Mathematics, Master of Science (M.S.)

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

Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies, applicants who wish to pursue master 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. Additionally, the department may require a student to pass an entrance exam in the required core subject areas.

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 15 semesters hours of core course work in Real Analysis I (MATH 530), Discrete Mathematics (MATH 510), Optimization Theory (MATH 592), Linear Algebra (MATH 525), and Differential Equations (MATH 548).
2. The candidates must successfully complete the requirements in either a non-thesis option or thesis option track:

Non-thesis option: In addition to the core courses, candidates in the non-thesis option track must successfully complete four elective courses and complete the independent research course, MATH 597 - Master's Project. 

Thesis option: In addition to the core courses, candidates in the thesis option track must successfully complete three 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

In order to qualify for a Master of Science Degree in Mathematics, mathematics education concentration with emphases in curriculum and instruction for secondary teacher concentration:

1. The candidate must successfully complete at least 33 semester hours of course work, including 15 credits of core courses in MATH 510, MATH 525, MATH 530, MATH 548, MATH 592; Three (3) required core courses in Professional Education: EDUC 501: Foundations of Education, EDUC 513: Educational Research and STAT 520: Advanced Statistical Methods in Educational Research; and Two (2) required courses in Mathematics Education: MAED 562: Curriculum, Instruction & Research in Mathematics Education I and MAED 563: Curriculum, Instruction & Research in Mathematics Education II. (To obtain teacher licensure, candidates must complete MATH 581, totaling 36 credits for the master program.)
2. The candidate must complete MAED 592: Research and Thesis, by writing a thesis on a research topic chosen by the candidate and approved by the candidate's advisor.

In order to qualify for a Master of Science Degree in Mathematics, mathematics education concentration with emphases in curriculum and instruction for K-8 Mathematics Specialists Concentration:

1. The candidate must successfully complete at least 33 semester hours of course work, including 15 credits of core courses in MATH 510, MATH 525, MATH 530, MATH 548, MATH 592; Three (3) required core courses in Professional Education: EDUC 501: Foundations of Education, EDUC 513: Educational Research and STAT 520: Advanced Statistical Methods in Educational Research; One (1) Required course in Mathematics education: MAED 562: Curriculum, Instruction & Research in Mathematics Education I; and One (1) required course in Professionals Education: EDAS 591: Instructional Leadership.
2. The candidate must complete MAED 592: Research and Thesis, by writing a thesis on a research topic chosen by the candidate and approved by the candidate's advisor.

Algebra Add-On Endorsement

Endorsement Requirements

The candidate shall have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a teaching area and either:

a. Completed an approved teacher preparation program in Algebra I; or 
​b. Completed 6 semester hours that include coursework in each of the following areas:

1. Elementary Functions,
2. Introductory College Algebra,
3. Trigonometry, and
4. Linear Algebra

** 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.