Mathematics and Statistics

Graduate Students

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Cal Poly Pomona confers degrees of Master of Science in Mathematics with an option of four emphases: Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, and Mathematics Education. Our program is suitable for individuals interested in theoretical mathematics, applications of mathematics or statistics, working in industry, or teaching at the secondary or post-secondary level. Also, our program provides a solid foundation for those seeking to pursue further graduate study in various fields of mathematics.

Application Deadline

Applications are due April 1 in the Spring immediately preceding the Fall term in which you wish to begin the program.

Students may not begin the program in Spring or Summer terms; however, students may take up to 9 units through Open University and have the credit apply to a master's degree.

For details regarding admission and program requirements, see the How to Apply link under Prospective Students on the left. 

Our department offers a Graduate Teaching Associate program.  For more details and application information, please see Open Positions.

If you have any questions, contact the Graduate Coordinator of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Dr. Adam King.

Requirements of the Graduate Studies Office

The Graduate Studies Office has its own set of requirements each graduate student must satisfy in order to earn a master's degree. 

Graduate Timeline and Checklist

Advanced to Candidacy

The timelines and checklists below are for graduate students who have advanced to candidacy:

  • Overall GPA of at least 3.0;
  • Satisfied all requirements stipulated by the graduate coordinator at the time of admission;
  • Contract approved by the graduate coordinator and the Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies;
  • Completed 4 courses on the student's contract, at least 2 of which must be at the 5000 level; and
  • 3.0 GPA on contract courses taken thus far.

Timeline for Thesis Option

The thesis option is available for Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, and Mathematics Education.

Summer (3rd to last semester)

  • Find a thesis advisor and a topic. Talk to your professors.
  • Read and write down some math.
  • Start typesetting your thesis. A thesis should be written using LaTeX. Free LaTex resources are available here.

Fall (2nd to last semester)

  • Take classes as needed, perhaps a unit or two of MAT 6910/6960. Save at least one unit of MAT 6960 for your last semester.
  • Read and write down some more math. Meet with your thesis advisor regularly.
  • Start/continue typesetting your thesis. Use LaTeX.
  • Choose a thesis defense committee comprising your thesis advisor and two other professors, perhaps one from another department or institution.

Spring (last semester)

  • Take classes as needed, including at least one unit of MAT 6960 for your last semester. Be sure to have completed 2 units of MAT 6910 and 2 of MAT 6960.
  • Schedule your thesis defense, using input from your committee.
  • Contact the Math and Stats department (mathstat@cpp.edu or 909-869-4904) for assistance in securing an appropriate room.
  • Apply to graduate in the current semester. This should be done in the first week of the semester. See Important Dates and Deadlines.
  • Follow the Graduate Studies Office's Final Checklist.
  • Revise your graduate contract as needed.
  • Have an initial yet full version of your thesis completed by the end of the 5 weeks of this semester. Send this first full version to your committee members and request feedback within a few weeks or a month. At this point, all of the main mathematical content of your thesis should be done.
  • Edit your thesis as needed. Use the input from your committee members. Perhaps send the revised draft back to your committee for one last review.
  • Schedule a preliminary library formatting review 30 days before the thesis submission deadline and prior to having committee members sign the Signature Page.
  • A few weeks before the end of the semester, schedule the final library formatting review and schedule an appointment with the Graduate Studies office to submit the thesis.
  • Finish writing the thesis before the last week of classes.
  • After successfully defending your thesis, request that your thesis advisor submit the Report of Culminating Experience online form on your behalf.
  • Pay thesis fees at the Student Accounting & Cashiering Services office.
  • Submit approved thesis for binding. Typically, this must be done by the Wednesday of finals week at the latest. Do it before then.

Timeline for Comprehensive Exam Option

Please note that the comprehensive exam option is available only for Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics.

Summer (3rd to last semester)

  • Find professors to write the different portions of the Comprehensive Exam for you. Ask for reference materials and sample problems.
  • Start studying.

Fall (2nd to last semester)

  • Take classes as needed. Note that 30 units (28 units from courses plus 2 units of MAT 6970 taken in your last semester) must be completed to satisfy the requirements for the Comprehensive Exam option.
  • Study for your classes and for the Comprehensive Exam.
  • Schedule your exams, using input from the instructors. Contact the Math and Stats department (mathstat@cpp.edu or 909-869-4904) for assistance in securing an appropriate room.

Spring (last semester)

  • Take classes as needed, including 1 unit of MAT 6970. The Graduate Coordinator can help you fill out the form to set up MAT 6970. Again, 30 units (28 units from courses plus 2 units of MAT 6970) must be completed to satisfy the requirements for the Comprehensive Exam option.
  • Apply to graduate in the current semester. This should be done in the first week of the semester. See Important Dates and Deadlines
  • Follow the Graduate Studies Office's Final Checklist.
  • Revise your graduate contract as needed.
  • After passing both parts of the comprehensive exam, request that the Graduate Coordinator submit a Report of Culminating Experience form on your behalf.
  • Take any remaining portions of the Comprehensive Exam, as scheduled.