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!
West Chester University offers a Master of Science in Mathematics as well as concentrations in Applied & Computational Mathematics and Mathematics Education. Each program is designed with flexibility in mind to meet individual academic and professional interests. The 33-credit program curriculum provides a foundation in both theoretical and applied mathematics through core courses in Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra, Analysis, and Differential Equations with the opportunity for focused study through electives.
Elective courses prepare our graduates 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. Upon completion of the Mathematics M.S., graduates are also well prepared to pursue a doctoral program in mathematics.
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 interested in a career as a research mathematician.
Program Options
Mathematics (Theoretical)
The Mathematics M.S. provides a foundation in theoretical mathematics. The program's flexible curriculum offers electives course in mathematics education, statistics, computer science, pure mathematics, applied and computational mathematics, actuarial science, business and more. Students are trained to work in a variety of fields or prepared to pursue a doctoral degree in mathematics.
Applied and Computational
The Mathematics M.S.: Applied and Computational Mathematics Concentration trains students to launch careers as industrial mathematicians, or to pursue doctoral study in a computationally intensive field. The program's flexible 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
The Mathematics M.S.: Mathematics Education Concentration is designed to prepare students for a wide variety of job opportunities in the field of teaching and/or mathematics education. The program's flexible curriculum includes core courses in abstract algebra, real analysis, mathematical statistics and geometry as well as mathematics education electives. 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.