The master's degree in mathematical sciences prepares you for a career in industry or in the teaching profession and provides a solid foundation for a PhD program in any of the nation’s leading universities.
The degree offers concentration in actuarial science, mathematics, and statistics giving you the option of pursuing a wide range of career and PhD study paths.
Concentrations
Build advanced skills in mathematics, statistics, finance, and analysis with a graduate concentration in actuarial science. You’ll develop the expertise to evaluate uncertainty, analyze data, and help organizations make informed financial decisions.
Coursework in actuarial mathematics, probability, statistics, and data analytics supports preparation for professional actuarial exams given by the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuarial Society. Graduate ready to pursue actuarial careers in insurance, finance, consulting, government, and other data-driven industries.
Ball State University’s Actuarial Science program has been designated as a Center of Actuarial Excellence (CAE) by the Society of Actuaries (SOA)—a prestigious recognition held by only 25 universities in the U.S. as of August 2025. This distinction reflects our program’s strong curriculum at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, dedicated faculty, industry engagement, and commitment to actuarial research and professional preparation.
The mathematics concentration provides students with a broad graduate-level mathematical background suitable for community college teaching, for pursuing a PhD degree in the mathematical sciences, or for seeking employment in business, industry, or government.
You'll have the option to explore topics such as algebra, topology, measure theory, and complex variables while developing strong analytical and problem-solving skills. A maximum of four 500-level courses will count towards meeting the requirements for this concentration.
Build advanced skills in statistics, analysis, and statistical modeling with a graduate concentration in statistics. You’ll develop expertise in regression, statistical learning, probability, and computational methods while gaining experience conducting research.
Prepare for careers as a statistician in business, industry, or government. This concentration also builds a strong foundation for pursuing a PhD in statistics.
Program Requirements
This program consists of 30-33 credits of graduate-level courses and allows students to choose between a thesis and non-thesis degree option.
- Master of Arts – requires a three-credit research methods course
- Master of Science – requires a six-credit thesis
Students pursuing the thesis option must follow the departmental thesis guidelines (PDF).
For a complete list of all courses for the Actuarial Science, Mathematics, and Statistics concentrations and their description, please see our Graduate Catalog, where you’ll find full details for the master's degree in mathematics sciences.
View Catalog Master of Arts View Catalog Master of Science
What It’s Like to Pursue a Master’s Degree in Mathematical Sciences at Ball State
Along your mathematical journey, you will be guided by faculty who are not only experts in their fields but are also committed to teaching and mentoring students. Our faculty members are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge and emphasize individual student attention.
The program is designed to take two years. Most graduate students take three courses at a time, although those with graduate assistantships frequently only take two courses.
When you enroll, you will be assigned a graduate advisor to plan a program that matches your background and your interests.
A graduate assistantship is a part-time job designed to benefit you professionally.
Assistantship compensation includes a majority waiver of tuition costs (some fees still apply) and a stipend.
Typical graduate assistant work assignments are class instructor, Learning Center tutor, computer lab assistant, or research assistant.
All graduate assistants must enroll for at least six but no more than 12 hours of graduate credit each semester.
Paying for Your Education
A graduate assistantship is an excellent opportunity to gain meaningful professional experience while helping cover the costs of your degree. Learn more.
Ready to Apply?
Are you interested in pursuing this degree? Then you will need to meet our admissions criteria and apply.
More Information
If you would like to learn more about this program or about Ball State’s Graduate School in general, please complete our online form to request more information. Or, if you’d like to speak with someone in our department directly by phone or email, please contact us.