Graduate Programs and JUMP Overview
Our department offers two different graduate degrees. Below is a general overview of each program and links to the Graduate Catalog which contains specific program requirements and other important information.
MS, Mathematics
Overview: The M.S. in Mathematics offers three concentrations: General Mathematics, Computational Mathematics, and Mathematical Economics, but has a core set of courses in applied mathematics, discrete mathematics, and statistics required for all students. The General Mathematics concentration is recommended for students who wish to obtain a Ph.D. degree, to teach in a community college, or to seek employment in industry with an emphasis on conceptual foundations. The Computational Mathematics concentration is designed for students seeking employment in industry with an emphasis on computational mathematics and/or computer science in addition to knowledge in traditional areas. The Mathematical Economics concentration is designed for students seeking employment in industry with an emphasis on economics in addition to knowledge in traditional areas. It is also designed for students who completed an undergraduate degree program in mathematical economics at WKU.
Joint Undergraduate – Master’s Program (JUMP)
Overview: The Department of Mathematics offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree and a graduate Master of Science degree in an accelerated timeframe. The MS in Mathematics prepares students to be competitive applicants for admission into a Ph.D. program and/or for positions where strong research skills are needed.
This JUMP program allows students to start working toward their MS in Mathematics with a concentration in General Mathematics, Computational Mathematics, or Mathematical Economics (Ref: 085) while completing their Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics (Ref: 528 and 728) or a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematical Economics (Ref: 731). Undergraduate students admitted into JUMP may take graduate courses that count toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Up to 12 credit hours can be double-counted toward both degrees, and up to 15 hours of graduate courses can be taken while a student is completing the undergraduate degree. The key benefit of the JUMP program is that it allows students to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in an accelerated timeframe.
To be considered for admission to the JUMP program to earn a BA in Mathematics (or a BS in Mathematical Economics) and a MS in Mathematics in an accelerated timeframe, a student must meet the following requirements:
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- Be a Mathematics or a Mathematical Economics major (includes programs with reference numbers 528, 728, and 731);
- Have completed at least 60 hours total, with at least 24 hours earned at WKU;
- Have at least 15 or more credit hours remaining to complete the bachelor’s degree;
- Have completed or be enrolled in 15 credit hours in Mathematics;
- Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25;
- Have one of the following:
- 3.25 GPA in the Mathematics or Mathematical Economics major AND a grade of B or higher in at least one of the courses: MATH 307, MATH 310, MATH 317, MATH 337, MATH 439;
- 3.0 GPA in the Mathematics or Mathematical Economics major AND a grade of B or higher in at least two of the courses: MATH 307, MATH 310, MATH 317, MATH 337, MATH 439.
MA, Mathematics
Overview: This online program is intended for students who are secondary teachers who already hold teacher certification and are seeking rank change through earning a Master's degree. In addition, completion of this degree program would qualify the classroom teacher to teach dual credit mathematics courses at the high school level, teach at a community college or technical school, or pursue a PhD/EdD in mathematics education. This degree does not provide initial teacher certification or prepare a student for a PhD in mathematics. Comprehensive exams are required (click link below).
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