Information for Students Considering a Master's Degree in Mathematics

First determine which program is appropriate for you.   The department has a graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Science in Mathematics. The degree has four options:

• the Master of Science in (pure) Mathematics,
  
• the Master of Science in Mathematics with Option in Applied Mathematics,
  
• the Master of Science in Mathematics with Option in Applied Statistics, (see also the Statistics Web site) and
  
• the Master of Science in Mathematics with Option in Mathematics Education for Secondary School Teachers, (click here for a power point presentation about this option)

Do you qualify?

Before you apply to your program, you must meet the following minimal requirements.  You should

• have competed all but at most one of the prerequisites for your program, and
  
• have a GPA of at least 2.5 in your last 90 quarter units or last 60 semester units of college level course work.

If you do not meet these requirements, you should contact the advisor for your program to discuss ways in which you can still meet your goals. Students who do not qualify to apply immediately are often directed to Open University, a program though which people not enrolled as students can take courses at CSULB. Before enrolling, seek advice from your program's advisor.

Types of admission:

Look at the prerequisite worksheet for your program.

• Pure Mathematics Prerequisite Worksheet
• Applied Mathematics Prerequisite Worksheet
• Applied Statistics Prerequisite Worksheet

If you qualify for your program and have a strong background, particularly in the prerequisite courses, you will be admitted to the program unconditionally.  If you qualify, but have a weak background, such as a GPA below 3.0, C's in the important prerequisite courses, or a missing prerequisite, you may be admitted to the program conditionally.  The conditions that must be met to make your status unconditional vary from student to student, but may include making up missing prerequisites, or retaking prerequisites in which you received low grades.

How to apply:

To apply for admission to a graduate program in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, you must apply to the department and to the university.

• To apply to the department, send the following materials to the Graduate Advisor:
  • complete college transcripts (not necessarily official)
  • the appropriate Prerequisite Worksheet:
    
  • Pure Mathematics Prerequisite Worksheet
  • Applied Mathematics Prerequisite Worksheet;
  • Applied Statistics Prerequisite Worksheet.
• To apply to the university, visit the following web site and follow the instructions.  This involves filing an application on-line, paying a fee and submitting official transcripts to the university.  Note that you will submit two sets of transcripts, an official set to the university and an unofficial set to the department.
  
• University Graduate Admissions Page
  

Application Deadlines:

June 1 for admission in Fall semesters
December 1 for admission in Spring semesters