Mathematics (MS)
Loyola's Master of Science in Mathematics degree is a highly customizable program supporting students with a variety of career goals. Beyond delivering foundational knowledge in the discipline, its focus on critical-thinking, organizational, technological, and communication skills leaves students well-prepared for their next step.
The Mathematics (MS) also offers an Accelerated Master's Pathway for Undergraduate students to complete their Graduate studies in a fifth year. Further details of the AMP, including the suggested sequence of courses, can be found under the Curriculum tab.
STEM Designation
The MS in Mathematics has been granted a STEM designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. International students completing degrees with this designation can qualify for extended OPT (Optional Practical Training), bringing the total OPT time granted to 36 months.
Related Programs
Master's
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Mathematics requires 27 credit hours of coursework, a one-credit professional development seminar during the first semester, and a two-credit practicum during the final semester, for a total of 30 credit hours.
Coursework includes required foundational courses in algebra, analysis, and statistics, as well as 18 credit hours of electives chosen from courses in Mathematics and cognate fields (such as Applied Statistics, Data Science, and Computer Science). With their practicum, students design and independently execute a research project under faculty supervision.
Besides the traditional Master's program, the Mathematics (MS) is also offered as an Accelerated Master's Pathway where exceptional students can complete the program in a fifth year. A suggested sequence for the AMP can be found below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Course Requirements | ||
| MATH 416 | Survey of Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 454 | Survey of Analysis | 3 |
| MATH 404 / STAT 404 | Probability & Statistics I 1 | 3 |
| or STAT 408 | Applied Regression Analysis | |
| Depth Requirement Courses | ||
| Algebra or Analysis. | 3 | |
| Algebra II | ||
| Topics in Linear Algebra | ||
| Analysis II | ||
| Complex Analysis | ||
| Cognate Fields. 1 | 3 | |
| Probability & Statistics II | ||
| Categorical Data Analysis | ||
| Natural Language Processing | ||
| Deep Learning | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
Or Another Course with Graduate Program Director Approval 2 | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| MATH 401 | Introduction to Graduate Study in Mathematics | 1 |
| MATH 495 | Graduate Practicum in Mathematics | 2 |
| Select four approved 400-level Electives in Mathematics or Statistics 3 | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Students who select MATH 404/STAT 404 in Foundational Courses may opt to take STAT 408 as a Depth Course, and vice versa.
- 2
The depth requirement for Cognate Fields may be fulfilled by other courses, including courses from other departments, with approval of Graduate Program Director.
- 3
Approved elective courses should be selected with advice of Graduate Program Director to complement student's previous learning and support future plans.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
Traditional Master's Program
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| MATH 401 | Introduction to Graduate Study in Mathematics | 1 |
| MATH 404 / STAT 404 or STAT 408 |
Probability & Statistics I or Applied Regression Analysis |
3 |
| Algebra or Analysis Course | 3 | |
| 400-level Math/Stat Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 416 | Survey of Algebra | 3 |
| Cognate Fields Course | 3 | |
| 400-level Math/Stat Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 454 | Survey of Analysis | 3 |
| 400-level Math/Stat Elective | 3 | |
| 400-level Math/Stat Elective | 3 | |
| MATH 495 | Graduate Practicum in Mathematics | 2 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Accelerated Master's Pathway
Students can take up to 13 credit hours in the senior year with admission to the AMP. These credits are shared between the Bachelor's and Master's programs.
| Senior | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| MATH 401 | Introduction to Graduate Study in Mathematics | 1 |
| MATH 400-Level Elective 1 | 3 | |
| MATH 400-Level Elective 1,2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 400-Level Elective 1 | 3 | |
| MATH 400-Level Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Master's | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 404 / STAT 404 or STAT 408 |
Probability & Statistics I or Applied Regression Analysis |
3 |
| MATH 454 | Survey of Analysis | 3 |
| Algebra or Analysis Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 416 | Survey of Algebra | 3 |
| Cognate Fields Course | 3 | |
| MATH 495 | Graduate Practicum in Mathematics | 2 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Course offerings varies by semesters and academic years. Students should work with the Graduate Program Director when selecting electives. Students can choose from the following Math 400-level courses: MATH 404, MATH 405, MATH 409, MATH 413, MATH 414, MATH 415, MATH 418, MATH 431, MATH 451, MATH 452, MATH 453, MATH 456, MATH 458, MATH 460, MATH 465, or another Math or Stat 400-level course with Graduate Program Director approval.
- 2
The suggested elective can be postponed to the 5th, MS year.
Guidelines for Accelerated Master's Pathways
In Accelerated Master’s Pathways, students share limited, authorized credits between their Undergraduate and Graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees in a shorter amount of time. Shared credits are Graduate level credit hours (400-level or higher) taken during the Undergraduate career and then applied both to the Undergraduate degree and towards Graduate program requirements.
Admission and Matriculation
Accelerated Master's Pathways are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s Undergraduates. Admission to these programs is competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the Graduate program. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the Master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a Bachelor’s degree.
Students enrolled in an Accelerated Master's Pathway who choose not to continue to the Master’s degree program upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.
Ideally, a student will apply for admission to an AMP program as they approach 90 credit hours in their Undergraduate career.
Students will not officially matriculate into the Master’s degree program and be labeled as a Graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the Undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the Graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their Graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.
Advising and Registration
Students in their final Undergraduate year will work with Advising in the home School of their Bachelor's program(s), as well as the Graduate Program Director of the Master’s program. Any 400-level or higher courses that the student plans to enroll in should be reviewed by both advisors to ensure that these courses will complete requirements for both degrees.
Registration in Graduate level courses during the Undergraduate year may require assistance from the Graduate Program Director and/or the student’s current academic advisor to enroll.
Shared Credits
Only courses taken at the 400-level or higher will count toward the Graduate program. At the Undergraduate level, students are restricted to enrolling in and sharing up to the number of Graduate level credits explicitly indicated in the catalog for their selected AMP program.
In general, Graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Master's Pathway. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Master's Pathway is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Program Director, students may take one of their Graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Master’s Pathway if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.
Degree Requirements and Conferral
Undergraduate degree requirements are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Master’s Pathway. Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a Graduate program.
The program’s Graduate Program Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and Master’s degree conferral review process. Graduate credit hours taken during the Undergraduate career will not be included in the Graduate GPA calculation.
If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate Program Director will review the relevant syllabus or syllabi to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400-level course or higher.
Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer Graduate curriculum to Undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.
Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of Undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once matriculated in the Graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the Graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from Undergraduate to Graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence. In offering the option of an Accelerated Master’s Pathway, the university is making possible the acceleration of a student’s Graduate degree completion. It should be understood that students may not request deferral of their matriculation into the Master’s degree program. If students would like to delay their Graduate studies after earning the Undergraduate degree, they may apply for admission to the traditional Master’s degree program. Any application of Graduate credit earned while in the Undergraduate program is subject to the policies of the Graduate degree granting school.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Science in Mathematics Program will:
- be able to construct mathematical proofs of basic theorems, and to write these proofs clearly using correct grammatical constructs and appropriate mathematical notation;
- have seen applications of mathematics to areas across mathematical disciplines and outside of mathematical disciplines;
- receive the training sufficient for acceptance into PhD programs or professional schools, or for hire in mathematics related industries;
- receive training on how to act responsibly and ethically within the discipline.