The Master of Arts in Mathematics (MA) degree can be completed entirely online. To obtain this degree, a student needs to pass 11 courses with a GPA of 3.0 or better. One of these courses is the tutorial course Math 6315. At least seven of the other courses are online mathematics courses at the 5000 level. The other three courses may be online mathematics courses at the 5000 level or other elective courses such as those in the mathematics education graduate program.

The time taken to complete this degree depends on individual preference and the number of courses taken in any particular semester. Every summer a large selection of 5000 level courses is available. The program can be completed comfortably in 2 years, and it must be completed in no more than 5 years. For more detailed descriptions of these requirements including a list of 5000 level mathematics courses, please read below.

Note: Due to University and Federal regulations, admission to this program is available only to US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents. 

Introduction

The Master of Arts Program in Mathematics was established in 2002.  Classes in this program were first offered in Fall 2003. The primary purpose of the program is to prepare students to teach mathematics at the secondary school and junior/community college levels. The program also provides advanced degree credentials for teachers who wish to take on supervisory positions in mathematics or in mathematics administration. 

Format

All of the courses in the program are offered online, and the entire program can be completed in that format.  It is also possible to take approved on-campus courses as alternatives to online courses. There is a regular schedule of online (asynchronous) classes each semester, including the summer sessions.  As a result, there is little difficulty in combining a full-time teaching or work position with the program’s course work.

Prerequisites For Admission

To be admitted to the program, a student must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA over the last 60 hours of course work, and should have a solid background in mathematics. A student need not have majored in mathematics to be admitted. However, it is expected that the student has completed a standard 3-semester calculus sequence and at least 3 additional mathematics courses at the junior or senior level, preferably in courses such as abstract algebra, linear algebra, advanced calculus, differential equations, or geometry.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is waived for all Masters programs within the Department of Mathematics.

Program Description

The program requires 33 semester hours of course work including:

• A minimum of 21 semester hours in mathematics.

• Completion of at least one course in each of the groups: Algebra, Analysis, Probability & Statistics, and Applied Mathematics. See below for a list of the course groups, as well as course descriptions.

• A 3-semester hour Master’s tutorial.
  • In order to enroll in a Master's Tutorial course 6315 and satisfy the Tutorial requirement, students should first contact one of the instructors who previously taught classes in the MA program and request to take the Tutorial course with him/her. If the instructor agrees, they will assign a project and provide the course section number so that student is able to enroll into the course. If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Gary Etgen or the Director of Graduate Studies.

• A maximum of 9 semester hours of approved elective course work can be taken from other departments.
  • We will not automatically accept for elective credit courses taken in any other College or department.  For a course to be acceptable in the MA program, it must have some mathematical content.  Students must fill out a petition in advance requesting that a particular course be approved for elective credit in the MA program. Some details such as syllabus or topics covered should be attached. Students must fill out the Graduate General Petition form  and submit it for approval to the graduate advisor.

The approximate cost of this program can be calculated using the UH tuition calculator.

Course Groups

1. Algebra Courses MATH 5330: Abstract Algebra
   • MATH 5331: Linear Algebra
   • MATH 5336: Discrete Mathematics
   • MATH 5383: Number Theory
2. Analysis Courses
   • MATH 5333: Analysis
   • MATH 5350: Introduction to Differential Geometry
   • MATH 5334: Complex Analysis
   • MATH 53XX: Analysis II
3. Probability & Statistics
   •  MATH 5382: Probability
   • MATH 5385: Statistics
   • MATH 5386: Regression Analysis
4. Applied Mathematics
   • MATH 5332: Differential Equations
   • MATH 5341: Mathematical Modeling
   • MATH 5344: Scientific Computing with Excel
5. Other Courses
   • MATH 5310: History of Mathematics
   • MATH 5379: Axiomatic Geometry
   • MATH 5389: Survey of Mathematics

Contacts: 

Garry Etgen, PhD., Professor and Program Scientific Advisor

Note: The correct designation for degrees on the transcript, will be denoted as: Mathematics, M.A.