Graduate Program in Mathematics Admissions

                  Apply to the PhD Program                   Apply to the Master's Program

graduate students in mathematics

About our graduate program

Watch a video tour of graduate student life in Mathematics, and read our brochure. Check out our PhD graduates and their jobs and see our brochure on the actuarial science program if that is your interest.

Consult the program information below for

Click the links at right to apply for admission and funding (tuition waivers, teaching and research assistantships, fellowships).

Meet some current graduate students...

Anton Bernshteyn Anton Bernshteyn
I chose Illinois for graduate school because the mathematics department at Illinois is very large and diverse, making it possible to find experts working in virtually any area. Read more

Vanessa Rivera-Quinones Vanessa Rivera-Quiñones
I chose to attend the University of Illinois because I wanted to be in a graduate program that cared for student success and that provided a friendly environment for its students. I have been involved in the Association of Women in Mathematics. Read more

Ashish Kumar Pandey Ashish Kumar Pandey
Urbana-Champaign is one of the best college towns I have been to. I like the university libraries as well as the public libraries. Another thing I really like is the Activities and Recreation Center at Illinois which has a wide-array of facilities and it is a great place to have some fun after doing math all day. Read more

Cara Monical Cara Monical
Illinois has a large program that that has provided different options for me to explore. The students are supportive of each other and happy to be here. I have been regularly involved with our student chapter of the Association for Women in Mathematics which holds events to support graduate students as well as runs outreach events in the community. Read more

Yun Shi

 Yun Shi
I like this small and convenient town. A lot of my friends live close to campus, and we gather together to talk about math or do some other activities together frequently At the Campus Recreational Center I can do every kind of sport I like. The Krannert Center for Performing Arts is a great place for enjoying performances. Read more

  

 

PhD in Mathematics

Applicants should possess a strong background in undergraduate mathematics. The PhD usually requires four to six years of study. In 2015-2016, the mean time to degree was 5.5 years, and 88% of our PhD graduates took 6 years or fewer. The principal stages are:

  • Comprehensive Requirements
  • Preliminary Examination (Thesis Proposal)
  • Doctoral Thesis

Mathematics PhD student population

Students who wish to earn a doctorate should apply directly to the PhD program. Students can usually earn a Masters degree along the way to the PhD.

For detailed degree requirements, please see the Guide for Graduate Students in Mathematics.

 

PhD Concentration in Actuarial Science and Risk Analytics

The Concentration attracts students with strong interest in financial risk analytics and actuarial applications of mathematics, and equips them with advanced analytical tools for professional and academic careers. Students in the Concentration complete coursework or professional exams in Probability, Risk Modeling and Analysis, Mathematical Statistics, Theory of Finance, and Actuarial Models for Life Contingencies or Financial Economics. Concentration students are not required to take graduate abstract algebra.

 

PhD Applications for Students Currently Enrolled in an MS Program in the Illinois Department of Mathematics

This form is only for the use of current students in a master's program in the Department of Mathematics who wish to apply to the PhD program in Mathematics. Your application will be considered on an equal basis with all the other applications received, but by using this form you will not have to pay another application fee.  

 

MS in Mathematics

The MS in Mathematics program allows students a wide range of course choices and can offer good preparation either for a job in industry or for pursuit of a doctorate in mathematics at another university. It is rare, though not impossible, for students to enter the PhD program at the University of Illinois after finishing the MS in Mathematics. The degree requires 32 credit hours and can normally be completed in 18 months. A master's thesis is optional. Applications are accepted for Fall semester each year. Financial aid is generally not available, although students in this program are occasionally hired as teaching assistants after they are enrolled.

For detailed degree requirements, please see the Guide for Graduate Students in Mathematics.

Students entering the program should have completed at least six courses in mathematics at the junior-senior level (beyond calculus). It is strongly recommended that the entering student has taken courses that cover the syllabi of the following:

  • Math 417 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra
  • Math 447 - Real Variables
  • A course in computer programming

 

MS in Applied Mathematics

The MS in Applied Mathematics program is intended for students wishing to pursue a career in applied mathematics. It is also suitable as preparation for a PhD program in Applied Mathematics. It is rare for students to enter the PhD program at the University of Illinois after finishing this degree. Students may choose one of three tracks: Optimization and Algorithms, Applications to the Sciences, or Computational Science and Engineering. This degree program requires 32 credit hours and can normally be completed in 18 months. A master's thesis is optional. Applications are accepted for Fall semester. Financial aid is generally not available, although students in this program are occasionally hired as teaching assistants after they are enrolled.

For detailed degree requirements, please see the Guide for Graduate Students in Mathematics.

Students entering the program should have completed at least six courses in mathematics at the junior-senior level (beyond calculus). For the Optimization and Algorithms option, it is strongly recommended that the entering student has taken at least one course in each of linear algebra, real analysis, and probability or statistics and has taken a course in theoretical computer science other than a programming course. For the Applications to the Sciences and Computational Science & Engineering options, it is strongly recommended that the entering student has taken at least one course in each of linear algebra, real analysis, probability or statistics, and differential equations and has training in computer programming.

 

MS in Actuarial Science

This program prepares students for actuarial science careers; it provides background for much of the material on the basic professional actuarial examinations. It is required that the entering student have taken the calculus sequence and at least one course in probability or statistics. Some training in computer programming and exposure to economics or finance are also helpful. For detailed degree requirements, please see the Guide for Graduate Students in Mathematics.

Admission to this program does not require an undergraduate degree in actuarial science, but students who have not already passed the first actuarial exam (probability theory) should be prepared to sit for it during their first semester. A student who enters with a significant actuarial background will also be able to continue with more advanced course work in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics and finance.

A student successfully finishing the program will typically have mastered the material covered on most or all of the basic actuarial exams (Exams P, FM, MLC, MFE, and C), and will have had an opportunity to study some finance, economics, or other areas of potential application to actuarial work. The program requires 32 credit hours and can normally be completed in 18 months. Financial aid is normally not available; however, a small number of students who are native speakers of English or who have satisfied the English Proficiency Requirement for International Teaching Assistants may be offered a teaching assistantship, which provides a full tuition waiver (regardless of student's residency classification), partial fee waiver, and a stipend sufficient for living expenses in Champaign-Urbana. Students may begin the program in either the Fall or the Spring semester.

For information on actuarial science courses, faculty, and social and networking activities organized by students, see the Actuarial Science Program page.

 

MS in the Teaching of Mathematics

The MS in the Teaching of Mathematics is intended for those who wish to teach at the high school or community college level. It does not lead to certification to teach in public schools. The program requires 32 credit hours and can normally be completed in 18 months.

A teaching assistantship and full tuition waiver (plus partial fee waiver) will be offered for three semesters to all admitted applicants who are native speakers of English or satisfy the English Proficiency Requirement for International Teaching Assistants.

For detailed degree requirements, please see the Guide for Graduate Students in Mathematics.

Students entering the program should have completed at least six courses in mathematics at the junior-senior level (beyond calculus). It is strongly recommended that the entering student has taken courses which cover the syllabi of the following:

  • Math 402 – Non Euclidean Geometry
  • Math 417 - Intro to Abstract Algebra
  • Math 444 - Elementary Real Analysis
  • A course in applied statistics/probability
  • A course in programming or computer science

 

Mathematics Graduate Office
267 Altgeld Hall
E-mail: math-grad@illinois.edu
Telephone: 217-333-5749