Impact of the New ASA Undergraduate Curriculum Guidelines on the Hiring of Future Undergraduates

• Activity Number: 12
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Sunday, August 9, 2015 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): Robert Alan Vierkant*
• Companies: Mayo Clinic
• Keywords: education ; curriculum ; applied statistics ; undergraduate

Abstract

The ASA last endorsed curriculum guidelines for programs offering undergraduate statistical degrees in 2000. Changes have occurred since then which have affected how consulting statisticians work. Demand has increased for individuals who can effectively communicate with non-statistical clients, design and analyze data appropriately, and produce clearly written reports. Employers are increasingly seeking individuals with real-world experience. Improved technology has increased the ability to collect and store vast amounts of data, creating a need for individuals with strong technical skills. As technology continues to evolve, so will the need for individuals who can easily adapt to different data structures, programming tools and analysis approaches.

Recognizing this, the ASA recently adopted new undergraduate curriculum guidelines which emphasize real-world data and examples, development of problem-solving skills, the ability to manipulate and analyze large data sources using a variety of tools, the integration of statistics programs with other disciplines, and opportunities to hone consulting skills. These changes will better prepare students for careers in applied statistics.