These degrees are intended for students who intend to eventually pursue a Ph.D. or become research statisticians. Those students interested in working in business, government or industry as applied statisticians are encouraged to enroll in the M.S. Statistics program.

Students completing this program will earn either the M.A. or M.S. degree in mathematics (PDF) and must meet all requirements for that degree.

Entering students who have not already had courses in linear algebra (at the level of Math 129A at SJSU) and analysis (at the level of Math 131A at SJSU) will be required to take such courses as a part of their degree program.

Admission Requirement

1. Admission to the Graduate Division.
2. International students must have achieved a score of at least 80 on the TOEFL iBT exam (or an approved score on the IELTS or PTE. There is no waiver of this requirement).
3. Completion of at least 18 semester units of upper division mathematics for the M.A. (at least 24 for the M.S.) with a grade point average of at least a 3.0. The courses taken must be acceptable toward a bachelor's degree in mathematics.
4. Letters of recommendation (1-3), sent directly to the Mathematics Graduate coordinator at the address below (to the Department of Mathematics).

Students who meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate Division but do not meet the requirements for admission to the master's degree program may be admitted as Conditionally Classified students.

See Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluation for information on the application procedure.

Course Requirements

A total of 30 semester units (usually 10 courses) of coursework are required for this degree:

Math 129B, Linear algebra II
Math 131B, Introduction to Real Variables
Math 163, Probability Theory
Math 164, Mathematical Statistics
Math 231A, Real Analysis
Math 261A, Regression Theory and Methods
Math 261B, Design and Analysis of Experiments
Math 298, Special Study (Writing Project)
or Math 299, Thesis
Electives chosen with the consent of the Mathematics Graduate Advisor and/or the Statistics Graduate Advisor, to bring the total number of units in the program to 30 semester units.

Notes on course and degree requirements

1. M.A. Mathematics program students must have a total of at least 15 units (5 courses) of 200-level courses. M.S. Mathematics program students must have a total of at least 21 units (7 courses) of 200-level courses.
2. Students who have previously taken courses in the required list above will be allowed to substitute appropriate approved coursework.
3. Elective and substitute courses must be approved in advance of registration on an individual basis, and approval is dependent upon the student's background and career goals. A listing of suggested/possible electives may be found on the statistics masters electives web page.

Applying for Graduation

Students must pass a qualifying examinations on fundamental ideas in statistics that are related to the potential thesis or writing project. Courses to be covered will be chosen in consultation with the student's chosen thesis/writing project advisor. Note: students must pass the qualifying exam before they begin their formal thesis work.

With the aid of the Graduate Coordinator, students must complete and file the Departmental Request for Candidacy and Graduate Degree Program form with Graduate Studies before the posted deadline (usually 8 months before proposed graduation date). Students must file the Application for Award of Master's Degree form before posted deadline (usually 3 months before the proposed graduation date). These forms, and the precise deadlines, are available at the office of graduate studies and research.

Further information on requirements and restrictions are available in the document M.A. or M.S. degree in mathematics (PDF) as well as on the Department of Mathematics web page and in the university catalog.

 

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Department of Mathematics, One Washington Square, San José, CA 95192-0103
Office:  308 MacQuarrie Hall  *  Hours:  M-F 8:30-12:30pm, 1:30-5:00pm
Phone: 408-924-5100  *  Fax: 408-924-5080