Program Overview
Job opportunities for mathematicians and statisticians are growing exponentially. Data collection in the digital age requires context and interpretation. If you’re ready for the challenge, West Chester University is here for you!
The Master of Science in Mathematics at WCU was designed with flexibility in mind. The 33-credit program includes a core curriculum (12-credits) with the opportunity for focused study through electives. The core courses (Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra, Analysis, and Differential Equations) provide a foundation in both theoretical and applied mathematics. Students then specialize in one of three concentration areas: theoretical, applied and computational, or educational concentrations.
Elective courses prepare our students for positions in actuarial science, computer science, operations research, biomathematics, cryptography, education at the high school or community college level, research, economics, environmental mathematics, geophysical mathematics, air traffic control operations, photogrammetry, and many more.
Each student completes a capstone experience in the form of either a thesis or an e-portfolio. A thesis is recommended for students who would like to pursue a doctoral degree in mathematics or a related field, or be employed as a research mathematician.
Concentrations
Mathematics (Theoretical)
The default program is in theoretical mathematics, with required courses in abstractalgebra, analysis, and topology. Selection of electives lead to career preparation in any number of fields. In particular, this degree can prepare students for a PhD in Mathematics.
Applied and Computational
The Applied and Computational Mathematics Concentration trains students to launch careers as industrial mathematicians, or to pursue doctoral study in a computationally intensive field. Core curriculum introduces students to theoretical foundations of applied mathematics. Concentration courses and electives allow students to specialize in project-oriented curriculum that teaches students to apply various forms of topology to real world problems.
Mathematics Education
This is a mathematics degree with several math education components. Students in this concentration take core mathematics classes and a variety of statistics and mathematics education courses. This concentration prepares students for a wide variety of job opportunities in the field of teaching and/or mathematics education.
Program Highlights
- Faculty experts
- Opportunities for collaborative faculty research
- Concentrations in pure mathematics, applied and computational mathematics, and mathematics education
- Colloquium series giving access to world experts in mathematics and mathematics education
- Personalized advising experience
- State-of-the-art computational mathematics laboratories
- Affordable tuition
- Evening courses for students in the workforce
What can I do with this degree?
Mathematics opens the doors to many promising careers and teaches patience, discipline, and systematic problem-solving skills. In addition, most high-earning college degrees all have a common element namely mathematics. Not only do many professions and majors (engineering, doctors, physics, nurses, computer science, actuarial science, etc.) require courses in mathematics, but the analytical and problem-solving skills students learn in mathematics can apply to all disciplines. There are an unlimited number of job opportunities for our graduates with an MS in Mathematics.
Our graduates are in demand and find positions across the country and the world, including with the following employers:
- the Internal Revenue Service
- U. S. Census Bureau
- Ford Motor Co.
- Transamerica Insurance Co.
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- IBM Corporation
- Center for Communications Research
- A. C. Nielsen Co.
- American Airlines
- U. S. Department of Energy
- Exxon Production Research Co.
- United Airlines
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Prudential Securities
- International Computer Science Institute
- National Security Agency
- Silicon Graphics
- and others.