To earn a master’s degree at Washington University, a student must complete all courses required by their department; maintain satisfactory academic progress; pass certain examinations; fulfill all academic and residence requirements; and apply for program completion (graduation) via Workday Student.

For the details 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.

Program Requirements

  • 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.
  • Grade Requirement: A grade point average of B (3.0) or better must be maintained in graduate coursework.

There are 36 units of graduate-level coursework 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 and the request is approved by the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences, a student may transfer up to 6 units from other universities. 

Required Courses

There are four basic graduate course sequences in pure mathematics:

MATH 5121
& MATH 5122		Complex Analysis I
and Complex Analysis II		6
MATH 5331
& MATH 5332		Algebra I
and Algebra II		6
MATH 5221
& MATH 5222		Geometry/Topology I: Algebraic Topology
and Geometry/Topology II: Differential Topology		3-6
or MATH 5223 Geometry/Topology III: Differential Geometry
MATH 5151
& MATH 5152		Measure Theory and Functional Analysis I
and Measure Theory and Functional Analysis II		6

A candidate for the MA 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.

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 6 units may be used for thesis research.

  • A Title, Scope, & Procedure form for the master’s thesis must be signed by the thesis committee members and by the program chair. It must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences, at least six months before the degree is expected to be conferred.
  • A Master’s Thesis Guide and a Thesis Template that give instructions regarding the format of the thesis are available on the website of the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences. Both should be read carefully at every stage of thesis preparation.

Visit the Mathematics page
for additional information about this program.

Contact Info

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