Master of Arts Degree

The Master of Arts degree in Mathematics is offered by the Department of Mathematics. This is a two-year program designed to prepare students for positions in industry, government agencies, or business, for further graduate study at the doctoral level, and for teaching positions at the secondary or two year college level.

NOTE: An area of emphasis in mathematics, Math through Algebra I, is offered by the M.A. degree programs in Elementary Education and Secondary Education. These programs, which are offered through the College of Education and the Graduate School of Education and Professional Development, are intended to meet the needs of public school teachers (K-12).

Admission Requirements

Applicants should follow the admissions process described in the Graduate Catalog, or at the Graduate Admissions website: Admissions Requirements. Additional information is available about international admissions.

In addition:

  • Applicants must also submit GRE scores to Graduate Admissions. The scores are considered when awarding graduate assistantships and during initial advising.
  • To ensure full consideration for admission, applicants must submit duly completed applications, including all required admission credentials to the Graduate Admissions Office at least two weeks before the beginning of the upcoming semester.
  • Applicants wishing to be considered for the Graduate/Teaching Assistantship are advised to have all required credentials submitted by May 15 for the fall semester and by November 15, if admission is for the spring semester.

Degree Requirements

A Plan of Study approved by the department/program and the graduate dean must be filed in the Graduate College office before the student registers for the 12th semester hour.

For graduation, a student is required to pass at least 36 approved credit hours, of which 18 credit hours must be at the 600 level. These 18 credit hours may include Special Topics, but neither Thesis nor Independent Study. A maximum of 6 credit hours of Thesis shall count toward the 36-hour requirement. Students must pass or be exempted from each of MTH 528 (Advanced Calculus II), MTH 546 (Probability and Statistics II), and MTH 552 (Modern Algebra II). Students may choose either to write and defend an acceptable thesis or pass a comprehensive oral examination. Teaching Assistant Seminar hours do not count toward graduation.

The specific coursework requirements for the program are:

  • 18 credit hours of 600-level courses, excluding Thesis and Independent Study.
  • 18 additional credit hours at the 500-level or higher, which will include MTH 528, 546, and 552 unless exempted. These additional credit hours may also include an optional 6 credit hours at the 500-level or higher from another department at Marshall offering a graduate program as a minor.

Comprehensive Oral Exam: With the approval of the Assistant Chair for Graduate Studies, the student will select three graduate courses at the 600 level demonstrating a depth of knowledge in those areas of mathematics. The student will select, with the approval of the Assistant Chair for Graduate Studies, a committee consisting of three faculty members. The chairman of the Oral Examination Committee must have the level of Graduate Faculty Status as determined by the Graduate College.

Assistantships and Financial Support

Applicants wishing to be considered for the Graduate/Teaching Assistantship must submit a separate application form to the Assistant Chair for Graduate Studies. This application can be obtained from the Department of Mathematics or from the following link: Mathematics GA Application. The application must be accompanied by three letters of reference and a personal statement.

For complete information on graduate assistantships please see http://muwww-new.marshall.edu/graduate/graduate-assistantships-2/graduate-assistantship-overview/.

Minor in Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics also offers a minor in mathematics. A minor is earned by taking at least 6 credit hours in courses at the 500- or 600- level in Mathematics as approved by the student's advisor and the Assistant Chair for Graduate Studies.

Contact Information

Dr. Peter Saveliev
Professor and Assistant Chair for Graduate Studies
Division of Mathematics
One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755-2560
304.696.3285

Department website: http://www.marshall.edu/math/

 
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