The M.A. in Mathematics provides advanced study for students with one or more of the following interests: a Ph.D. program in mathematics or mathematics education, teaching in high school or community college, or using mathematical analysis in government, business or industry. The M.A. program includes an Applied Mathematics Option, Teaching Option and Special Topics Option.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master’s degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions section in this catalog for complete information. In addition, applicants are admitted in conditionally classified standing with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better as undergraduate mathematics majors in all upper-division mathematics courses, or a combination of previous coursework and work experience approved as equivalent by the graduate committee of the Mathematics Department.
Classified Standing
A student’s status is changed to classified standing when the following requirements have been met:
Completion of all prerequisites and/or deficiencies, including the University Writing Requirement
Development of a study plan approved by the Mathematics Department and Academic Programs. The study plan should be developed prior to the completion of nine units
Each student will be required to take adviser-approved mathematics electives to meet the 30-unit requirement, and pass a set of four comprehensive exams. Comprehensive exams may be taken no more than twice.
Special Topics Option (30 units)
The Special Topics option requires a study plan approved by the graduate committee of the Mathematics Department. At least 16 units must be 500-level mathematics courses. Some of the 500-level courses may be accompanied by one unit of MATH 599. Students will also be required to pass a set of comprehensive exams or complete a six-unit project.
