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Statistics helps professionals extract meaningful patterns and trends from complex datasets. This career guide explores jobs in statistics, their applications, and the essential skills needed to succeed in this data-driven field.

What is statistics?

Statistics is a branch of mathematics focused on gathering, organizing, and analyzing data to draw reliable conclusions that inform decision-making. If you're interested in numbers, you could qualify for a career in scientific research, business, finance, healthcare, or other related fields.

A statistics course, degree, or certification can give you the ability to:

  • Analyze trends and behavior
  • Support or disprove hypotheses
  • Use tools that provide in-depth analysis

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Choosing the right statistics program for you

No matter where you are in your educational journey, there are many convenient and flexible statistics programs. Here are a few to consider.

Courses

A course in statistics is an excellent option for individuals curious about this field or looking to develop specific knowledge or skills in a certain area of statistics, such as probability, statistical inference, or regression analysis. Courses are typically a few weeks or months long.

Certificates

Many universities offer beginner and advanced statistics certificates. These are helpful if you're just starting or want to specialize. Statistics courses for certification can range from one to six months.

Executive education programs

If you're a working professional, an online executive education program could help you build a statistics specialization. These one-to-two-month programs feature statistics courses like marketing analytics, data science, business risk management, financial management, and market investments.

Degrees

Consider earning a degree if you're interested in a comprehensive statistics education that can prepare you for most entry-level careers. Degrees offered include:

  • Bachelor of arts, which combines statistics courses with liberal arts electives.
  • Bachelor of science, which provides a math or science concentration.
  • Master's (MS) or doctorate (PhD), which is helpful for advanced studies or research.

Jobs in statistics

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