Mathematics M.A.

Mathematics Major

The M.A. major in Mathematics is available in four emphases: Mathematics, Secondary Teaching, Community College Teaching, and Actuarial Science.

Only graduate courses (course numbers 5000 or above) will apply to a graduate degree, even if the undergraduate course number (4999 or less) is listed. No exceptions will be made.

The Mathematics emphasis is available on the thesis and non-thesis options. A minimum of 36 hours is required for the thesis option, including 6 hours of MATH 6299 and a minimum of 15 additional hours of 6000-level course work. A minimum of 33 hours is required for the non-thesis option, including a minimum of 3 hours of MATH 6299 and a minimum of 15 additional hours of 6000-level course work.

The Secondary Teaching emphasis is offered on a non-thesis option only; a minimum of 30 hours, including a minimum of 18 hours of 6000-level course work is required.

The Community College Teaching emphasis is offered on a non-thesis option only; a minimum of 30 hours, including a minimum of 15 hours of 6000-level course work is required.

The Actuarial Science emphasis is offered on a non-thesis option only; a minimum of 30 hours, including a minimum of 12 hours of 6000-level course work is required.

Students interested in this program must submit a completed Application for Admission to Graduate Study and should refer to their MyUNIverse Student Center To-Do list or contact the Department of Mathematics for other application requirements. Graduate information and application for graduate admission can be found at https://admissions.uni.edu/application.

The Graduate Record Examination (General Test) is not required for admission to the program.

Courses taken to satisfy B.A. requirements may not be repeated to count toward the graduate program.

Successful completion of a final written comprehensive examination is required for the non-thesis option on the Mathematics and Actuarial Science emphases only. 

Mathematics Emphasis

Secondary Teaching Emphasis

The Secondary Teaching emphasis is designed for secondary school mathematics teachers interested in developing a deeper background in mathematics and pedagogy to enhance teaching and increase student learning.

Community College Teaching Emphasis

The Community College Teaching emphasis is designed to serve those seeking to prepare for a career in community college teaching or working professionals in the field who are seeking career advancement.

Actuarial Science Emphasis

Learning Outcomes

Mathematics, M.A.

Goal 1. Graduates will be able to undertake advanced mathematical reasoning:

• Students will construct logically valid mathematical arguments;
• Students will apply information learned in one setting to different situations;
• Students will make connections between seemingly different concepts.

Goal 2. Graduates will be able to conduct independent work and develop new mathematical ideas:

• Students will demonstrate that they can work independently;
• Students will identify problems in their readings and to find ways to fix them;
• Students will create original method(s) for solving known problem(s) or find solution(s) to new problem(s) in their theses or culminating papers.

Goal 3. Graduates will be able to solve problems at the level of graduate mathematics:

• Students will use/apply research-level (advanced) methods used to solve problems in their theses or culminating papers;
• Students will solve problems in graduate courses. Department faculty will identify 1-2 problems on the final examinations to assess this goal.

Goal 4. Graduates will be able to comprehend and communicate advanced mathematics both orally and in writing:

• Students will clearly state the goal(s) of their theses or paper;
• Students will place the questions/problems they addressed in their theses or papers in context (history, literature review, etc);
• Students will describe in detail the method(s) they used to answer the questions/problems in their theses or papers;
• Students will demonstrate mastery of the subject matter covered in their theses by answering questions from the theses committees about the theses.

Related Programs

• Mathematics for the Elementary and Middle Grades (K-8) M.A.
• Mathematics B.A.