MA Degree in Mathematics

The MA degree enables a serious study of Mathematics and/or Statistics at the graduate level. Alumni of this program are employed in the private and government sectors and as community college teachers. Others have gained admission to doctoral programs upon completion of their MA degree. Full time students generally finish the program within two years. All courses involve face-to-face meetings in small classes. Most courses are offered during the evening hours to accommodate the needs of part-time students.

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s

The integrated bachelor/master of arts in mathematics program is initiated while undergraduates are completing the BA or BS degree in mathematics and is intended for outstanding mathematics undergraduates. For this program, graduate student course work will begin in the students’ fourth year of undergraduate study and be completed with one academic year of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. It is anticipated that a full year of study beyond completion of undergraduate mathematics requirements will be required to complete this program. Mathematics students may apply to the program after completion of a minimum of 80 eligible undergraduate credit hours, and can begin taking graduate courses after completion of a minimum of 95 eligible undergraduate credit hours (120-124 credit hours are required for the bachelor’s degree in mathematics). Up to 9 credit hours of graduate courses may be counted towards completion of both the undergraduate degree and master’s degree. The minimum GPA at the time of admission and entry to the program is 3.5 in mathematics courses and 3.0 overall. Students are formally admitted to the master’s degree after all requirements for the undergraduate degree are completed.

Bachelors and Early Admission to Masters in Mathematics

Students working toward a bachelor’s degree in mathematics have the opportunity to gain early admission and complete the MA degree in two or three additional semesters of study. As seniors, they may be granted early admission (see link to “Six-hour Rule”) to the MA program and would be eligible to receive paid teaching assistantships upon becoming full-time graduate students. To be enrolled in the MA program as a senior, a student must be within 6 s.h. credit of completing all undergraduate degree requirements. These students are encouraged to begin research projects as undergraduates and take up to 6 s.h. of graduate classes in their senior year which may be applicable to the MA degree requirements. Graduate courses taken under the six hour rule do not double count toward completion of the undergraduate degree. Applications to the MA program should be submitted during the first semester of the senior year and must include GRE scores.

Program Structure and Degree Requirements

The MA in Mathematics comprises three concentrations: Mathematics, Statistics and Mathematics in the Community College Students complete 30-35 hours of coursework (10-12 courses) to satisfy the minimum requirements for this degree. Students in the Mathematics and Statistics concentrations either write a thesis (6 credit hours) or complete a research project (with an additional 9 credit hours of coursework) under the direction of a graduate faculty member. Students pursuing the Mathematics in the Community College concentration prepare a teaching portfolio under the direction of a faculty mentor (with an additional 9 credit hours of coursework) and give a presentation to an undergraduate audience. The program also requires a comprehensive exam and satisfaction of the Graduate School’s research skill requirement (demonstration of reading competency in a foreign language or completion of certain courses specific to the concentration). For a more detailed description of the program requirements and courses, please review the Mathematics section of the Graduate Catalog.

Dual Degrees with Economics

Students with a background in Economics may also consider doing a dual degree. By double-counting certain courses towards both degrees, the students may obtain both a MA in Mathematics and an MS in Applied and Resource Economics (see the College of Education for more on the Economics MS). Interested students should contact the graduate directors in Mathematics (choiju@ecu.edu) and Economics (bishopj@ecu.edu).

Course Offerings

Required courses for the Mathematics concentration cover Topology, Real and Complex Analysis, Modern and Linear Algebra. Required courses for the concentration in Mathematics in the Community College overlap these but also include Applied Statistics, Number Theory and Teaching Methodology. Required courses for the Statistics concentration cover Advanced Calculus, Matrix Algebra, Probability Theory, Applied Statistical Analysis, Statistical Design, Inference and Programming. Electives have also been added in Risk Management and Financial and Actuarial Mathematics designed to help students pass the corresponding actuarial exams.

Advising

All students are advised by the Director of Graduate Studies, who helps with course selection to tailor individual curricula.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in Mathematics, or its near equivalent, from an accredited four-year institution. The undergraduate transcript should include courses in Single and Multi-variable Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Modern Algebra and Statistics/Probability. Applicants lacking certain of these courses may be required to complete them as part of their curriculum. To qualify for regular admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.7 and a satisfactory score on the GRE or MAT. Additional requirements for international applicants may be found here.

Application Procedure

Applications are submitted to ECU’s Graduate School
A complete application includes:

Official transcripts from all schools where seven or more hours were earned.
A Statement of Purpose.
Three letters of recommendation.
An official score on the GRE General Test (or the MAT).
The GRE Subject Area test in Mathematics is not required.

Financial Support

Graduate Teaching Assistantships: Some students are awarded Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA’s). In addition to applicants who do not currently reside in North Carolina may receive a partial tuition remission which pays the difference between the in-state and out-of-state tuition rates (current in-state tuition rates may be found here). Currently, our assistantships pay $13,575 per academic year. Students with higher GPAs and test scores are eligible to receive an additional $4,000 pre academic year in the form of a Graduate Scholar Award. To apply for a GTA position, or for current information on the availability of support, please contact the Director of Graduate Studies.

Application Deadlines

Applications for admission during the fall semester should be made before June 1, though applications made after June 1 will still be considered. Applicants seeking financial support should apply by April 1 for full consideration. International Applicants should apply earlier to allow for necessary visa paperwork. Applications for admission during the spring semester should be made by October 15, though applications made after that date will still be considered.

The Area

East Carolina University is located in Greenville, North Carolina. It is a city of approximately 86,000, located about an hour-and-a-half east of Raleigh and about an hour-and-a-half from the Atlantic Ocean. More information on the Greenville area may be obtained by visiting the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce website.

Further Information

You can learn more about our faculty and programs from the Mathematics Department web site. Information on the GRE can be found on the web site for the Educational Testing Service.