Master of Arts in Mathematics

The Master of Arts offers students who hold a bachelor's degree in mathematics or a related field the opportunity to broaden their knowledge in mathematics fields and applications. The program prepares graduates for careers in teaching, business, industry and government, or for entering a Ph.D. mathematics program.

The master's degree in Mathematics is available through either a thesis or a nonthesis plan:

Thesis Plan

• 27 credit hours of coursework
• Six credits for the thesis (The thesis topic must be approved by all members of the student's graduate committee.)
• Oral presentation of the thesis results

Non-thesis Plan

• 33 hours of coursework
• Written graduate project (The nature of the project will be determined by the student's graduate committee.)

Master of Arts Examinations

The Master of Arts degree in mathematics requires the student to pass three comprehensive exams. Each exam is scheduled for approximately two hours. The topic of the exams are:

• Analysis
• Algebra or partial differential equations
• An area determined by the student and the graduate committee

B.S./M.A. Plan

The B.S./M.A. plan allows students to complete their B.S. and M.A. degrees in Mathematics in five years, possibly including two summer terms. Students may apply for the B.S./M.A. plan during the last semester of their junior year. As seniors, they will take a limited number of graduate courses along with any courses needed to complete the B.S. degree. They will apply for admission to the graduate program during the last semester of the senior year.

Contact Us

For more information about the graduate program in mathematics, please contact the graduate coordinator, Dr. Kristi Jarman at 575.562.2336.

For additional information about graduate admissions and applications, please contact the Graduate School at 575.562.2147.