Mathematics, AM

Master's Candidacy

To earn a master’s degree at Washington University, a student must complete all courses required by their department; maintain satisfactory academic progress; fulfill all academic and residence requirements; and file an Intent to Graduate. For a general layout of master’s degree general requirements in Arts & Sciences, including an explanation of Satisfactory Academic Progress, students should review the Master’s Degree Academic Information page of the Arts & Sciences Bulletin.

Master of Arts in Mathematics

  • Total Units Required: 36 credits (with or without thesis)
  • Degree Length: minimum one academic year
    • Note: Students must be enrolled in 9 graduate credits each semester to retain full-time status. As students complete their course work, if enrolled in fewer than 9 graduate credits, they must enroll in a specific Arts & Sciences graduate course that will show 0 units but does count as full-time status. Students should connect with their department to ensure proper enrollment prior to Add/Drop.

General requirements: There are 36 units of graduate-level course work required, with or without a thesis; 6 units may be for thesis research. The minimum residence requirement is one full academic year of graduate study. If the department consents, a student may transfer up to 6 units from other universities. A grade point average of B (3.0) or better must be maintained in graduate course work.

Thesis Requirements/Details

To be eligible for the thesis option, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above in the first two semesters (or 18 units) of course work satisfying the program requirements. A maximum of 3 units may be used for thesis research.

Required Courses

Course requirements: There are four basic graduate course sequences in pure mathematics:

Math 5021
& Math 5022		Complex Analysis I
and Complex Analysis II		6
Math 5031
& Math 5032		Algebra I
and Algebra II		6
Math 5045
& Math 5046		Geometry/Topology I: Algebraic Topology
and Geometry/Topology II: Differential Topology		3-6
or Math 5047 Geometry/Topology III: Differential Geometry
Math 5051
& Math 5052		Measure Theory and Functional Analysis I
and Measure Theory and Functional Analysis II		6

A candidate for the AM in Mathematics must include two of these sequences (12 units) in the required 36 units. Each student, in consultation with their advisor, selects the remaining 24 units according to the student's interests and needs.

Visit the Mathematics page
for additional information about this program.

Contact Info

Phone:314-935-6760
Website:https://math.wustl.edu/graduate