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New Mexico State University
College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Mathematical Sciences

Master of Science

A student's program of study for the Master's degree must be a coordinated program that emphasizes one area of study or that prepares a student for further graduate work. Possible areas of study in the department are pure mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, and mathematics education.

The program takes approximately two years to complete.

A candidate for a Master’s degree may select up to two minors in addition to the major. A minimum of 8 credits of graduate work is necessary for a minor.

Minimum Requirements for the Master’s Degree

  1. In fulfillment of the Graduate School requirement of a minimum of 30 semester credits of course work the student must take at least 24 credits of mathematics or statistics, 15 of which must be in courses numbered above 529. At most 6 credits of individual study courses such as MATH 540 or STAT 540 may be used to fulfill the course requirement
  2. The student must complete, transfer, or challenge MATH 525, MATH 527, MATH 528, and MATH 581.
  3. MATH 459 may not be used to fulfill any of these requirements.
  4. The student’s program of study must be approved by the departmental Graduate Studies Committee.
  5. The student must successfully complete a final master's examination.

The Master's Exam

The final examination is an oral examination administered by the student's committee, which consists of at least three departmental members, a representative from a related area, and a dean's representative. The candidate and his or her adviser usually suggest departmental and related area members for the committee, to be approved by the graduate committee, the head of the department and the graduate dean. The examination is restricted to the course work presented in the student's program of studies. The exam must be completed at least 10 days prior to the end of the semester in which the candidate wishes to receive the degree.