Admission to Graduate Program

Prerequisites for admission

The prerequisites for admission to our graduate program are:

• an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a program of study in mathematics;
• a record of achievement that shows strong promise of success in graduate school, including a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average in undergraduate studies and a 3.0 grade-point average in mathematics; and
• coursework in abstract algebra, linear algebra, and advanced calculus or introduction to analysis (comparable to KU's MATH 500, 558, and 590.)

It is beneficial to have some preparation in probability/statistics (comparable to MATH 627/628) and/or numerical analysis (comparable to MATH 581). Although not required, we also recommend that applicants take introductory courses in complex analysis (comparable to MATH 646), differential equations (comparable to MATH 647), and/or topology.

Application materials

The General GRE test and the Mathematics Subject GRE are optional. Applicants may submit GRE scores, but it is no longer a requirement. 

The following materials must be submitted online:

• Transcript from each college or university the applicant has attended,
• Applicant's résumé/curriculum vitae,
• A list of textbooks used in the applicant's mathematics courses beyond calculus (please include authors),
• A statement of purpose indicating the applicant's mathematical preferences and interests, and
• Three letters of recommendation, submitted directly by the recommenders.
• In addition, international applicants need to fulfill the University’s English language requirements.
• (Note: GRE is optional. Similarly, the Mathematics Subject GRE is optional.)

Non-Degree Seeking. Students who are interested in enrolling in graduate-level coursework in the Department of Mathematics without formal admission to a graduate program at KU are encouraged to apply as a non-degree-seeking student. Those choosing this option will need to upload their past transcript(s), other application materials are not required.

Application fee

For domestic students, the fee is $65. For international students, the fee is $85. For certificate-seeking and  non-degree seeking, the fee is $30. We do not offer application fee waivers.

Admission process

All applications should be submitted online. In general, graduate students are admitted in the fall semester. Our program and course sequences are designed with that in mind. The Graduate Committee of the Department of Mathematics evaluates the candidates and makes recommendations to the Graduate School regarding admission. The number of students admitted into the program changes from year to year and admissions are made on a competitive basis. We consider candidates only after all application materials have been received.

There are no additional application forms for financial support; students are considered for support based on merit.

Most PhD students accepted to the program receive an offer of financial support as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA). Nevertheless, the number of GTA positions available is limited and sometimes we cannot offer GTAs to all the students we admit.

Although the admission process continues until the deadlines stated below we start making GTA offers by mid-to-late February.

Students with extremely strong mathematics background may be admitted in the spring semester. The admission procedure is otherwise the same as for the fall semester. It is much more difficult to get a GTA in the spring semester since most are awarded in the fall.