With our master's degree program in mathematics, you have the benefit of experiencing our small class sizes, specialized and experienced faculty, and the flexibility of our program to focus on areas of mathematics that interest you the most.
The master's degree in mathematics prepares you for a career in the teaching profession or industry and provides a solid foundation in mathematics for a PhD program in any of the nation’s leading universities.
What It’s Like to Pursue a Master’s Degree in Mathematics at Ball State
Along your mathematical journey, you will be guided by faculty who are not only experts in their fields but are also committed to teaching and mentoring students. Our faculty members are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge and emphasize individual student attention.
The program is designed to take two years. Most graduate students take three courses at a time, although those with graduate assistantships frequently only take two courses.
When you enroll, you will be assigned a graduate advisor to plan a program that matches your background and your interests.
A graduate assistantship is a part-time job designed to benefit you professionally.
Assistantship compensation includes a majority waiver of tuition costs (some fees still apply) and a stipend.
Typical graduate assistant work assignments are class instructor, Learning Center tutor, computer lab assistant, or research assistant.
All graduate assistants must enroll for at least six but no more than 12 hours of graduate credit each semester.
Program Requirements
This program consists of 30-31 credits of graduate-level courses in algebra, analysis, mathematics electives, and your choice between a thesis and non-thesis degree option.
- Master of Arts – requires a three-credit research methods course
- Master of Science – requires a six-credit thesis
Students pursuing the thesis option must follow the departmental thesis guidelines (PDF).
For a complete list of all courses and their description, please see our Graduate Catalog.
View Catalog
Paying for Your Education
A graduate assistantship is an excellent opportunity to gain meaningful professional experience while helping cover the costs of your degree. Learn more.
Ready to Apply?
Are you interested in pursuing this degree? Then you will need to meet our admissions criteria and apply.
More Information
If you would like to learn more about this program or about Ball State’s Graduate School in general, please complete our online form to request more information. Or, if you’d like to speak with someone in our department directly by phone or email, please contact us.