Post-Baccalaureate Undergraduate Certificate in Statistics

This certificate is accessible to persons with undergraduate majors in engineering, natural sciences, economics and other sciences, as well as to traditional mathematical sciences majors.

The rationale for the program notes that while students in all these areas get some exposure to statistical concepts and methods, they often find themselves in jobs that require significantly more training in statistics than they received as undergraduates. The certificate program provides the same level of coverage of topics in statistics as the baccalaureate track in statistics, but fewer credits in mathematical sciences than would be required for a second major.

Undergraduate majors in statistics are rare, relative to the number of jobs that utilize statistical knowledge. Liberal arts majors in mathematics and in the social sciences who have had one or two courses in statistical methods as undergraduates often find themselves learning more advanced techniques on the job. The proliferation of short courses, often offered outside university settings, testifies to the need for more advanced skills in the work place. The certificate program offers individuals a more efficient and more effective avenue for receiving such training and getting appropriate credit for it.

Students seeking to enter the certificate program in statistics should contact Dr. D'Arcy P. Mays for information on admission procedures.

Visit the VCU Bulletin for full program details, including requirements and courses.