PhD Statistics at Columbia University

Programme overview

The PhD in Statistics prepares students for research careers in probability and statistics in academia and industry. Students earn the MA and MPhil along the way. Cooperative programmes exist in operations research, mathematics of finance, actuarial science and quantitative social science methods.

Faculty: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences | Department: Department of Statistics | Intake: Fall | Study mode: full-time | Location: New York, NY, United States

What you will study

The first year covers foundational courses in theoretical statistics, applied statistics and probability. Later years bring advanced topics courses and work in the department's consulting service, with dissertation work typically beginning in the second year.

Career pathways

Graduates are placed at universities and research institutes as well as in government, business, industry and Wall Street.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences PhD application: transcript for each school attended, statement of academic purpose, personal statement, resume, 3 letters of recommendation (at least two academic). No writing sample. GRE General: not required. Expected preparation: strong mathematics including linear algebra (to the level of MATH V2020 at Columbia), advanced calculus (MATH V1201) and elements of modern analysis; experience in theoretical or applied probability and statistics is necessary; programming familiarity is helpful. Fall admission deadline: 1/7/2027. International applicants whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country where English is not the official language must submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores.

Intake: Fall

Apply through the official page: https://www.gsas.columbia.edu/content/prospective-students

Explore more study programmes

STEM