Yi HU - Graduate Program Info

Are you interested in the Master of Science in Mathematics at Georgia Southern University? Welcome!

In order to make it easy for us to follow your progress, we recommend that you correspond with the Graduate Program Director (GPD), Dr. Yi Hu, early in the application process. Although your online application will trigger steady correspondence from the University, it is the GPD that can give you the most accurate information regarding your application.

The following Q&A gives you an overview of the application process. If you have additional questions, please email the GPD.

(Updated: Sept 2, 2025)

◆ Program Overview

◆ Application for Admission

◆ Graduate Assistantships (GAs) and Out-of-Country Tuition Waiver

◆ Enrollment and Travel Documents

◆ Admission Deferrals

◆ Program Overview

Q: Where is Georgia Southern University?

A: Georgia Southern University is the largest and most comprehensive center of higher education in the southern half of the State of Georgia. We are designated as both a Doctoral-Research (R2) university by the Carnegie classification and as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity university by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).

Georgia Southern has multiple campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville, etc. Currently, the M.S. Mathematics program is offered on the Statesboro campus.

Q: What options does your M.S. program offer?

A: Our M.S. Mathematics program has two concentrations:

Mathematics — This concentration focuses on pure and applied mathematics.
Statistics & Data Science — This concentration focuses on mathematical statistics and applied statistics.

Each concentration has a thesis option (research and thesis required for graduation) and a non-thesis option (no research or thesis).

Q: What are the degree requirements?

A: You will need to complete 36 credit hours in the program of study. All graduate courses are 3 credits so you will need to take 12 courses. In general, students are expected to complete their graduate study in four semesters (two years).

All graduate students in our program are required to take three core courses:

MATH 7231 — Advanced Numerical Analysis I
MATH 7234 — Advanced Linear Algebra
STAT 7331 — Mathematical Statistics I

If your concentration is Mathematics, you also need to take:

MATH 7331 — Real Analysis
MATH 7430 — Abstract Algebra I

If your concentration is Statistics, you also need to take:

STAT 7134 — Applied Regression Analysis
STAT 7332 — Mathematical Statistics II

In addition, if you choose the thesis option, then you will need to take:

MATH/STAT 7895 — Research
MATH 7999 — Thesis (defense required)

Non-thesis students shall not take the Research or Thesis courses.

◆ Application for Admission

Q: Am I eligible to apply? What background do you expect from applicants?

A: You should have a Bachelor's degree in mathematical discipline from a regionally accredited college or university, or an equivalent degree from a recognized foreign college or university. (Domestic undergraduate students in their senior years are expected to obtain their degrees before the entry term.)

You may also be eligible if your degree is in science or engineering disciplines and you have taken a decent amount of math courses, including calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and some proof-based courses (e.g. analysis/advanced calculus, modern algebra, modern geometry, combinatorics, number theory, etc.)

Q: Can I still apply for your graduate program if I already have a graduate degree from another university?

A: Yes, you can. Your application will be evaluated in the same way as others.

Q: What application materials should I submit?

A: You should submit the following materials:

Complete transcripts (from all previous universities/colleges attended)
Complete résumé
Two letters of recommendation — Recommenders must be from academia (colleges or universities) and must have academic interactions with the applicant. Recommenders must use their official academic email accounts.

International students may also be required to submit the following materials:

Language test score — This is required if your native language is not English. The minimum accepted scores are 75 on the internet-based TOEFL, 537 on the paper-based TOEFL, or 6.0 on the IELTS. The official TOEFL or IELTS scores may not be more than two years old. Other language test scores (e.g. Duolingo English Test) are not accepted.
Transcript evaluation — International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES-accredited evaluation service. The evaluation must include a course-by-course evaluation with a GPA.

Q: I am an international student but I could not get my international transcript evaluation right now. Can you waive it for me? Or can I use my official international transcript instead?

A: No. According to the Office of Graduate Admissions, international transcript evaluation cannot be waived. Your application will not be sent to our program for review if your international transcript evaluation is missing.

Q: Do I need to secure an academic advisor before I apply?

A: No. Usually math graduate students choose their academic advisors after they come to Georgia Southern. However, you are welcome to browse the faculty directory for potential thesis advisors.

If you are a non-thesis student, then you do not need a thesis advisor.

Q: I am ready to apply! Where should I start?

A: All applications are online through the Office of Graduate Admissions. You can start here.

Q: On the Office of Graduate Admissions website I saw there is a $50 non-refundable application fee. Can you waive it for me?

A: Our department does not handle application fees. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for such requests.

Q: What are the application deadlines?

A: For Fall admissions, the priority deadline is February 1, and the final deadline is July 1. For Spring admissions, the priority deadline is September 1, and the final deadline is November 15. For Summer admissions, the deadline is May 1.

◆ Graduate Assistantships (GAs) and Out-of-Country Tuition Waiver

Q: Does your department offer any financial support for graduate students?

A: Depending on funding availability, our department may offer a limited number of math GAs on a highly competitive basis among all applicants. The academic year support includes full tuition waiver plus stipends for Fall and Spring semesters. We do not guarantee math GAs for all admitted students.

Summer GAs depend on further funding availability and are not guaranteed for anyone.

Q: I am interested in math GAs. How should I apply?

A: You do not need to apply for math GAs separately. All applicants will be considered for math GAs. If you are offered a math GA position, our department will email you with further instructions.

The Graduate Committee will start to screen applications and offer math GAs after the priority deadlines, so it is recommended that you submit your complete application before the priority deadlines for full GA considerations. (Indeed, you are highly recommended to submit your application early, as sometimes the Office of Graduate Admissions may need a processing time of five to 10 business days due to the volume of applications being received.)

Q: Besides math GAs, are there any other financial supports? How can I apply?

A: Our department only offers math GAs now. The College of Graduate Studies may have some available GAs posted here (updated constantly), and if you are interested you should follow their instructions to apply.

If you'd like, you can fill out the online GA application here (login required). Please note that turning in this GA application does not guarantee an assistantship from us will be granted. We do not look at the online applications until after we've decided to offer you a math GA position. However, you are also welcome to reach out to other units (Academic Success Center, Honors College, Alumni Association, other academic departments, etc.) if they have assistantships to offer.

Q: What are out-of-country tuition waivers for international students? Can I apply?

A: Georgia Southern awards a limited number of out-of-country tuition waivers to graduate international students who demonstrate outstanding academic standing, financial need, and commitment to the University and community. Students who receive this award pay in-state tuition rates and fees. You can find more info here. If you plan to apply, please keep in mind the deadlines.

◆ Enrollment and Travel Documents

Q: I've accepted the admission to Georgia Southern! How do I register for courses?

A: You can visit the Course Schedule website for MATH/STAT graduate courses by selecting the followings:

Semester: Select your entry semester
Subject: Select "MATH Mathematics" if you search for math courses, and select "STAT Statistics" if you search for stat courses
Campus(es): Select "Statesboro" and "Online"
Advanced Search → Level: Select "Masters Level and Specialist"

Then click Search . Your choice of courses needs to be approved by the GPD, and if approved, we will register you for the courses.

Q: I am an international student. Where can I find necessary info on I-20, visa application, housing option, etc.?

A: You should check the info for newly admitted students prepared by the Office of International Student Admissions and Programs (ISAP). You are welcome to reach out to the ISAP if you have questions related to international students.

◆ Admission Deferrals

Q: I accepted the admission but I could not come to Georgia Southern this time due to unforeseen circumstances. How should I submit my deferral request?

A: Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for deferral requests.

Q: If I am awarded a math GA position, can I also defer it along with my admission deferral?

A: Unfortunately, no. Future math GAs depend on funding availability, and we are not able to promise anything at the moment of your admission deferral. However, you will still be considered for math GAs in the future.

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