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Master's Program FAQ: Courses and program information

This is a page devoted about the CCNY Math Master's Program addressing frequently asked questions about our courses and the program.

What are the courses?

There is a fair amount of flexibility in the program. The courses are primarily grouped into two groups: year-long sequences and electives. The year-long sequences have an A-level course offered in the fall and a B-level course offered in the spring. The electives are generally A-level courses which have only undergraduate-level prerequisites, and which do not have a second semester. A-level courses can be offered either term. The B-level courses are more advanced and generally have at least one mathematics graduate course as a prerequisite.

How long will it take to complete the Master's degree?

Most students take two years to complete their degrees, though full-time well-prepared students entering in the fall may complete the program in a year.

Students who enter the program in the spring semester may require an extra semester because of scheduling constraints.

Courses are generally offered on a two-year cycle, described below, which is good to consult for planning. Some students taking one course each semester finish in four years. Students taking two courses per semester often finish in two years. Students taking four graduate courses per semester who start in a Fall semester can finish in one year.

I appreciate the flexibility but it would be helpful to see some of the programs of study that students have completed for their degree.

Here are some sample graduate programs of study to serve as examples, reflecting different interests and paces through the program.

How are grades assigned in graduate courses?

Your instructor will inform you at the beginning of the term his or her method for computing grades. Although exams play a role in the evaluation, instructors will often give more weight to outside assignments than is done in undergraduate courses. Note that the lowest passing grade in graduate courses is a "C" and that you need a "B" (that is, 3.0) average in your graduate courses to be in good standing and to be awarded the Master's degree.

When is registration?

For continuing graduate students in good standing, web registration starts in May for the Fall semester and November for the Spring term and is ongoing. For new students and continuing students interested in in-person registration, see the  for dates. New students will need to meet with a Graduate Advisor before registering.

I'm having difficulty with the online registration - the system says that I don't have a prerequisite course but I really do. What should I do?

Contact the Graduate Chairs, as the system does not always recognize prerequisite courses that you have taken at CCNY, or equivalent ones at another institution. Furthermore, with the transition to the CUNY First system, there have been some adjustments.

Can I begin doing mathematical research for my Master's degree?

Generally the Master's degree in Mathematics does not have a research component. However, some of our faculty will provide Master's students with the opportunity to work with them on a research project, which may be credited towards the degree. If you are interested in doing such work you should consult directly with the faculty person with whom you wish to work, or consult the department graduate advisor. Such work is typically done through independent study courses.

Can a student in the Math M.S. program take undergraduate mathematics courses?

Yes, though these courses do not count toward the 30 graduate credit requirement. Taking undergraduate courses can be a required part if a student does not already meet the admissions requirements. Students may also want to take undergraduate courses to serve as prerequisites to graduate courses or to broaden their mathematical preparation. Though undergraduate courses do not count toward the 30 graduate credit requirement, they do appear on transcripts.

Can a student in the Math M.S. program take graduate math education courses?

No. The courses for these programs are quite different in scope from the courses for the Master's in mathematics. The Math courses taught as part of the various advanced certification programs administered through the School of Education are designed for students with different mathematics backgrounds and objectives than students pursuing the M.S. in Mathematics. On the other hand, a Master's in Mathematics would provide an excellent mathematics background for a career in secondary education, though a student would still need to complete various education requirements to obtain NY State certification. Details regarding teaching certification programs can be found at the School of Education website.

What will be the textbook for my graduate courses?

These vary from semester to semester as they are chosen by the instructor. To find out the textbooks for a given course, please consult CUNY First. If no textbook is listed, please consult with the instructor of the course.

I'm a graduate student having a hard time in a course. Should I drop the course or tough it out?

There are many concerns here, and this can be a difficult decision. You will want to talk to your instructor and/or the Graduate Advisor. But there are several important pieces of information to know and to factor into your decision:

• There are no "D" grades for graduate students, so getting a 69 grade will result in an F.
• If you retake a course, both grades (the grade you got the first time and the grade you got the second time) are counted in your GPA. This is different from the way that undergraduate GPAs are computeed, where (subject to some limitations) the new grade may replace the old grade.
• Given that a 3.0 GPA is needed to remain in good standing aore information is innd to graduate, getting a low grade can make things difficult for quite some time or result in immediate dismissal from the program. For example, a 4 credit F will require getting A's in 3 other 4 credit courses to balance out and bring the average GPA to 3.0, or it will require 5 A- grades or 11 B+ grades to return to a 3.0 average. Note that a typical student takes 8 courses to finish.
• Note that even a B- grade is a problem as that gives 2.7 grade points, below the required 3.0 GPA.

What is the comprehensive examination requirement?

Most commonly, the comprehensive examination requirement has been waived by the Graduate Advisor.

What about a foreign language requirement?

There is no foreign language requirement for the degree.

What are "mathematically based disciplines: where I can take some elective courses?

Courses in "mathematically based disciplines" include some scientific and engineering courses, some economics or finance courses are typical examples of applicable courses in mathematically based disciplines. Remember that for these to count towards the degree, they must be approved by the graduate advisor in advance and must have significant mathematical content, not merely be applications of undergraduate-level mathematics to a field of study. Students need to be in good standing to take courses offered by other departments and the courses need to fit into a coherent plan of study. It is not very common for students to take courses outside of the mathematics department offerings which have sufficient graduate-level mathematical content to meet the degree requirements.

I've already taken some related graduate courses in a mathematically-related discipline, can those count towards my mathematics MS degree?

No, those courses require prior approval of the graduate advisor so if they have already been taken, they cannot be used toward the MS degree.

I've already taken some graduate mathematics courses at another institution, can those count towards my mathematics MS degree?

No, the courses for the degree need to be approved by the CCNY graduate advisors in advance. Those courses may serve as prerequisites for other graduate courses- consult the graduate advisors for specific cases.

I'm very interested in a mathematics course that isn't offered at CCNY. What can I do?

One possibility may be to take such a course through the ePermit process, which is described on the  . Again, the first step is to discuss your plans with a graduate advisor. To count toward the CCNY degree, such a course needs to be at an appropriate level and there needs to be a compelling justification in each case. Furthermore, such a course needs to be approved in advance by a mathematics graduate advisor.

I'm interested in doing an independent study. how does that work?

The first step in an independent study is finding a faculty member who is willing to supervise it, and there needs to be a compelling reason for such an independent study. Once an instructor has agreed, he/she will need to complete the independent study form and email it to the graduate advisors. The form needs to be completed and submitted well before the term starts.

Approval is up to the discretion of the graduate advisors and the chair. In general, Master's level independent studies are only granted to students who have successfully completed several Master's courses in the department and have a graduate GPA well above 3.0.

I'm interested in the program but I missed the application deadline. What can I do?

Students in the situation of not applying in time for admission to the program may apply to become non-matriculated graduate students. That application is much less involved (just one page) and does not require letters of reference. Furthermore, unofficial transcripts are sufficient. Students who are accepted as non-matriculated students can take graduate (or undergraduate) courses and then apply for admission to the program in a subsequent term. Note that there is an absolute maximum of 12 graduate credits which can be counted towards a degree which can be taken while in non-matriculated status.

I can't find the non-matriculated application forms.

The non-degree application is linked to on CCNY's Admissions Forms and Documents page.

What happens if I take a semester off?

If you take a semester off, you need to pay a Maintenance of Matriculation fee. If you do not maintain matriculation by paying this fee, you will need to apply for readmission. See the Maintenance of Matriculation section of the bulletin.

FAQ: Miscellaneous and Administrative Aspects

What happens if my GPA drops below 3.0?

This is addressed in the Graduate Bulletin, which as of the 2021-2022 Bulletin says:

A student will be placed on probation if the grade point average falls below 3.0. The student may be removed from probation when the G.P.A. reaches 3.0.

A student will be dismissed if the G.P.A. remains below 3.0 for two semesters. Students may appeal their dismissal to the Committee on Course and Standing.

I think I've met all of the graduation requirements, what do I need to do to make sure that I graduate?

First, check with a Graduate Advisor to ensure you are meeting all of the program requirements. There are three possible dates for awarding degrees each year: February, June, or September. You apply for graduation through CUNYfirst. More information on how to apply and the deadlines are listed on CCNY's Applying for Graduation page, and those deadlines are rock-solid.

What is a good way of seeing what the course schedule will be?

To plan your courses, you can consult the .

Help, there's a graduate course I need but the registrar's page shows that there are no available seats! What do I do?

The registrar's course page doesn't account for additional students enrolling with the department's permission, and we are generally able to place math MS degree students in their appropriate needed courses even if that page shows no available seats. Check with a Graduate Advisor if you are unable to enroll yourself due to there being no available seats in a graduate mathematics course.

Help, there's a graduate course I would like to take but the system keeps saying I don't have the prerequisites when I really do! What do I do?

The registrar's system doesn't always recognize prerequisites and may be preventing you from enrolling in a course you have the prerequisites for. Check with a Graduate Advisor if you are unable to enroll yourself for enrollment. Note that under the CUNY First system, the advisors merely give permission for students to enroll in courses; the student must complete the enrollment themselves.

I'm a CCNY math grad student and I'd like to take a course at another CUNY institution, how does that work?

There is the CUNY ePermit process for taking courses at other institutions which can be appropriate in special situations. Check with a Graduate Advisor and note that this can generally only apply to A-level graduate courses, with rare exceptions for the more advanced Graduate Center courses. Even if approved by a Graduate Advisor, this can be a tricky process to navigate. Details on the process are provided on CCNY's E-Permit Instructions and Information page. Note in particular there are several restrictions:

• You must be a matriculated student. (In particular, you can not be a non-degree student.)
• You must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
• You must have already completed your first semester at CCNY. (Though, there has been at least one exception to this.)

For best results,

1. Contact a Graduate Advisor before starting the epermit process for approval.
2. Mention that your course has the approval of a math program Graduate Advisor in the comment box of your epermit application.

The course offerings at all CUNY campuses are available on CUNY First.

Note that the Graduate Advisor and the CCNY administration may be unlikely to approve ePermit courses without a compelling justification.

I'm interested in doing an independent study. How does that work?

Independent study courses are possible in situations where there is a compelling reason, such as a research project or studying an important mathematical topic that is not regularly offered via courses. The first step in an independent study is finding a faculty member who is willing to supervise it. Once that is set, you need to complete the independent study form and email it to the graduate advisor. This needs to be completed and submitted well before the term starts. Note that though the administrative course numbers for independent study courses typically start with "B" they are not considered B-level courses for the purpose of the degree requirements.

What's the independent study form?

Independent study information for registration

Email this to the graduate advisor. This needs to be completed and submitted well before the term starts. Note that though the administrative course numbers for independent study courses typically start with "B" they are not considered B-level courses for the purpose of the degree requirements.

I am international student needing a visa. Whom should I contact?

Graduate admissions has expertise in this area, and the  with offices in NAC 1107 is an excellent resource for international students.

How many credits do I need to be considered a "full-time" student?

This depends upon the purpose. For some visa considerations, full-time is considered to be 9 or more credits. For some financial aid and scholarship purposes, full-time is often considered to be 12 or more credits. Check with the appropriate office to determine what is relevant for your purpose.

I need to take a semester off, or want to return after a semester off. What should I do?

CCNY has an official policy about this which is described in the .

Failing to register for courses in the Fall or Spring semester is treated as a de facto withdrawal. Students who wish to maintain matriculation must pay the Maintenance of Matriculation fee. This is especially important if you wish to graduate in a semester you are not taking classes. In this case the Maintenance of Matriculation fee must be paid.

If you have taken some time off and not paid the fee(s), you need to apply for readmission by filing a Re-Entry Application which must be submitted several weeks before returning to take courses at CCNY. Deadlines are listed under the heading "Non-Degree/ Re-Admit" on CCNY's Graduate Programs and Deadlines Page. Contact the graduate advisors for assistance if you have difficulties with this process.

I'd like to get a small gift as a token of appreciation for my instructor or graduate advisor as that is a typical thing to do in my country. May I do that?

No, there are strict guidelines for gifts and CUNY has established a zero tolerance policy regarding gifts of any value from students to faculty. Faculty may be disciplined for accepting gifts, so do not put faculty in a position where they are likely to face disciplinary action.

I was conditionally admitted. Can I start taking graduate courses right away or do I need to wait?

Yes, possibly. There may be graduate courses offered which have the courses you may need to take (typically 32300 and 32404) as prerequisites which would not be good to take, but there may also be some graduate courses which do not require them or where it may be possible to take 32404 at the same time, as a co-requisite.

I was conditionally admitted. How long do I have to satisfy the conditions of my admission?

You have one year to satisfy the conditions of your matriculation, so do not postpone taking the required courses and doing well in them.

What happened to the undergraduate courses Math 32400 and 32500 and 31800? I saw some reference to them but I don't see them listed as courses now.

The old 3 credit Math 32400 (Advanced Calculus II) and Math 32500 (Advanced Calculus III) courses have been supplanted with a combined 4 credit course Math 32404. That course had been tentatively numbered Math 31800 (Multivariable Advanced Calculus) but from Fall 2009 onward it has its more appropriate number Math 32404 (Advanced Calculus II.)

I have more specific questions, when can I see a Graduate Advisor?

Check the Administrators Page for the Graduate Advisor office hours during registration and during the semester. No appointment is needed for visits during office hours, and the graduate advisors are happy to schedule appointments at other times if those hours don't work well.  mathgradchair@ccny.cuny.edu  is a good method of contacting the graduate advisors as well as for making appointments.

I'm a graduate student and I'm not getting email notifications from the Graduate Advisor.

We are currently sending emails to the address student's list as preferred email in CUNYFirst. If you would like them sent elsewhere, please update this address. Send an email to  mathgradchair@ccny.cuny.edu  if you are having issues.

Return to the graduate program page