Nov 05, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Mathematics, Actuarial and Financial Mathematics Concentration, M.S.


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Don Hong, Program Director
(615) 904-8339
Don.Hong@mtsu.edu

The Master of Science in Mathematics with a concentration in Actuarial and Financial Mathematics includes examination, thesis, and internship options. Students electing the examination option must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination, which may be taken no more than twice. Students electing the internship option must enroll in 3 hours of internship in actuarial science (ACSI 6910). Students electing the thesis option must enroll in at least 3 hours of Thesis Research (MATH 6640) and publish a thesis with the graduate school. The examination and internship options require completion of 36 credit hours. The thesis option requires completion of 36-42 credit hours. In addition, at most thirty percent of the total credit hours in the program may be at the 5000-level, and no more than two special problems courses can apply toward the degree.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements


Admission normally requires completion of the GRE with acceptable scores. Successful applicants typically have combined GRE scores of 291 or above.

Applicant must

  1. have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;
  2. have an acceptable grade point average for all college work taken;
  3. have completed 21 semester hours of college-level mathematics (including calculus) with at least 9 hours of mathematics beyond calculus.

Application Procedures


All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicant must

  1. submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
  2. submit official scores on the GRE;
  3. submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
  4. have two recommendation forms submitted, one by a reference who has served as applicant’s instructor in an institution of higher education and the second by a reference who has interacted professionally with applicant. Students interested in teaching or obtaining a graduate teaching assistantship should submit one reference which speaks to their potential to teach. NOTE: Letters of recommendation are not required; however, students choosing to submit letters should email them to Carmen.Bucka@mtsu.edu.
  5. describe professional goals in 500 words or less and how this program would help to meet those goals.

Degree Requirements


The Master of Science in Mathematics with a concentration in Actuarial and Financial Mathematics requires completion of 36 semester hours (examination and internship option) or 36-42 semester hours (thesis option).

Candidate must

  1. participate in the graduate seminar and give an oral presentation of an approved topic;
  2. successfully complete a master’s thesis or engage in internship or a written comprehensive examination (may be taken no more than twice).

Curriculum: Mathematics, Actuarial and Financial Mathematics


The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements. In addition, a maximum of 9 hours of thesis research may be required to fulfill degree requirements.

Examination Option (36 hours)


Required Core Courses (9 hours)

Comprehensive Examination

Candidates must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination which may be taken no more than twice.

Elective Concentration Courses (18 hours)

18 credit hours approved by advisor. Courses should be chosen from the following:

Internship Option (36 hours)


Required Core Courses (9 hours)

At least 6 credit hours from the following:

Internship (3 hours)

  • 3 credit hours
  • For internship credits to be awarded, the location must be approved by the faculty advisor and the internship work must be related to actuarial science. Students must keep a portfolio during the internship and do a presentation upon completion of the internship.

Elective Concentration Courses (15 hours)

15 credit hours approved by advisor. Courses should be chosen from the following:

Thesis Option (36-42 hours)


Required Core Courses (9 hours)

At least 6 credit hours from the following:

Thesis (3-9 hours)

Elective Concentration Courses (15 hours)

15 credit hours approved by advisor. Courses should be chosen from the following:

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