Master of Arts in Mathematics
"My best experience at Murray State University was to have faculty members who truly care about teaching. Unlike big research universities where the primary objective for most professors is to do research, math professors at Murray State University care about teaching and spend time making sure that each student is getting satisfactory understanding of course materials. I met so many wonderful professors at Murray State University, and it was the best place to pursue a master’s program."
The Master of Science and Master of Arts degrees are designed to provide students with the opportunity to study graduate level mathematics so that they may
- obtain preferred employment in mathematics with government or industry
- teach at the junior college level or be better prepared to teach at the secondary school level, or
- continue working toward a doctor of philosophy degree.
The Master of Arts program is a broadly based program which includes a study of algebra, analysis, topology, and the foundations of mathematics.
Degree Requirements:
All coursework must be approved by the department graduate committee. The student must complete two two-course sequences. If the student has not completed two semesters of advanced calculus then one of the sequences must be MAT 625-626. At most one of these sequences may be a completion of a sequence that was started as an undergraduate.
Thesis Requirements
Total Degree Requirements: 30 hours
- MAT 725 Integration Theory (3 hrs)
- MAT or STA courses, 600 or 700-level (21 hrs)
- MAT 798-799 Research and Thesis (6 hrs)
Other Degree Requirements
- Oral defense and examination of thesis
Non-Thesis Requirements
Total Degree Requirements: 30 hours
- MAT 725 Integration Theory (3 hrs)
- six hours chosen from
- MAT 716 Selected Topics in Topology
- MAT 721 Algebra
- MAT 722 Selected Topics in Algebra
- MAT 723 Selected Topics in Complex Analysis
- MAT 726 Real Function Theory
- MAT or STA courses, 600 or 700-level (21 hrs)
Other Degree Requirements
- Program of study must include
- MAT 614 Modern Algebra II or MAT 721 Algebra
- MAT 616 Introduction to Topology or MAT 716 Selected Topics in Topology
- Comprehensive examinations over coursework
Requirements for Admission:
Applicants must meet the Murray State University requirements (see Graduate Admissions). Additional requirements for unconditional and conditional admission to M.S. or M.A. programs are as follows:
Unconditional
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college with a major (or equivalent) in mathematics or a related field
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or above
- Minimal GPA of 3.0 in all mathematics courses beginning with the first calculus course
- Minimal GPA of 3.0 in all major courses
- If the major is in a related field (not mathematics), the student must have credit for three calculus courses (including a multivariable calculus course), a proof-based course, a matrix/linear algebra course, and a differential equations course.
Conditional
- Recommendation of the department graduate committee or a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college with a major in a related field and at least a 3.0 GPA in their major courses
- Credit for three calculus courses (including a multivariable calculus course), a proof based course, and a matrix/linear algebra course with a 3.0 GPA in all mathematics courses beginning with the last elementary calculus course
- GPA of 3.0 or above in all mathematics courses beginning with the last elementary calculus course
- Two letters of recommendation from college teachers addressing the candidate’s ability to do mathematics graduate work