The areas of study available in the Mathematics & Economics Department lead to the Master of Science in or Mathematics and Master of Arts in Economics. The MS degree program in Mathematics now has two (2) general concentrations: Mathematics and Mathematics Education. In the Mathematics Concentration, there are two (2) specialties: Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.  In the Mathematics Education Concentration, there are also two (2) specialties: Curriculum and Instruction for Secondary Teachers and Curriculum and Instruction for K-8 Mathematics Specialists.                     

Mathematics

Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies, applicants who wish to pursue a masters degree in the Department of Mathematics must have an undergraduate degree in mathematics or at least 30 undergraduate semester credits hours in mathematical sciences or closely-related field with at least 18 of these credits in upper-level mathematics beyond Calculus.

Program Requirements

The Master of Science in Mathematics has two areas of specialty: Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. The Pure Mathematics includes the areas of Algebra, Analysis and Combinatorics. The Applied Mathematics specialty includes the areas of Computational Mathematics and Statistics.

In order to qualify for a Master of Science Degree in Mathematics:

1. The candidate must successfully complete 12 semesters hours of core course work in Real Analysis I (MATH 530), Algebra I (MATH 520), Numerical Analysis (MATH 540), and Discrete Mathematics (MATH 510).
2. The candidates must successfully complete the requirements in either a non-thesis option or thesis option track.
   1. Non-thesis option: In addition to the four core courses, candidates in the non-thesis option track must successfully complete six elective courses and pass a comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination will be based on the material covered in the four core courses.  
   2. Thesis option: In addition to the four core courses, candidates in the thesis option track must successfully complete four elective courses and must complete two semesters of MATH 599 – Research and Thesis course in accordance with the policy stated in the University’s graduate catalog by writing a master’s thesis on research topic chosen by the candidate and approved by the candidate’s advisor.

Mathematics Education Concentration

Admission Requirements

The focus of the concentration in mathematics education is mathematical content with specific application to modern paradigms in curriculum and instruction.  For admission to the program leading to the Master of Science degree in Mathematics with a concentration in mathematics education, the applicant must meet one of the following requirements:

1. For emphasis in secondary school mathematics, the applicant must either possess a Virginia teaching license in secondary (6 – 12) mathematics or be eligible for one.   
2. For emphasis in the K – 8 Mathematics Specialists endorsement, the applicant must possess a Virginia teaching license in the elementary or middle grades.  If the applicant is licensed at the middle school level, the teaching of mathematics must be their primary responsibility.

Program Requirements

** Restricted Electives - Students who complete a Thesis must select 9 credit hours of restricted electives.  Students who select the Comprehensive Exam must take 15 credit hours of restricted electives.