Survey Methodology (SURV)

Abstract

The Survey Methodology Program blends together faculty with diverse disciplinary backgrounds, all devoted to teaching state-of-the-art practices in the statistical and methodological aspects of surveys. The program's faculty come primarily from the University of Maryland, University of Michigan, and Westat, supplemented by instructors from a number of federal statistical agencies.

SURV offers a Master of Science in Survey Methodology and a Ph. D. in Survey Methodology. Both degree programs have two areas of concentration: Statistical Science and Social Science. The statistical science concentration is designed for students who wish to specialize in areas such as sample design, estimation in complex samples, variance estimation, statistical measurement error models, and statistical adjustments for missing data. The social science concentration is designed for students who wish to specialize in areas such as questionnaire design, design of interviewing systems, computer assisted data collection, modes of data collection, cognitive psychological applications to survey measurement, and nonsampling error reduction. SURV also offers two certificate programs.

Admissions Information

Applicants to the M.S. program are expected to hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum of a "B" average. Post-baccalaureate coursework and relevant work experience will also be used in the application evaluation. The GRE examination is required. Entry to the statistical science concentration requires three undergraduate courses in calculus, one in linear algebra, and one in statistics. Entry to the social science concentration requires two undergraduate quantitative courses, at least one of which is in statistics, and at least two undergraduate courses in the social sciences.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program are expected to have a graduate degree in some field (such as statistics or psychology) that is related to survey methodology. Applicants must also demonstrate an appropriate quantitative background. The GRE examination is required.

Application Deadlines

Fall

Spring

Domestic Applicants:
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Domestic Applicant Deadlines

Applications must be received by January 15 .

This program does not accept applications for this semester.

International Applicants:
Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials

IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.

Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas

February 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1

June 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants

May 1
If Domestic Deadline is after May 1

October 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials

May 15
If Domestic Deadline is after May 15

October 31
If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Application Requirements

GRE General required for all applicants
3 Letters of Recommendation
Essay

	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Domestic Applicant Deadlines	Applications must be received by January 15 .	This program does not accept applications for this semester.

International Applicants: Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas	February 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1	June 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants	May 1 If Domestic Deadline is after May 1	October 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials	May 15 If Domestic Deadline is after May 15	October 31 If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Degree Requirements

Master of Science (M.S.)
SURV offers a non-thesis program, however students in both the statistical science and social science concentrations must fulfill a research experience requirement, yielding a scholarly paper. This paper must be the result of either original research conducted by the student, critical analysis, or evaluation of existing surveys.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
There are five major requirements for the Ph.D. Students must pass a qualifying examination (normally at the end of their first year) and a comprehensive examination (normally at the end of their second year). They must participate in the Ph.D. seminar for four semesters. They must meet a residency requirement. Finally, they must complete a dissertation.

Facilities and Special Resources

SURV has the goal of offering training to all qualified students, regardless of the employment sector of interest to them. Several features of the program are designed with the working student in mind. Many class times are tailored to be compatible with the work day; a 12-month curriculum offers core courses throughout the year; and research experience requirements are integrated with work activities.

Courses have been offered at a Federal agency facility located in Washington, D.C. and interactive 2-way audio/video transmission equipment is used to transmit some courses between the College Park campus and the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan,also - between College Park and the Census headquarters in Suitland, MD.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available in the form of competitive fellowships and graduate assistantships for teaching or research.

Contact Information

For more information, contact: Rupa Jethwa Eapen (RJEapen@Survey.Umd.Edu).

Rupa Jethwa Eapen, Assistant to the Director
1218 LeFrak Hall
MD 20742
Telephone: (301) 314-7911
survgrad@deans.umd.edu

http://www.jpsm.umd.edu/