Graduate Program

A Community of Scholars

We offer a traditional master's degree and doctoral degree in mathematics. Students interested in working in the areas of algebra, analysis, geometry/topology, and application of mathematics will find excellent faculty and research groups in which to participate. At any given time, we train over 40 doctoral and 20 master's students, as well as several visiting graduate students from all over the world. For the Ph.D. program in Mathematics, the application deadline is December 1, 2024. The Master’s in Mathematics deadline is January 15, 2025.

Our graduate programs are designed to give our students a broad perspective in advanced mathematics through a solid foundation of fundamental courses. With numerous standard and special topics graduate courses offered each fall and spring semester, not to mention numerous seminars and colloquia, there is always something of interest for everyone. If you would like to be added to our mailing list to learn more about our program please sign up using our Inquiry Form.

Doctoral Program

The Department of Mathematics offers a comprehensive doctoral program in mathematics. The completion of the doctoral degree requires about five years of full-time study, and virtually all students receive full financial support (stipends and tuition waiver) during their study.

Master's Program

The Department of Mathematics offers a master's degree in mathematics. Master's students do not receive any financial support, and the completion of the degree requires one to two years depending on the course load.

Program Requirements

MA in Mathematics

The minimum residence requirement is one full academic year of graduate study. Thirty-six semester hours of graduate-level course work is required, with or without thesis, but six units may be for thesis research. If the department consents, a student may transfer up to six hours from other universities. A grade point average of "B" or better must be maintained in graduate course work.

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MA in Statistics

Thirty-six units of coursework are required and an optional thesis by discretion of the Statistics Committee. Three units may be for thesis research. The minimum residence requirement is one full academic year of graduate study. A grade point average of "B" or better must be maintained in graduate course work.

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Accelerated BA/Master's Program

The Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences has an accelerated BA/Master's program in which highly qualified undergraduate majors can earn both the BA and MA degrees with two additional semesters work (usually a total of 5 years). The department offers the MA degree in mathematics or statistics.

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PhD in Mathematics

Completion of the PhD requires four full years of graduate study (72 hours), with at least 48 hours spent in residence at Washington University. The student must spend at least one academic year as a full-time student.

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PhD in Statistics

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Graduate Student Support

Financial Support & Fellowships

All current full-time students in our doctoral program are financially supported, and we do not burden our graduate students with heavy duties as teaching assistants. Students have considerable time and freedom to pursue their education.

Financial Support Information

PhD Program Outcomes

Our PhD graduates explore an array of research topics, and go on to find success with a wide variety of academic and professional pursuits.

PhD Program Recipient Listing

Research Areas

Our faculty conduct research and offer advanced courses in various aspects of analysis, geometry, topology, algebra, probability, and statistics.

More about our Research

Graduate Student Resources

Here are a few resources to help you get started. Don't see what you're looking for?
see ALL GRADUATE STUDENT RESOURCES

Mathematics & Statistics Degree Program Requirements

chart your path to your master's or doctoral degree

Graduate Application Information

learn about application requirements and procedures

Thesis Template

LaTeX thesis template, prepared by PhD alum Yao Xie

search more resources

Ready to apply?

The Mathematics Department at Washington University in St. Louis will start accepting applications for fall 2025 graduate programs in early September 2024.

For the Mathematics Ph.D., the application deadline is December 1, 2024. The Mathematics Master’s deadline is January 15, 2025.

All application materials must arrive by the deadline.

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