The M.A. is designed primarily for students who wish to enter a Ph.D. program in mathematics. A student’s program of study for this degree is usually narrower than the M.S. in scope but more intense in content. Course work for the degree is regarded as preparatory for the Ph.D.

Learning Outcomes

1. MM students will demonstrate an understanding of algebra, calculus, statistics and geometry as taught at the secondary level, and the basic elements of group theory, ring theory, and real analysis, that is, the material of core curriculum courses listed above. MS and MA students will master the material of the core curriculum courses listed above, as well as the foundational material of their specialty. The level of problem formulation and solution, and written expository skill, should reach a level adequate for the writing of a thesis. [Note: specific topics could be itemized here as in the PhD plan, but since the three degrees have such different programs of study, this would probably be excessively lengthy.]
2. All students who are GTA’s will demonstrate teaching proficiency in the settings described in the Curriculum above. 

Admissions

For admission into the M.S., M.A., M.M., or Ph.D. degree programs, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an approved institution and should have an undergraduate foundation in mathematics equivalent to that of a major in mathematics at the University of South Carolina. A minimum B (3.0) average in all college-level math courses is required for full admission.

Applicants should submit an official transcript from each school or college previously attended, and at least two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with their abilities in mathematics. Applicants whose native language is not English are also required to submit a satisfactory score on the iBT TOEFL exam. The minimum score for admission to the program is 80. 

Application and materials should be submitted online at http://www.gradschool.sc.edu/apply.htm, or be mailed to:

The Graduate School
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208

Degree Requirements (30 Hours)

The M.A. degree requires 30 approved semester hours of graduate mathematics course work. All courses in the student's program must be numbered 700 and above and must include one Mathematics Ph.D qualifying exam sequence and one course in one of the other qualifying exam sequences. A "master's pass" or "pass" is required in one Mathematics Ph.D qualifying exam.