Frequently Asked Questions

Application FAQs

Q: What is the application deadline? 

A: The application review for the fall application cycle begins on December 15. All applications completed by this date will be reviewed in the first round. The application remains open throughout the spring semester, with rolling review for applications completed after the initial deadline.  

 

Q: What are the required application materials? 

A: The completed application includes transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities, a resume/CV, and three recommendation letters. Applicants have the option to submit a cover letter or purpose statement detailing their interest in graduate study in the department. International applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency.  

 

Q: Are GRE scores required for admission? 

A: No. GRE scores are not required as part of a completed application. Any submitted scores are not considered part of a complete application.  

 

Q: What are the English proficiency requirements? 

A: English proficiency standards are set by the university, not by the department. The most common demonstrations are a Duolingo score of 100, a TOEFL score of 79, or an IELTS score of 6.5. Additionally, having a degree from a US institution or completing two consecutive years of study in the US also satisfies the requirement. Applicants from countries on the English proficiency-exempt list must provide proof of citizenship to qualify for the exemption. Please visit the Grad School’s website for more details.  

 

Q: Can I get an application fee waiver? 

A: No. We cannot waive or pay the application fee for any applicant. We must maintain consistency in the applications for all interested parties. 

 

Q: What financial support is available? 

A: All applicants to the MS and PhD programs are considered for admission and teaching assistantships. Teaching assistantships include a monthly stipend (starting at $2,000) and remission of most tuition fees; however, students are still required to pay some tuition each term. Additional recruitment fellowships from the College of Arts and Sciences or the Graduate School may be offered to supplement the assistantship. The department offers competitive scholarships, which are awarded annually in the spring semester.  

 

Q: How long are assistantships? 

A: Master’s students can be supported for two years. Doctoral students can be supported for five years. Students must maintain good standing in the department to continue receiving assistantships.  

 

Q: Do I need to contact a faculty member before applying to secure funding? 

No. Faculty members who are not on the Graduate Committee are not involved in the review of applications or funding decisions.  

 

Q: I have X qualifications. Am I eligible for admission (or funding)? 

A. There are no minimum qualifications for admission or funding. All applicants are holistically evaluated for both. The average GPA of students admitted with funding has consistently been 3.67.  

 

Q: What is the application review process? 

A: All completed applications are reviewed by the Graduate Committee. The committee is composed of faculty members from each of the department's research areas. Applications are reviewed holistically by the Graduate Committee; each committee member may prioritize different parts of the application. There is no minimum GPA for admission or funding. 

 

Q: What is the application review timeline? 

A: The fall application cycle begins at the beginning of October when the grad school opens the application. All applications completed by December 15 are guaranteed to be reviewed in the first round. First-round admission and funding decisions are typically sent out before the end of January. The application remains open throughout the spring semester, and applications received after the initial deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis.  

 

Q: Who do I contact for help with the application? 

A: For questions about the program requirements, please contact the department (math.dept@ttu.edu). For technical assistance with the application, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office (graduate.admissions@ttu.edu).  

 

Program FAQs 

Q: What graduate programs does the department offer? 

A: The department has a PhD in Mathematics with five study tracks. There are two Master of Science programs in math and statistics, both of which have thesis and non-thesis options. The Graduate Certificate in Mathematics is an 18-hour program designed for students who wish to supplement an existing graduate credential and meet the requirements for teaching undergraduate mathematics.  

 

Q: What are the PhD tracks? 

A: The five tracks that students can select from are: Pure Math, Applied Math, Statistics, Mathematical Finance, and Math Education. Each track has its own coursework requirements.

 

Q: How many hours is the PhD program? 

A: The doctoral program is a 72-hour degree. All PhD students must complete 60 hours of coursework and a minimum of 12 hours of MATH 8000-Doctoral Dissertation.  

 

Q: What are the PhD coursework requirements? 

A: Each of the five tracks has its own required coursework. Much of the required coursework consists of courses that correspond with the Doctoral Preliminary Exams. Students should be able to finish the required coursework by the end of their third year.  

 

Q: What is the Doctoral Preliminary Exam requirement? 

A: The preliminary exams are the first major milestone in the doctoral program. Each student must pass three different exam subjects; one of the exams must be in the “pure math” areas (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Algebra, Topology, ODE, or PDE).  

 

Q: How long do students have to complete the Doctoral Preliminary Exam requirement? 

A: Students who enter the doctoral program with a master’s degree in mathematics or statistics must pass their three exams before the beginning of their third year. Students who enter without a master’s degree must pass their exams before the start of their fourth year.