Coterminal Master’s Degree
Only currently matriculated undergraduate students at Stanford University are eligible to apply for the Coterminal Master’s Degree.
The Department of Mathematics accepts applications to the Coterminal Master’s Degree. We do not have many students pursuing this degree; typically at most one student at any given time, usually none. The appropriateness of this degree program should be determined individually for each student and depends on the student’s background in mathematics and future educational and career goals.
The Coterminal Master’s Degree in Mathematics is intended for students who have a strong background in undergraduate mathematics. This background is evidenced by successfully completing, with a grade of A- or better, at least 4 courses offered by the Stanford Mathematics Department numbered 101 and above, and at least 1 course from an introductory Math graduate series at Stanford, such as Math 205ABC, 210ABC, or 215ABC. These courses must be completed before the application is submitted. The Master’s Degree requires a minimum of 5 to 6 graduate-level Mathematics Department courses and students must be adequately prepared for this coursework before starting the degree program.
Students who would like to pursue a PhD in Mathematics are advised to apply directly to such programs rather than to the Coterminal Master’s Degree.
Prospective applicants must meet with the Director of Graduate Studies prior to submitting an application. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss your background in mathematics, the requirements for the Master’s degree, and your reasons for wanting to apply to the Coterminal Master’s Degree, to determine if this is a good option for your educational and career goals. Please email the Director of Graduate Studies to set up a time to meet well in advance of the application deadline. Please note that approval to apply does not guarantee admission.
The selection of Coterminal Master’s Degree students admitted to the Department of Mathematics is based on an individualized, holistic review of each application, including (but not limited to) the applicant’s academic record, the letters of recommendation, the statement of purpose, personal qualities and characteristics, and past accomplishments.
Before submitting an application:
1.) Review relevant University and Department policy:
- University Registrar’s webpages about Coterminal Degree Programs to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Coterminal Master’s Degrees section of the Bulletin for University policy and procedures.
- Mathematics Department Master of Science in Mathematics section of the Bulletin for policy on transferring courses to the graduate career and the Master’s degree course requirements.
2.) Contact the Director of Graduate Studies to set up a meeting as described above.
Application:
The application is submitted online. Before submitting an application, prospective applicants must first complete the two items listed above.
Application Requirements:
- 2 Letters of Recommendation from Stanford faculty
- Statement of Purpose which describes your reasons for applying to the Master’s program and your future educational and career goals
- Current unofficial Stanford transcript
- Before submitting an application, applicants must have successfully completed, with a grade of A- or better, at least 4 courses offered by the Stanford Math Department numbered 101 and above, and at least 1 course from an introductory Math graduate series at Stanford, such as Math 205ABC, 210ABC, or 215ABC
- GRE scores are not required
Application Deadlines:
Admission to Winter 2023/24: November 1, 2023 (application opens mid-September)
Admission to Spring 2023/24: February 1, 2024 (application opens December 1, 2023)
Admission to Summer 2023/24: Applications not accepted for this term
Admission to Autumn 2024/25: May 1, 2024 (application opens March 1, 2024)
Please note:
Letters of Recommendation are required by the application deadline.
Applications are not accepted after the quarterly deadline.
Application Decisions:
Applicants can expect to receive an admissions decision approximately 2 weeks after the application deadline.
Responding to Offer of Admission:
If admitted, the response to the offer of admission should be sent to: mathstudentservices [at] stanford.edu (mathstudentservices[at]stanford[dot]edu).