Admissions

The David and Judi Proctor Department of Mathematics at the University of Oklahoma is now accepting applications for Fall 2025. For more information, please see below.

Application Deadline

For Fall 2025 admissions, applications submitted by January 15, 2025 will be given full consideration. After this date, the graduate committee will review new applications through April or until all positions are filled.

Acceptance Deadline

Like most serious graduate programs, OU is a signer of the April 15 Resolution. Accordingly, the deadline for accepting an offer from us cannot occur before April 15. For more information, and to see which universities are signatories of this agreement, see April 15 Resolution.

How to apply

Applicants can apply one of two ways:

• To the Graduate College at OU (this method costs $50-100) or
• Directly to the Math Department (no fees).

To apply via the Graduate College, please see here.

To apply directly to the Math Department and avoid upfront fees, please apply via Mathjobs. Note, the application to the math department is much shorter, just 1 page:

• Application form, to be submitted at Mathjobs.

Entrance requirements for our programs may be found here.

Required Application Materials

• Electronic application (one of the above two methods)
• Statement of interest
• Resume/CV
• GRE scores are not required this year. However, we strongly encourage applicants to submit GRE scores so that we are better able to evaluate their application.
• Three letters of recommendation
  These should be from people familiar with your work in mathematics. Please encourage your letter writers to read our advice for letter writers.
• Transcripts
  These should be copies of your recent, official transcript.
• International students only:
  • Proof of English proficiency. You need a TOEFL (iBT) score of at least 79, an IELTS (Academic or Indicator) score of at least 6.5, or a PTE Academic score of at least 60. For more details, see here. Note, this requirement is waived for those from approved native English speaking countries, see here.
  • Financial support documentation will be need be submitted in the final application to OU, but not to the initial application to the Math Department. For more details, see here.
  • For all other Graduate College requirements for international students, see here.

All applicants will automatically be considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship.

Note, if you feel that your college experience, and hence your application, has been affected by the covid pandemic, you should make a short section in the statement of interest to address this point.

Useful suggestions

When you fill out your online application form, choose either the MS program (if you are interested in a terminal Master's degree), the MA program if you're interested in a PhD in mathematics and do not have a masters degree in mathematics, or the PhD program if you're interested in a PhD in mathematics and have a masters degree in mathematics.

Please note that we can not support international MS students with assistantships.

Being timely, thorough and complete will increase your application's chances of acceptance.

In particular, make sure your references submit their letters of recommendation by the January 15 deadline.

What comes next?

After January 15, the Mathematics Department's Graduate Committee will review all complete applications. You will be notified of the department's decision via e-mail. As long as you have not received any notification, it means that no decision has been made.

OU is a signer of the Council of Graduate School's April 15 Resolution. This means that, in case we make you an offer, we will not require your response before April 15.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an application fee waiver?

• As noted above under "How to apply", you may apply via Mathjobs without paying an up-front fee. If you are accepted into the program then we will need for you to apply to the Graduate Colllege and pay the fee. However, when you arrive in the Fall, we will then reimburse you for the amount.

Will you review my application materials before I submit my application?

• No. We do not review applications, or application materials, outside the normal application process. Please submit your application online and we will review it during the spring admissions season.

Do I need to secure the support of a faculty member before applying?

• No. Students are admitted to the program overall. There is no need to specify a potential advisor.

Where can I find the 1 page `departmental application' for Mathjobs?

• This is on the Mathjobs page before you click submit. It is also linked above.

Are assistantships reserved for PhD students only?

• No. For the MA/PhD program, all successful applicants will be offered a teaching assistantship. For the MS program, we offer assistantships for domestic students, but not international.

Is the stipend that comes with an assistantship enough to cover all living expenses?

• Yes, the stipend is designed to cover all living expenses under normal circumstances. You will also receive a tuition waiver and basic health insurance. See the tab "Financial Support" at the left for more information.

Is there a minimum GPA?

• No. All GPA's will be considered, but generally successful applicants possess a 3.0 cumulative GPA from their undergraduate and/or graduate work. For international students, this can be difficult to compute/convert and so we recommend you submit an application and let us convert the GPA as we are reviewing applications.

Is there a minimum GRE score?

• No. (The GRE is currently not required.)

I only took the general GRE, not the GRE subject test. Is this a disadvantage?

• No. The GRE subject test is not required. (The general GRE is currently not required either.)

I am unable to submit a complete application by January 15. Will I still be considered?

• Yes. Your application will be reviewed as soon as it is complete. However, please make an effort to submit all your materials as soon as possible.

Do you admit students for the spring semester?

• No, the starting date for all students will be in the fall semester.

I have an undergraduate degree from a foreign institution and am not sure whether this makes me eligible to apply.

• This is almost never a problem. If you are worried, you are welcome to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions in the Graduate College and they will be able to help you determine your eligibility.

Where can I learn more about the fees?

• Since only tuition is covered with your offer from us, knowing the fees is essential. You can learn more about the amount and how to pay fees by following these two links.
  • https://www.ou.edu/bursar/tuition_fees/calculator
  • https://www.ou.edu/bursar/bill_pay/payment_plans
  In the first link, be sure to select "Qualifying Graduate Assistant" at the top, use 9 hours for each semester, and select "College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate)".