Skip to main content

Department of Mathematics

4 + 1 (B.A. + M.A.) Program

4+1 PROGRAM IN MATHEMATICS

The 4+1 program allows you to complete a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years by beginning to take graduate courses during your senior (fourth) year.

For a general overview of the 4+1 program in the College of Arts & Science, click here.

Here are specific details for the 4+1 program in mathematics:

Admission

  • Who Should Apply?

Students interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in mathematics with one year of study beyond their Baccalaureate degree should apply.

  • When to Apply

Candidates will apply during their junior year.

  • Minimum Requirements

In order to be considered for this program, students will need to have completed (or be enrolled in courses leading to the completion of) the requirements for a minor in mathematics at Vanderbilt in the semester when the application is made and achieved a grade point average in the mathematics courses taken at Vanderbilt of 3.3 or higher.

  • Before Applying

Before beginning the application process, candidates are encouraged to discuss the program with the Director of Graduate Studies.

  • Application Material

Applications will be completed with the Graduate School. A complete application will include a transcript verifying that the candidate meets the minimum requirements, a completed application form, a statement of purpose, and at least three letters of recommendation addressing the candidate’s preparation for graduate study from instructors that are familiar with the candidate’s mathematical abilities with at least two of the references from the Mathematics Department at Vanderbilt. These materials relax the requirements of the Graduate School by waiving the GRE requirement.

Program Requirements

  • Baccalaureate Degree

Each semester prior to completing the requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree, a candidate must complete the minimum hours requirement set out by their undergraduate school.

  • The First Year (Senior Year)

In order to demonstrate sufficient progress in the program, by the end of their first year in the 4+1 program, a candidate must complete a minimum of 12 hours of courses approved for graduate credit in the Mathematics Department (a list of courses can be found in the Graduate Catalog) with a grade of C or better in each course and an average of 3.0 or higher in the courses used to satisfy this first-year requirement. These courses cannot be used to satisfy the minimum hours requirement for a Mathematics Major or for a Baccalaureate degree. Candidates must complete the requirements for a Baccalaureate degree by the end of their first year in the program.

  • Program Completion

After completing their Baccalaureate degree, candidates are subject to the academic regulations of the Graduate School (which can be found in the Graduate Catalog). In addition to the first-year requirements, a candidate must complete 24 hours of courses approved for graduate credit in the Mathematics Department with a grade of C or better in each course and an average of 3.0 or higher. Candidates must complete a minimum of 9 hours of course work in the Mathematics Department each semester with a grade of C or better in each course.

  • Degrees Awarded

A candidate who successfully completes the program will be awarded a Master of Science in Mathematics. e. Academic Regulations With the exception of the requirements listed here, candidates will be subject to the academic regulations of the Graduate School, which can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

Updated HC, Feb 13, 2024