There are three distinct master’s degree options recognized by both the Mathematics  Department and the Graduate School: master’s thesis; master’s report; and the nonthesis, nonreport option.

• In general terms, the master’s thesis option is best suited for the student seeking the master’s degree as the terminal degree.
• The master’s report generally is shorter than the master’s thesis, but in principle is closer in format and spirit of creativity to published works in mathematics than is the master’s thesis, which tends to be more expository in nature.
• The nonthesis, nonreport option is generally best suited for students wishing to continue into the Ph.D. program in mathematics. Here, instead of defending a thesis or a report, the student will pass a written exam, administered by the student’s master’s committee.

In all cases, the graduate student must include at least 30 credit hours of mathematics at the 700 level or above on the program of study, which is composed in consultation with the student’s supervisory committee.

There is no language requirement for the master’s degree.