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Mathematics

Mathematics is the study of quantity, space and shape, and industries rely on those who hold a master's in mathematics for their analytical and critical problem-solving skills. Learn to apply these skills in whatever career you choose with a graduate degree in mathematics.

Give yourself an advantage

Whether you're a math teacher or statistical analyst, you can expect to conduct sophisticated research projects and gain career-advancing skills while completing your master's degree in mathematics from USD. Earning a master's degree can also earn you a higher salary. As a graduate of our program, you'll be prepared to pursue a Ph.D. or venture further into the field of mathematics as an economist, statistician, data analyst or advanced educator.

Position yourself for greater opportunities with a graduate degree in mathematics at USD.                             

Degrees & Offerings

Mathematics (M.A.)

Master's
  Vermillion Main Campus

The M.A. program opens the door for further growth and professional development for high school teachers seeking a master's degree, or for those seeking employment in other fields but do not want to complete a Ph.D.

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Mathematics (M.S.)

Master's
  Vermillion Main Campus

The M.S. program will prepare you for doctoral studies in mathematics and covers advanced topics that will prepare you to take the qualifying exams for other Ph.D. programs without the need for more coursework.

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Mathematics (B.S./M.A. or M.S.)

Accelerated Program
  Vermillion Main Campus

If you are a current USD undergraduate student who would like to begin a master's degree while completing your bachelor's degree, you may apply and begin the program after completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours.

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Program Details

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Department

Contact

Graduate Admissions

Known for Excellence

With qualities like small class sizes, specialized programs and incredible student opportunities, USD is not your typical university. What makes us unique is what makes your education exceptional.

Student Opportunities

As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.

Gain valuable real-world, professional experience while enjoying paid employment and discounted tuition rates as a graduate student at USD. The affordability you gain through graduate assistantships will equip you will valuable, professional-level skills that will set you apart after graduation. 

Teaching and research assistantships are awarded by individual departments.  If you do not receive an assistantship within your department, you are eligible for an assistantship outside of your academic program or within support offices (non-academic units) at USD. Further inquiries should be directed to the graduate chair of the department.

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At USD, our graduate students are actively pursuing unique research and presenting at local and national conferences, exploring innovative areas of interest to them. Additional research and grant opportunities include:

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition provides the opportunity to communicate the significance and impact of your research project in just three minutes. 

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Research and Creative Scholarship Opportunities

Each semester students may apply for grants through the USD Graduate School. Faculty and students pursue research in virtually all academic departments on campus, and in many cases, it is a required portion of a graduate degree program. 

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IdeaFest

IdeaFest is an annual event celebrating student research, creative scholarship and academic engagement. Undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines present their work in oral and poster presentations, live performances, readings, exhibits and displays. 

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At USD, our graduate students are active. USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including several that are housed in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. You may be interested in creating projects and hosting outreach opportunities to make friends, develop new skills and explore your interests.

Pi Mu Epsilon

Pi Mu Epsilon is a national mathematics honor society dedicated to promoting math and recognizing math students by sponsoring conferences, travel funds for student speakers and cash prizes.

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Math Club

A place to bond with fellow students, the Math Club sponsors field trips and activities that are open to both math and non-math students.

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Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA)

Join your fellow graduate and professional students at USD. We aim to build a sense of community between graduate and professional students. Build your resume, network with others and gain experience and the unique opportunity to represent the interests of graduate students to the greater campus and community. 

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Departments & Facilities

Explore the departments, facilities and centers that contribute to your education. Our renowned faculty will help you understand the wide field of mathematics and how it impacts our everyday lives.
Picture of arms and hands working on a math paper with several calculators on the table

Mathematical Sciences

Our renowned faculty will help you understand the wide field of mathematics and how it impacts our everyday lives.

FACULTY & STAFF

Get to know the faculty and staff in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Our faculty are experts in their field, contributing research and scholarship in the areas of statistics, algebra, analysis, biomathematical modeling and more.

Bio Image for Faculty Member Clark Bennett

Clark Bennett

Instructor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Catalin Georgescu

Catalin Georgescu

Chair-Mathematical Sciences

Specialty

Dynamical Systems, Geometric Group Theory.
Bio Image for Faculty Member Kyle Greywall

Kyle Greywall

Instructor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Nan Jiang

Nan Jiang

Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Angela Keith

Angela Keith

Instructor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Shannon Kortan

Shannon Kortan

Instructor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Ramiro Lafuente-Rodriguez

Ramiro Lafuente-Rodriguez

Associate Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Yuhlong Lio

Yuhlong Lio

Professor

Specialty

Mathematics: Stochastic Processes, Reliability, Industrial Mathematics, and more.
Bio Image for Faculty Member Kristen Maxon

Kristen Maxon

Instructor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Sally Schmidt

Sally Schmidt

Instructor, Dir-Math Emporium
Bio Image for Faculty Member Sandra Shumaker

Sandra Shumaker

Instructor

Specialty

Finite Math and Survey of Calculus
Bio Image for Faculty Member Nicholas Wulf

Nicholas Wulf

Instructor
Students working on mathematical problems together in class.

Gain the Classroom Experience You Need to Succeed

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers a number of graduate teaching assistantships each year to gain valuable real-world, classroom experience while enjoying paid employment and discounted tuition rate.



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Surprisingly Affordable

Whether you’ve recently completed your undergraduate degree, or you want to kick your career up a notch, graduate school is the next logical step. The good news is there is funding for both online and on-campus students to get you through your program. 
GA (Resident*)
Resident
Online
Non-Resident
Tuition (1 cr.)
180.3
340.15
470.45
654.05
GAF Fee (1 cr.)
55.3
55.3
0
55.3
Total

More About Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates are subject to change and may vary depending on the program or department. Visit the Graduate Tuition & Costs page for more information.

* Graduate Assistant (GA) rates are available for resident, non-resident and online students.

** Resident rates may be available to you through the SD Advantage, Child of Alumni or Western Regional Graduate Program. To see if you quality, visit usd.edu/grad-tuition.

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