Masters in Mathematics

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Program Overview

‌Because of its beauty, precision, and usefulness, mathematics has always attracted not only the most profound and theoretical minds, but also pragmatic thinkers who are eager to apply its insights to the problems of the world around us.

Fairfield University's Master's Degree Program in Mathematics is designed for students who have a strong undergraduate background in mathematics or a related field, or evidence of an ability to think precisely and quantitatively at the level necessary for graduate work in mathematics.  Our program caters to students in many different situations, including, but not limited to, teachers at the middle, high school and two-year college levels, business professionals whose work is quantitative in nature, IT and software professionals, those who deal with and analyze data, students desiring solid preparation for entrance into a doctoral program, and those who are simply attracted by the beauty of mathematics.

Full-time Fairfield University faculty members teach in the Master's Program, bringing a wealth of expertise to the classroom.  The breadth of their specialties, together with their commitment to excellence in teaching and making a difference in individual students’ lives, enriches the program and the options available to students. This benefit translates into an ability to allow our students to design individualized programs of study, in consultation with a faculty advisor, related to their background, interest, and personal goals.

The curriculum features a common core of six credits, plus six credits of proof-intensive coursework, supplemented by a series of electives that make specialization possible.  Because our program caters to working adults, classes mostly meet one evening per week during the fall and spring semesters and are available in the summer, as well.

 

Requirements & Curriculum

The MS in mathematics requires completion of 30 credits. These include a 12 credit core and six electives totaling 18 credits including a final capstone project. In consultation with a faculty advisor, each student designs an individualized program of study meeting his or her needs.

Required Courses

Linear Algebra
Real Analysis
Two (2) Proof-Intensive courses
Six (6) Mathematics elective courses
Capstone

A detailed list of course requirements, offerings, and more can be viewed in the University’s course catalog.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Fairfield University also offers a four-course Certificate in Financial Mathematics, as well as a four-course Certificate in Applied Statistics. Each program is designed with the busy professional in mind and combines individual attention, a deeply committed faculty, and a focus on the whole person to meet you where you are and give you the skills you need to achieve your professional goals.

College of Arts & Sciences Admission

The MS in Mathematics program welcomes students of ability with a strong undergraduate background in mathematics or a related field such as computer science, engineering, physics, finance, economics, or certain social sciences. Students who hold a bachelor's degree in any field from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent) are encouraged to apply.

Accelerated Master's Degree

Eligibility

  • Mathematics majors may apply with a minimum Major GPA of 3.2
  • Completion of at least 96 credits prior to the start of fall senior year

Admission Requirements

  • Online application available at fairfield.edu/applynow
  • $65 admission fee (waived for current students)
  • Fairfield University transcript (obtained by the Office of Graduate Admission)
  • A letter of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Copy of resume

Timeline

  • Students should speak to their academic advisor during their junior year to express interest in the accelerated program.
  • Qualified undergraduate students can register for up to two graduate courses during their senior year.
    • These classes will be covered through full-time undergraduate tuition
    • Graduate classes cannot count towards fulfillment of the undergraduate degree.
    • During their senior year, students should submit an official graduate application to gain admission to the full graduate program.

Stag Spotlight

Jonathan Gryak headshot

Jonathan Gryak

MS'09

Get to Know Jonathan

Jonathan Gryak MS'09
Title: Infrastructure Manager
Employer: Westport Public Schools
PhD student in Computer Science, CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY

I am currently the Infrastructure Manager for the Westport Public Schools, overseeing the district’s IT infrastructure, including: voice, data, and video networks; email; server hardware and software; as well as building automation and environmental monitoring.

I am also a PhD candidate in Computer Science at the CUNY Graduate Center, performing research in the fields of non-commutative cryptography and computational group theory.

Why did you choose to attend the math graduate program at Fairfield University?
I was looking to advance my studies in mathematics, in part for my own edification, but also to help me determine if I wished to pursue a PhD. Fairfield offered a program that allowed me to pursue my interests, and with evening classes made it possible to fit into my work schedule.

What are/were the best academic aspects of the program?
I greatly appreciated the flexibility the program afforded me to study the subject areas in mathematics that I was interested in.

Describe a project or problem in your work or life where you used what you learned in the math graduate program.
The group theory and other algebra learned in the required courses have assisted me in my current research in non-commutative cryptography. Moreover, I was introduced to the field during my capstone project, under the direction of Prof. Fine, who continues to be an active researcher in the field.

What attributes regarding the faculty did you find particularly helpful and encouraging?
When courses weren’t available in subjects I was interested in, a number of faculty members agreed to mentor me in independent studies. They challenged me with non-trivial problems and provided guidance throughout the course.

What were some of the challenges in going back to school as an adult student?
The primary challenge was working and studying concurrently, but the evening courses and the flexibility to choose the number of courses per semester helped mitigated this issue.

Describe an anecdote or experience with a particular professor that you found helpful or meaningful.
Knowing my potential interest in academia, Professor Fine invited me to a weekend conference on group theory held at Fairfield, where I was introduced to many mathematicians working in the field. I was struck by how collaborative mathematics can be, and by the depth and warmness of the long-term personal relationships that such collaboration engenders. It was such a contrast to how the work of academics in general and mathematicians in particular is perceived, and enabled me to envision myself pursuing a PhD and making a life for myself in academia.

More About MS in Mathematics

Message from the Director

Read the Message

Message from the Director

‌Because of its beauty, precision, and usefulness, mathematics has always attracted not only the most profound and theoretical minds, but also pragmatic thinkers who are eager to apply its insights to the problems of the world around us.

Fairfield University's Master's Degree Program in Mathematics is designed for students who have a strong undergraduate background in mathematics or a related field. Our program caters to students in many different situations, including, but not limited to, middle- and secondary-school teachers, those seeking to teach in two-year colleges, business professionals whose work is quantitative in nature, students desiring solid preparation for entrance into a doctoral program, and those who are simply attracted by the beauty of mathematics.

Full-time Fairfield University faculty members teach in the Master's Program, bringing a wealth of expertise to the classroom. The breadth of their specialties, together with their commitment to excellence in teaching and making a difference in individual students’ lives, enriches the program and the options available to students. This benefit translates into an ability to allow our students to design individualized programs of study, in consultation with a faculty advisor, related to their background, interest, and personal goals.

The curriculum features a common core of 12 credits, supplemented by a series of electives that make specialization possible. Because our program caters to working adults, classes mostly meet one evening a week during the fall and spring semesters and are available in the summer, as well.

As director of the graduate program in mathematics, I invite you to peruse the course descriptions and faculty credentials that follow and join us in a more focused study within the field I so enjoy.

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

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Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

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As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Fairfield is dedicated to diversity and inclusion; to radical hospitality in service of racial, social, and economic justice.

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Career & Professional Opportunities

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Career & Professional Opportunities

Fairfield University's M.S. in Mathematics graduates have gone on to diverse professional fields, including:

  • Education - Middle School, Secondary School, and Community College
  • Engineering
  • Finance and economics
  • Actuarial science
  • Business forecasting
  • Biomathematics

Recent employers/institutions include:

  • Columbia University
  • Monroe Public Schools
  • Westchester Community College
  • Barnum School, Bridgeport
  • Cornell University
  • QuEST Engineering
  • George Mason University
  • Noble Americas
  • Connecticut Speed School
  • Greenwich Public Schools
  • Fairfield Prep
  • IBM
  • Gen Re Intermediaries
  • Fairfield Public Schools
  • Strategas Securities, LLC
  • New Haven Public Schools
  • Weston Public Schools
  • DePaul University
  • EDR, Inc.

Learn about how Fairfield's Career Center can support your post-graduate goals, and how Fairfield's tight-knit alumni network can build career and mentoring opportunities that last a lifetime.

Visit the Career Center

Faculty

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Faculty

The College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University is home to a vibrant community of engaged faculty, dedicated staff and passionate scholars devoted to the process of invention and discovery and excited by the prospect of producing knowledge in the service of others.

Meet the Faculty

Frequently Asked Questions

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications are reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee.

Applicants should have completed a Calculus sequence, Linear Algebra and an introduction to proof-writing course at the undergraduate level. Applicants who have not completed this coursework should contact the Program Director, Dr. Mark Demers, in order to discuss an individualized plan of study.

The GREs are not required. We do look closely at your academic record and other application materials. Generally, we like to see that you have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. If your GPA is lower than 3.0 but you would like us to consider your application, you may include with your application a statement that explains your GPA and why you are confident you will be able to maintain the required 3.0 GPA in your graduate studies.

The Math program is billed by credit and is a total of 30 credits. Current tuition and fees for our graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences can be found on the Tuition & Fees page.

Our programs are designed to accommodate students who want to attend part-time because most of our students are working at least part time. Some of our students attend full time, however.

Courses are offered during 4 semesters per year: fall, spring, summer 1 and summer 2. During the fall and spring semesters, most courses are offered in the evenings from 6:30 – 9 p.m. once a week.

Our classes are small, with 10-15 students per class.

No, but you need a significant number of undergraduate credits in mathematics including at least a year of calculus.

The program can be completed in two academic years.

To be considered for financial aid, Fairfield University requires students to complete a FAFSA form. For further information on financial aid, visit the Office of Financial Aid.

A limited number of part- and full-time University assistantships are available to assist promising and deserving students.

For information about admission, contact gradadmis@fairfield.edu. For information about the program, contact Mark Demers, Program Director.

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