Welcome to the Department of Statistics! We are an academic department in the College of Letters & Science (L&S) and School of Computer, Data, and Information Sciences (CDIS)
In the growing field of data analysis, statistics and data science are tools that focus on extracting and analyzing data. Through our undergraduate Statistics major, Data Science major, and Data Science certificate programs, our students will be provided with the foundation, tools, and skills to be prepared to solve real-world problems and make data-informed decisions.
General questions about any of our undergraduate programs, can be directed to our Recruitment Coordinator.
Additional Resources for Prospective Students
Undergraduate Academic Programs
Statistics Major
Provides rigorous training in the basic theory and methodology of statistics along with substantial experience with applications, including the design and analysis of scientific studies.
Statistics Certificate
Provides foundational skills in statistics and analytics to solve data problems with a mathematical approach.
Data Science Major
Combines advanced math and programming skills to solve data rich problems, develop data science tools, and produce meaningful insights from data.
Data Science Certificate
Provides foundational skills in data analysis and programming for high-end users of data science tools.
I am a high school or transfer student interested in Statistics and/or Data Science. What steps should I take?
Submit an admission application
Students can indicate up to TWO majors of interest on their application (feel free to list "Statistics" or "Data Science"). It's okay if you don't or forget to. Students typically declare their major once on campus and meets declaration requirements.
Register for a School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS) Information Session
Learn more about our programs by attending a CDIS session. Admitted students can register for a Future Badger Day and visit us at the L&S Majors Fair in the spring semester. We are not available for individual appointments.
Send in any transfer courses or AP/IB exam scores to UW-Madison
To be awarded credit for a transfer course or AP/IB exam that you've taken, please send the official scores or transcripts to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment after accepting your admittance to UW-Madison.
Register for SOAR
A Data Science or Statistics advisor will help transfer students to enroll in courses at SOAR. General advisors will help freshmen students enroll, but a Data Science or Statistics advisor can be available for general questions.
Meet with a Data Science/Statistics Major Advisor
Once you are on-campus, we recommend you meet with a major advisor in your first semester to assist in any advising, declaration, and course questions you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I apply to the major or certificate program?
There is no separate or additional application process to apply for our academic programs. We also do not have a direct admissions process.
Prospective freshmen and transfer students can submit a UW-Madison application via the Common Application or UW System Application. On the application, you can list two academic major programs they are interested in on their application form. After you have been admitted and made to a deposit to attend UW-Madison, you can declare our academic programs once you start your first semester on-campus.
I am a current UW-Madison student. How do I declare?
Students who are already on-campus should navigate to our program page links below for instructions on how to declare.
How can I check if my courses will transfer?
Students can create a free student account on Transferology to see if any of the courses they have taken or plan to take would transfer to UW-Madison. Students then can check to see if those courses appear on our major requirements pages on the Guide. For courses that do not appear in Transferology, students will need to submit syllabi, once admitted, so that a proper equivalency can be assigned.
We are not involved in the course equivalency process. If you have further questions, please contact the Office of Admissions & Recruitment at onwisconsin@admissions.wisc.edu or consult the Transfer Your Credit website.
I have questions and want to meet with an advisor. Who can I contact to set up a meeting?
We highly encourage students to register for a CDIS information session for questions about our Statistics and Data Science programs. You are welcome to email your questions to our Recruitment Coordinator and we will do our best to respond within 1-2 business days. However, please understand that advisors have varying availability throughout the year so requests for in-person meeting when you visit campus is not always possible or guaranteed.
What careers can I pursue in Data Science and/or Statistics?
Check out the Data Science Skills Sheet and Statistics Skills Sheet to explore career-related information in these two fields. Students are also welcome to explore the Technology, Data & Analytics Career Community too.
SuccessWorks is the career services unit for L&S students and a great resource for students in career and internship assistance which they can utilize as a UW-Madison student.