Master's programs: FAQ

Where can I find information on the various degrees offered?
The official source of information about the graduate program is the Graduate Program Web site; check the Ph.D. and the Master's pages, in particular.
How long does a Master's degree typically take?
Usually two years. It is possible in principle to complete a thesis Master's degree in one academic year plus one quarter (e.g., the following summer quarter), but this is rarely done. Of course, if you enter with transfer credits from another graduate program, you might be able to complete your degree in a shorter period of time.
I've done graduate work at another university. Can I get transfer credits?
If the Graduate Program Coordinator approves, you may petition the Graduate School for up to 6 transfer credits for courses that are equivalent to 500-level UW math courses applicable to a Master's degree. Transfer credits are not granted for 400-level courses or for the PhD degree.
What is Normal Progress in the Master's program?
The detailed rules are described under Normal Progress on the Web. Briefly, in order to be making normal progress, you must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and satisfactorily complete at least eight one-quarter courses applicable to your degree (with grades of 3.0 or better) during your first year.
    Normal Progress is used for support decisions - as long as you are making normal progress and your teaching performance is satisfactory, renewal of your financial support for your second year of study is more or less automatic.
What's the difference between the thesis and a non-thesis Master's degrees?
Roughly speaking, for a thesis degree you will write a Master's thesis (and register for 9 credits of Math 700, Master's Thesis), while for a non-thesis degree the thesis is replaced by an extra three-quarter 500-level course sequence. Details are in Degree Requirements.
What's the difference between the MS and MA degrees?
The MS degrees are far more rigorous than the MA degree, and closely resemble the first two years of the PhD program. Basically, if you obtain an MS degree, you will have completed a lot of the course work required for a PhD degree, and you will be prepared to use specialized mathematics in industry, or to teach mathematics at the advanced secondary or community college level. The MA degree is primarily for students who want to enrich their general mathematics background or to teach at the K-12 level.
If I don't finish my Master's degree in two years, what options do I have, assuming I really want to get a degree?
If you are continuing to make reasonable progress toward completing your degree requirements, you are welcome to remain in the program as a self-supporting student until you complete your degree. But the Math Department virtually never provides financial support to Master's students beyond the second year.
What course work is required for a Master's degree?
The detailed requirements are described in Master's Degree Requirements on the Web. Briefly, for an MA degree, you need twelve one-quarter graduate math courses, at least six of which must be at the 500-level. For an MS degree, you need twelve one-quarter graduate math courses, including two quarters from each of three 500-level core courses, plus either a Master's thesis or another 3-quarter 500-level sequence beyond the core level.

Notes:

  • For the MA degree, your courses must include at least two quarters each in algebra, analysis, and one other field.
  • For the MS thesis degree, any 2-quarter 500-level sequence can be substituted for the third core course.
  • For the specialized MS degrees (Numerical Analysis or Optimization), there are specific 500-level courses that must be included in your program.
What is a typical first-year Master's program?
Typically, first-year Master's students take two 400-level courses (including either 402/3/4 or 424/5/6, often both) and one 500-level core course (usually 504/5/6 or 524/5/6).
May I take two or even three 500-level courses my first year?
You may take more than one 500-level course, if you really are prepared to do so, but this is rarely the case. Be sure to discuss this carefully with both your advisor and the instructors of the 500-level courses, however, to ensure that your undergraduate real analysis and algebra courses were sufficiently rigorous to prepare you for the 500-level courses you wish to take. Again, it is unusual for a first-year Master's student to be really well prepared for more than one 500-level course.
What if I'm not prepared to take any 500-level courses my first year?
With your advisor's approval, you may register for three 400-level courses during your first year. Be aware, however, that it will be nearly impossible to complete an MS degree in two years if you don't complete at least one 3-quarter 500-level sequence during your first year. Thus you may need to continue working on your degree without departmental support after the second year.
What is a typical second-year Master's program?
For an MS non-thesis degree, a typical second-year program would include two 500-level core courses plus one more advanced 500-level sequence. For an MS thesis degree, the advanced 500-level course would be replaced by a Master's thesis (3 credits of Math 700 each quarter).
Am I allowed to take courses outside the Math Department?
Yes, provided you are otherwise meeting the Normal Progress and registration requirements, and your advisor approves. Otherwise you'll need the permission of the Graduate Program Coordinator.
What if I can't find a 3-quarter advanced sequence to take during my second year?
Because there may not always be an advanced 3-quarter sequence offered in your area of specialization, there is room for negotiation about what counts as fulfilling this requirement. For example, if the Graduate Program Coordinator agrees, you might substitute a 2-quarter sequence plus a related independent study course, or two separate 2-quarter sequences. Talk to the Graduate Program Coordinator as early as possible and, in any case, before the beginning of your second year if you feel that you will have a problem finding an appropriate 3-quarter sequence.
What are the registration requirements for Master's students?
Briefly, supported Master's students must register for at least 10 credits, including three graded courses applicable to their degrees. With your advisor's permission, one of the courses may be a graded independent study course. Other exceptions require the permission of the Graduate Program Coordinator. For details, see Registration Guidelines.
I plan to register for three courses that amount to only 9 credits. How can I meet the 10-credit requirement?
If you take three 3-credit courses, you will need to sign up for at least one extra credit to bring the total up to 10. For most Master's students, the most appropriate option would be one or more credits of Math 600B in conjunction with a three-credit course. (See What is Math 600B?)
What is Math 600B?
This course number is for Supplemental reading in connection with a math course. If you need additional credits to bring your total up to 10 credits, one easy way to get them is to sign up for two credits of 600B in conjunction with one of your 3-credit courses. You should reach an understanding with the instructor of that course at the beginning of the quarter about what work will be required for the extra credits. It could involve outside reading, doing extra problems, or regular discussions with the instructor, for example.
What do grades mean in graduate courses?
Passing grades for graduate students are in the range 3.0 - 4.0. Grades below 3.0 do not count for graduate credit in the Mathematics Department, and may not be used in fulfillment of any math graduate degree requirements except by special permission of the Graduate Program Coordinator, and then only if the grade is 2.7 or higher. In 400-level and core graduate courses, a grade of 4.0 means you have attained a superior mastery of the material, while a grade of 3.0 means you are just barely performing at the level expected of a graduate student.
What is the 15-credit rule?
It was a Math Department rule requiring all supported graduate students to register for at least 15 credits every quarter. It was repealed in 2000, and replaced by more specific registration requirements tailored to the educational needs of students at different levels in the program.
Other than courses, what work is required for a Master's degree?
Of course, if you choose a thesis degree, you will have to write a Master's thesis. Besides that, the only additional requirement is your final exam, which is an oral presentation of material in your area of specialization followed by an opportunity for people to ask questions. (If you write a thesis, the final exam is your thesis defense.)
What's involved in writing a Master's thesis?
In general, Master's theses are expository, and typically do not involve original research on the part of the student. The thesis should usually be a synthesis of some relatively recent mathematics (say from the past 50 years) beyond what is typically covered in elementary and intermediate graduate courses and textbooks.
What should I do when I'm ready to get my Master's degree?
Before the end of the second week of the quarter in which you wish to complete your degree, you must complete a Master's Degree Application. The easiest way to do this is by applying on the web.
May I change my advisor? How do I go about that?
Yes, you may change advisors at any time, provided all parties agree. Get an advisor change form from the Student Services Office (C-36), fill it out and, after it has been signed by yourself, your old advisor and your new advisor, put it in the Graduate Program Coordinator's mail box for his/her approval. (Your new advisor must sign to indicate that s/he agrees to be your advisor. The purpose of getting your old advisor's signature is simply to ensure that he or she has been notified of the change.)
How does the final Master's exam work?
Usually the final exam is an oral presentation of material you have learned in your area of specialization. (If you write a Master's thesis, it will be an oral presentation of your thesis--also known as the "thesis defense.") A typical Master's exam consists of a 50-minute presentation by the student, followed by an opportunity for anyone in the audience to ask questions. Then the general public is asked to leave, and the faculty members present are given an opportunity to ask questions in private. Finally, the committee meets to decide on the outcome of the exam. The student is notified of the outcome immediately.
Can I transfer from the Master's program to the PhD program? How?
Each spring, all Master's students are given an opportunity to apply to transfer to the PhD program. The application deadline is the end of the second week of the Spring quarter. To apply, submit the following to the Student Services Office, Padelford C36:
  • A completed Application for Change of Status in Mathematics;
  • A Statement of Educational and Professional Objectives;
  • Three letters of recommendation from faculty members in the UW Mathematics Department.
At least two of the letters must be from instructors of mathematics courses you have taken for graded graduate credit at UW. If you have been employed as a Teaching Assistant in the Math Department, the third letter should be from a faculty member who supervised your work as a TA; otherwise, it should be from a third course instructor. Forms can be obtained in the Student Services Office (grads@math.washington.edu, 206-543-6830). (Note that there are different forms for academic recommendations and teaching recommendations.) It is not necessary to submit transcripts or to pay an application fee. See Transferring to the PhD Program for more details.
I started in the PhD program but now I want to finish with a Master's degree. What do I need to do?
If you have completed two full years in the PhD program, you have probably already completed the course requirements for a Master's degree. See Master's Degree requirements for details. The only other things you need to do are file a Master's degree application during the first two weeks of your final quarter, and complete your final Master's exam. (See How does the final Master's exam work?)
 
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Last modified: October 1, 2013, 15:21
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