The thesis option requires a written thesis, 6 credit hours of thesis research, and 24 additional graduate credit hours in acceptable courses numbered above 400. Of the 24 additional graduate credit hours, 6 may be in areas outside the department and 15 must be in mathematics courses numbered above 500.

The project option requires 30 graduate credit hours in acceptable courses numbered above 400. Of these 30 graduate credit hours, 21 (at least 15 of which are in mathematics) must be in courses numbered above 500. Of the 30 graduate credit hours, 9 may be in areas outside the department. This option requires that a written final examination be passed and 3 credit hours be received for a reading course (MATH 598) in which a term paper or project is required.

The course-work option requires 30 graduate credit hours in acceptable courses numbered above 400. Of these 30 graduate credit hours, 21 (at least 15 of which are in mathematics) must be in courses numbered above 500. Of the 30 graduate credit hours, 9 may be in areas outside the department. This option requires that the student pass two written examinations with a PhD level score as required in the PhD program.