Graduate Studies

How to Apply

group of math students studying in a circleBefore you apply, please consult our Graduate Program Overview and the UA Graduate School website for a full description of our program. It is important to check our research areas to see if there is a match to your interest. It is not necessary to contact any faculty member, but it is beneficial if you have endorsement from some faculty members. The Department of Mathematics accepts graduate applications from U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international applicants.

Deadlines

Admissions to the M.A. and Ph.D. programs are normally in the fall semester, but we do admit students to start in the spring. We don’t admit students to start in the summer. To maximize your chances to be admitted, you should arrange for all application materials to reach the graduate school by the following deadlines.

  • To start in the Fall Semester: January 15
  • To start in the Spring Semester: October 1

Late applications are accepted and will be considered, depending on availability of positions.

Financial Supports

All applicants are automatically considered for financial supports. There is no additional application process. Visit the financial support webpage for more information.

Submission

Applications to the department are submitted online through the Graduate School’s application page. The application must include the components listed below, submitted electronically. Do not send hard copy documents to the Mathematics Department or to the Graduate School. The information below provides a general overview of the policies, but the full description can be found in the UA Catalog’s admissions criteria page.

Components of Applications

Application Fee

To apply to UA, the graduate school charges applicants a fixed sum. In certain circumstances, the graduate school may waive your application fee. Visit the Graduate School application page for more information on university fee-waiver programs.

 

Resume or Curriculum Vita

Applicants should include a Resume or Curriculum Vita listing their educational experiences, any scholarly activity, and field-relevant work experience.

Transcripts and GPA requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in mathematics or a closely related field. A Master’s degree is not required for admission to the PhD program. The Graduate School requires that applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall, 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours in a degree program, or 3.0 for a completed graduate degree program (see the UA Graduate Catalog).

During the application process please upload copies of your transcripts (with English translations if necessary) to the application portal. Unofficial transcripts are ok for the application process. Once admitted, international applicants must submit one certified copy in the native language along with certified English translations of all transcripts, diplomas, and certificates of degree. Transcript and diploma copies submitted after admission must be certified by the issuing institution. Notary copies are NOT acceptable. (from the Graduate School admissions webpage)

Statement of Purpose

Applicants should provide a written statement describing their academic and career goals, as well as their particular interests in an area of mathematics. The statement should not be more than two pages.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required. These should be written by people who know the applicant’s academic record and potential for graduate study. The most significant ones will be from professors in mathematics or a closely related field who have taught the applicant or supervised in research. The applicant provides email addresses for letter writers to the online application system. These letters need to be submitted online by the letter writers.

GRE General Exam Scores

Scores on the general test of the GRE are optional. We encourage applicants to submit GRE scores, especially if they think doing so will make their applications stronger and boost their chance of getting admitted. However, applications with and without GRE scores will both get full consideration. 

GRE Subject Exam scores are not required.

English Language Proficiency

International students are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. The minimum scores for regular admissions and the criteria for exemptions are listed on the graduate school webpage for international students.