michigan state math phd

Accessibility Tools

Highlight links, change contrast, increase text size, increase letter spacing, readability bar, dyslexia friendly font, increase cursor size.

Latest News

Read more news here...

Math sweeps the court!

Upcoming Seminars

See the full schedule of upcoming seminars...

Student Spotlight

Samara Chamoun featured as MSU Graduate School Educator of the Month

Samuel Sottile named 2023 Churchill Scholar

Jump to navigation

Search form

The Graduate School

• Faculty/Staff Resources
• Programs of Study Browse the list of MSU Colleges, Departments, and Programs
• Graduate Degree List Graduate degrees offered by Michigan State University
• Research Integrity Guidelines that recognize the rights and responsibilities of researchers
• Online Programs Find all relevant pre-application information for all of MSU’s online and hybrid degree and certificate programs
• Graduate Specializations A subdivision of a major for specialized study which is indicated after the major on official transcripts
• Graduate Certificates Non-degree-granting programs to expand student knowledge and understanding about a key topic
• Interdisciplinary Graduate Study Curricular and co-curricular opportunities for advanced study that crosses disciplinary boundaries
• Theses and Dissertations Doctoral and Plan A document submission process
• Policies and Procedures important documents relating to graduate students, mentoring, research, and teaching
• Academic Programs Catalog Listing of academic programs, policies and related information
• Traveling Scholar Doctoral students pursue studies at other BTAA institutions
• Apply Now Graduate Departments review applicants based on their criteria and recommends admission to the Office of Admissions
• International Applicants Application information specific to international students
• PhD Public Data Ph.D. Program Admissions, Enrollments, Completions, Time to Degree, and Placement Data
• Costs of Graduate School Tools to estimate costs involved with graduate education
• Recruitment Awards Opportunities for departments to utilize recruitment funding
• Readmission When enrollment is interrupted for three or more consecutive terms
• Assistantships More than 3,000 assistantships are available to qualified graduate students
• Fellowships Financial support to pursue graduate studies
• Research Support Find funding for your research
• Travel Funding Find funding to travel and present your research
• External Funding Find funding outside of MSU sources
• Workshops/Events Find opportunities provided by The Graduate School and others
• Research Opportunities and programs for Research at MSU
• Career Development Programs to help you get the career you want
• Graduate Educator Advancement and Teaching Resources, workshops, and development opportunities to advance your preparation in teaching
• Cohort Fellowship Programs Spartans are stronger together!
• The Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (BGHS) A national network society for students who have traditionally been underrepresented
• Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) A gateway to graduate education at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities
• Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) A community that supports retention, and graduation of underrepresented doctoral students
• Recruitment and Outreach Ongoing outreach activities by The Graduate School
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Funding Funding resources to recruit diverse students
• Graduate Student Organizations MSU has over 900 registered student organizations
• Grad School Office of Well-Being Collaborates with graduate students in their pursuit of their advanced degree and a well-balanced life
• Housing and Living in MI MSU has an on and off-campus housing site to help find the perfect place to stay
• Mental Health Support MSU has several offices and systems to provide students with the mental health support that they need
• Spouse and Family Resources MSU recognizes that students with families have responsibilities that present challenges unique to this population
• Health Insurance Health insurance info for graduate student assistants and students in general at MSU
• Safety and Security MSU is committed to cultivating a safe and inclusive campus community characterized by a culture of safety and respect
• Why Mentoring Matters To Promote Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education at MSU
• Guidelines Guidelines and tools intended to foster faculty-graduate student relationships
• Toolkit A set of resources for support units, faculty and graduate students
• Workshops Workshops covering important topics related to mentor professional development
• About the Graduate School We support graduate students in every program at MSU
• Strategic Plan Our Vision, Values, Mission, and Goals
• Social Media Connect with the Graduate School!
• History Advancing Graduate Education at MSU for over 25 years
• Staff Directory
• Driving Directions

Mathematics

Link to department website

Link to RCR plan - Date on Plan: 12/28/2009 - Contact Person: Jeffrey Schenker

Link to Graduate Handbook

Program: Applied Mathematics Academic Plan: APPLDMA_MS Award Type: MS Phone: 517-353-6338 Email: [email protected] Address: Wells Hall, 619 Red Cedar Road, Room A213, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

Program: Applied Mathematics Academic Plan: APPLDM_PHD Award Type: PHD Phone: 517-353-6338 Email: [email protected] Address: Wells Hall, 619 Red Cedar Road, Room A213, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

Program: Industrial Mathematics Academic Plan: INDUSTM_MS Award Type: MS Phone: 517-353-6338 Email: [email protected] Address: Wells Hall, 619 Red Cedar Road, Room A213, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

Program: Mathematics Academic Plan: MATHEM_MAT Award Type: MAT Phone: 517-353-6338 Email: [email protected] Address: Wells Hall, 619 Red Cedar Road, Room A213, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

Program: Mathematics Academic Plan: MATHEMA_MS Award Type: MS Phone: 517-353-6338 Email: [email protected] Address: Wells Hall, 619 Red Cedar Road, Room A213, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

Program: Mathematics Academic Plan: MATHEM_PHD Award Type: PHD Phone: 517-353-6338 Email: [email protected] Address: Wells Hall, 619 Red Cedar Road, Room A213, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

• Call us: (517) 353-3220
• Contact Information
• Privacy Statement
• Site Accessibility
• Call MSU: (517) 355-1855
• Visit: msu.edu
• MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.
• Notice of Nondiscrimination
• Spartans Will.
• © Michigan State University

Accessibility Tools

Highlight links, change contrast, increase text size, increase letter spacing, readability bar, dyslexia friendly font, increase cursor size, about the doctoral program.

This program is designed for those who show promise of becoming leaders in local, state, national and international mathematics education communities. The program prepares researchers and leaders to address critical issues in mathematics education by developing analytical perspectives for research, engaging in reflective teaching, and deepening mathematical knowledge.

In addition to required coursework in mathematics, students in this program take courses and gain research experience in mathematics education. During their time at MSU, doctoral students in the Mathematics Education Graduate Program usually teach (undergraduate mathematics and teacher education courses, including mathematics for elementary school teachers) and work on mathematics education research and development projects. For those who intend to seek academic jobs as mathematics educators in collegiate mathematics departments, do research about undergraduate mathematics teaching and learning, and/or teach mathematics content courses to undergraduate students, this Ph.D. program might be the most appropriate placement.

Students who may be Interested in the Program

• Graduates of undergraduate mathematics or mathematics education programs with interests in research and academic careers;
• K-12 teachers intending to return to the classroom or to leadership in schools and districts who desire strong, research-oriented knowledge and experience in mathematics education; and
• Graduates of undergraduate mathematics or mathematics education programs with interests in careers in curriculum development, policy, assessment, etc., not necessarily with a focus on research.

Experience Gained at MSU

Students in the Ph.D. program in Mathematics Education will have opportunities to acquire an understanding of and experience in various aspects of the mathematics education field, including:

• investigation of mathematical learning and teaching;
• the development of instructional materials;
• participation in policy formation;
• development and use of assessment; and
• the integration of technology into mathematics learning and teaching.

Students will address issues of research ethics in the Mathematics Education Proseminar courses, MTHE 926 and 927.

Mathematics Focus

A career at any level in mathematics education requires substantive knowledge of the core discipline of mathematics.  Therefore, the degree is designed so that a student can pursue the equivalent of a master’s degree or more in mathematics suitable to his or her area of focus.  With his or her guidance committee, each student will plan a set of courses in mathematics that, together with the student’s prior coursework and teaching experiences, is appropriate for the student’s career plans.

Jointly Administered

The Mathematics Education Doctoral Program is administered jointly by the College of Natural Science and the College of Education , with the College of Natural Science as the lead college. Graduate students are awarded many opportunities and fellowships through both colleges. Please contact Lisa Keller , Assistant Director in the Program in Mathematics Education, with any questions regarding the Mathematics Education Doctoral Program.

Mathematics Education Graduate Program

Beth Herbel-Eisenmann, Director of PRIME and Math Ed Doctoral Program [email protected]

Lisa Keller, Assistant Director of PRIME [email protected]

Name, Academic Program Coordinator/Grad Secretary

619 Red Cedar Road C110 Wells Hall Michigan State University  East Lansing, MI 48824  (517) 432-1490

Accessibility Tools

Highlight links, change contrast, increase text size, increase letter spacing, readability bar, dyslexia friendly font, increase cursor size, phd in statistics, phd in statistics program.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree program with a major in statistics is designed for students who plan to pursue careers in university teaching and research or in industrial and government research and consulting. A doctoral student pursuing the degree program in statistics may choose to emphasize either statistics or probability. To see job placement information for our past PhD graduates, see STT PhD graduate job placement .

The Department of Statistics and Probability is accepting applications for our PhD in Statistics program for Fall 2025.

The application for admission, application fee, and all required supporting documents should be submitted no later than  January 15, 2025. The application system opens each August.

For full consideration of MSU Graduate School and College of Natural Science fellowship opportunities, applications should be received by  December 1, 2024 . These fellowships are different than graduate assistant positions awarded by the department to students admitted to the PhD in Statistics program. 

STEPS TO APPLY 

Submit the required documents and complete the application by Jan. 15, 2025 . For University Fellowship consideration, please submit everything by December 1, 2024.

• Help guides for the application process: Domestic Application or International Application
• Create an account. You will need this to access your application, where all documents must be uploaded. explore.msu.edu/apply/
• Choose the PhD major from the dropdown list:   Statistics
• See our PhD Handbook for program requirements STT Graduate Handbook
• You must pay the application fee $65 (domestic) or $75 (international). If you are financially unable to pay the fee, visit the Application Fee Waiver site for assistance: https://grad.msu.edu/application-fee-waiver
• Once you submit and pay the application fee, you can upload all required documents. See list below and please use this helpful checklist: Application Checklist

Applications are accepted for Fall Semester only.  We do not accept applications for Spring or Summer semesters. You can check your application status through the  Application Portal . Questions? Please contact us at [email protected] .  Thank you for your interest in our graduate program.

REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS for PhD Program

Please use the Application Checklist to help you. All required documents below must be uploaded to the Application Portal:   explore.msu.edu/apply/

Official Transcripts: All college work (undergraduate and graduate), including diplomas and certificates translated in English, must be sent to MSU Department of Statistics and Probability directly from the school(s) which you attended or are currently attending. Domestic (located in the US) colleges can send electronic transcripts. International colleges are required to send hard (paper) copies.  Note: Applicants are encouraged to upload unofficial transcripts to the student portal for the committee to review while we wait for Admissions to add your official transcripts to your profile.  Our address: Michigan State University Department of Statistics and Probability Wells Hall  619 Red Cedar Road, Room C413 East Lansing, MI 48824 USA

GRE : The GRE test is required for PhD applicants. Sub tests are not required. Test Scores must be submitted to the Michigan State University Graduate Admissions Office by the Educational Testing Service. The Institutional Code for MSU is 1465. No department code is necessary.   

Three (3) Letters of Recommendation: The Department of Statistics and Probability requires THREE (3) letters of recommendation. These must be submitted from professors or other professionals who can assess your promise of success in our graduate program. You cannot upload the letters of reference yourself. There is a place for you to list the name and email of your recommenders and they will be contacted and asked to upload a letter for you. As writing and submitting a letter might take some time, please give your recommenders enough time to prepare their letters.

Register your references /  recommenders through the Application Portal. Under "References” Click “Add Recommender” and enter their information. Decide if you want to waive your right to access your letters of recommendation. Sign electronically and then click "Send to Recommender” or click "Save" to enter details at a later time. When you "Send to Recommender," the system will send your reference an email of instructions on how to submit their letter of reference.

Do not have hard copy letters of recommendation mailed. They must be submitted through the Application Portal: explore.msu.edu/apply/

TOEFL Scores (International Students Only) : TOEFL test scores must be submitted to the Michigan State University Graduate Admissions Office by the Educational Testing Service. The Institutional Code for MSU is 1465. No department code is necessary. Please note that the Department of Statistics and Probability requires TOEFL, and we do not accept other language tests. The TOEFL test is valid for 2 years from the date of the test to the first day of class for the admit semester. For Fall semester 2025 that would be Aug. 28, 2025. The minimal TOEFL scores required for regular admission at MSU MSU English Proficiency Requirements

• Listening 19
• Speaking 19
• *Plus 1 point or more on any of these topics to equal a minimum of 80 points .

***NOTE: Due to cancellations of TOEFL, MSU will be temporarily accepting the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition from applicants affected by these closures. We will also accept IELTS. 

Advanced Mathematics Profile: Advanced Mathematics Profile Click for link. Fill in the table with every advanced mathematics and statistics course you have completed (with grade) or expect to complete before beginning graduate study at Michigan State University. This information will be used to assess your math and statistics-related preparation. Please list all that apply. Upload your math profile document under the "Personal Statement" section of the MSU online application.

Academic Statement: This is sometimes referred to as your Statement of Purpose. Upload this document under the "Academic Statement" section of the MSU online application.

Resume / CV: A current Resume / CV is required. Please upload to your online application.

Graduate Degree

Computational mathematics, science and engineering - doctor of philosophy, college of engineering, department of computational mathematics, science and engineering, graduate study.

• have a four-year bachelor’s degree in any area.
• have a strong interest in computational and/or data science. 
• have taken course work in calculus through differential equations, and have a working knowledge of linear algebra, basic statistics, and basic numerical methods.
• be proficient in at least one programming language.

Other Links