

If you field is Comparative Politics:

• POS 550 - Comparative Politics

If your field is International Relations:

• POS 560 - International Relations
• POS 604 – Polimetrics II or approved Methods course

Culminating Experience (12 credits)

POS 799 – Dissertation

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, career opportunities.

Program graduates have a strong track record of obtaining positions in academic, public and private sectors. The program works closely with students so they have the opportunity and tools needed to achieve their career goals. The doctoral program provides advanced education for students preparing for teaching, research or applied careers in political science in government, nonprofits and the private sector.

Career examples include:

• campaign consultant
• campaign strategist
• data analyst
• research specialist
• tenure-track or instructional faculty in political science

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-8563