Master’s Degrees

The M.S. degree is essentially a transition to a doctoral program in the mathematical sciences. The M.S. degree and the M.S.T. degree can be completed with only course work; a Thesis or Project is optional. However, all the programs are designed to meet academic requirements for students who are interested in seeking degrees beyond the master or specialist level.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to any of the Master’s degree program in mathematics requires at least 15 semester hours of undergraduate mathematics above the regular calculus sequence and the fulfillment of the admission requirement into graduate studies at Jackson State University, which is an earned Bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4.0 scale in all undergraduate courses taken at a regional accredited degree granting institution. GRE is not required for admission into any of the Master's degree programs. However, students who are seeking to pursue the doctoral degree are encouraged to take the GRE exams, general and subject area, to increase their chances for competitive admission and financial assistance. These exams can be taken while students are taking courses or after they have completed all coursework.

Master of Science in Mathematics

The department offers programs leading to the M.S. degree in Pure or Applied Mathematics for students who plan on pursuing the doctoral degree or wish to seek careers in college or university teaching, government, industry and the business sector. The programs are designed for persons with adequate background in undergraduate mathematics beyond the calculus sequence. 

To receive the M.S. degree a student must be in residence at Jackson State University for at least one semester, complete all degree requirements and must take and pass the Graduate English Competency Exam. If a student's GPA upon completion of all coursework is below 3.33, then such a student is required to take and score at least 70% on a comprehensive exit exam given by the Department.

The requirements for the M.S. degree are:

1. Thirty-six (36) hours are required with a thesis, or thirty-three (33) hours with a project, or thirty-six (36) hours of course work with a score of 70% on an area comprehensive exam.
2. A "B" average with no more than one "C" grade is required for graduation.
3. Pass the Graduate English Competency Exam.

 ¹ A student electing the thesis option, will fulfill the remaining 12 hours from mathematics electives drawn from a list of pure or applied mathematics courses to match his/her area of concentration.

A student electing the thesis option, will fulfill the remaining 12 hours from mathematics electives drawn from a list of pure or applied mathematics courses to match his/her area of concentration. Courses are offered each semester to match each enrolled student's interest. In consultation with an advisor and the Chairperson of the Department, a student must develop a study plan and select sufficient electives from departmental courses to complete degree requirements with a concentration in either pure or applied mathematics. See the list of departmental courses below. A typical study plan for a student with a concentration in applied mathematics who is seeking to pursue a doctoral degree would look like this:

¹

Approved Mathematics Electives: MATH 514, MATH 531, MATH 532, MATH 537, MATH 542, MATH 577, and MAT 597 

²

A student electing the non-thesis option must enroll in a course from the approved mathematics electives.