Graduate Programs

The Mathematics department offers a Master of Science degree with three options: Pure Mathematics (Option I), Applied Mathematics (Option II) and Statistics (Option III). Each option prepares a student for further graduate work, higher mathematical work in industry, business and government, and community college teaching.

Why CSUN?

 

  • Our thesis requirement provides research opportunities. Since 2015, we have had a total of 53 student co-authored research publications.
  • Master’s students may take elective courses in CSUN’s Data Science minor.
  • All master’s level courses are offered in the late afternoon and evening to accommodate working students.

Our Alumni:

Academia

From 2015-2025, a total of 25 students were accepted to Ph.D. programs, including: UCLA, USC, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, University of Texas, Duke, Notre Dame, Technische Berlin, Michigan State, University of Georgia, Oregon State University, University of Nebraska

Business & Industry

A variety of non-academic employers, including: Los Angeles Dodgers, Spotter, Farmer’s Insurance, LADWP, SoCal Gas, Oliver Wyman, Mutual of Omaha, National Bank of Canada, Sketchers

Teaching

At many local community colleges, including: Santa Monica College, College of the Canyons, Moorpark College, Ventura College

Financial Support

  • Teaching Associate (TA) positions are available to qualified graduate students. You may apply for a TA position by indicating your interest on our departmental application (see below).
  • A limited number of tuition fee waivers are available to qualified current and incoming Teaching Associates. APPLY EARLY!

 

1. Required Core (15 units)

 MATH 501 Topology (3 units, offered every Fall)

 MATH 552 Real Analysis (3 units, offered every Spring)

 Analytic Foundations (3 units) Select one of the following courses:

  • MATH 541 Theoretical Statistical Inference (3 units, Fall) ***
  • MATH 550 Calculus on Manifolds (3 units, Fall) *
  • MATH 592A Topics in Applied Mathematics (3 units, Spring) **

 Linear/Algebraic Methods (3 units) Select one of the following courses:

  • MATH 540 Regression Analysis (3 units, Spring) ***
  • MATH 560 Abstract Algebra III (3 units, Spring) *
  • MATH 581 Numerical Methods for Linear Systems (3 units, Spring) **

Advanced Analytic Methods (3 units) Select one of the following courses:

  • MATH 543 Multivariate Statistics (3 units, Fall) ***
  • MATH 582A Topics in Numerical Analysis (3 units, Fall) ** 
  • MATH 655 Complex Analysis (3 units, Spring) *

* Students in Option I will normally take MATH 550, MATH 560 and MATH 655.

** Students in Option II will normally take MATH 581, MATH 582A and MATH 592A.

*** Students in Option III will normally take MATH 540, MATH 541 and MATH 543.


2. Electives (15 units)

 Elective units should support the program of study and be selected in consultation with the graduate coordinator. Up to 9 units may be taken in departments outside of Mathematics with prior approval of the Graduate Committee. A maximum of 9 units of 400-level courses may be applied toward the 31 unit degree.


3. Culminating Experience (1 unit)

 Choose one of:

  • MATH 697A Directed Comprehensive Studies (1)
  • MATH 698A Thesis or Graduate Project (1) 

Total Units Required for the M.S. Degree: 31

Comprehensive Exam or Master’s Thesis: 

For their Culminating Experience, a student must successfully complete one of the following:

Comprehensive Examination: This two-part examination will be based on the students’ required courses. Students in Option I must take Algebra and either Analysis I or Analysis II. Students in Option II must take Analysis I and one other exam excluding algebra. Students in Option III must take Probability/Statistics and Analysis I.

Comprehensive exams are given in the following areas:

  • Algebra (material from MATH 462, MATH 460 and MATH 560)
  • Analysis I (material from MATH 501 and MATH 552)
  • Analysis II (material from MATH 550 and MATH 655)
  • Numerical Analysis (material from MATH 581 and MATH 582)
  • Applied Functional Analysis (material from MATH 680A/B)
  • Probability/Statistics (material from MATH 540 and MATH 541)

Master’s Thesis: In addition to submitting a written thesis, each student must prepare an oral thesis defense to be presented to their thesis committee.

The University requires that applicants for the graduate program have an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. In addition, the Mathematics Department requires a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all undergraduate work. The GRE exam is not required

The Mathematics Department also requires applicants to have grades of B or better in the following upper-division mathematics classes:

  • Advanced Calculus (equivalent to CSUN Math 450A)
  • Advanced Linear Algebra (equivalent to CSUN Math 462)

Students who do not meet these requirements may still be considered for admission. If admitted, students who do not have a B or better in Advanced Calculus (MATH 450A) and Advanced Linear Algebra (MATH 462), will be required to pass MATH 450A, or MATH 462, or both, with a grade of B or better during the first year of enrollment in the program.

Applicants with undergraduate degrees in fields outside the Mathematical Sciences may also be considered, provided they have successfully taken a significant number of lower and upper division Mathematics courses. 

International applicants may be required to meet English language proficiency requirements.

To apply for the Graduate Program, separate applications are required to the University and to the Department of Mathematics. 

1. Applications to the University are submitted at Cal State Apply. This portion of the application requires official transcripts.

2. Applications to the Department require the following materials:

The deadline for applications to begin in the Fall semester is July 1. The deadline for applications to begin in the Spring semester is November 1.

Graduate Program Application Form

We offer Teaching Associate (TA) positions to qualified full-time graduate students. Applicants may indicate their interest in being considered for a TA positions on their Departmental Application Form.

A limited number of tuition fee waivers are available to Teaching Associates. These waivers are awarded competitively to both new and continuing graduate students.

CSUN students enrolled in a Master's degree program may also be eligible for University sponsored financial aid.