Admission and Application Instructions

The K-State Mathematics Department is accepting applications for the PhD and Master Programs in Mathematics for Fall 2026. Full consideration will be given to completed applications received by January 8, 2026, for International applicants and February 1st, 2026, for domestic applicants.

In most cases an applicant to the PhD program or the M.S. program should have completed work in mathematics equivalent to that required for a Bachelor's Degree at Kansas State University.

Admission is granted upon approval by the Graduate Program Advisory Committee (GPAC), the Department Head, and the Graduate School. Students pursuing graduate studies are enrolled in the Graduate School and are subject to the policies as outlined in the Graduate School Handbook, as well as the regulations of the Department of Mathematics.

In order to apply you will need to fill out an application to the Graduate School. The application is filled out online and submitted electronically: Graduate School Application.

The materials required to apply for a PhD or MS in Mathematics from K-State:

1. Resume.

2. Statement of Academic Objectives. This is a short (no longer than 2 pages) statement where you tell us about your passion for math, your research interests and academic aspirations as well as your teaching and research experiences. Feel free to mention the names of faculty members you would like to work with in the event you are attracted to their research fields.
   

3. Three Letters of Recommendation. You will need to supply the names and email addresses of three recommenders. There is no required form for these letters.

4. All Transcripts. If your transcripts are not from a U.S. university, be sure these include your name, name of school attended, title of courses, dates (semester/year) taken, marks received and an official seal and/or signature of authorized faculty from that school.

5. Affidavit of Financial Support. (For international applicants only.) See below for more details.
6. English Language Exams. (For international applicants only.) See below for more details.
7. Application fee. An application fee of 65 USD for domestric sudents or 75 USD for international students is required by the Graduate School.
8. OPTIONAL: Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. Mathematics reporting code for GRE is 0703. Kansas State University ETS reporting code is: 6334. Copies are accepted for review.

You will have the option of requesting a teaching assistantship within the application. Both Masters and Ph.D. students may apply for support.

Application Deadlines

Applications may be submitted at any time and will be considered until positions are filled; applications received before the following deadlines will be given optimal consideration.

	for fall (August) enrollment	for spring (January) enrollment
International	January 8	August 1
Domestic	February 1	September 1

Affidavit of Financial Support

Each international applicant must indicate the source of financial support while attending Kansas State University. Ability to provide financial documentation has no bearing on the admission decision. It is necessary for the issuance of an I-20 or DS-2019.

If you are awarded a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, the stipend provided by the K-State Mathematics Department along with the in-state residency fees, full tuition waivers in the Fall and Spring Semesters, and affordable health insurance programs available to graduate students will provide sufficient funds to meet the requirements of the Affidavit of Financial Support.

English Proficiency Requirements

For admission purposes, English proficiency test scores are required if English is not your native language and you are not a US Citizen or Permanent Resident. Specific countries exempt from this requirement are listed here. Valid scores accepted are TOEFL, PTE, and IELTS. We do not accept ‘Duo Lingo’ or TOEFL IPT. If you received a degree from an accredited US college or university, test scores are not required. If your scores are below the required minimum, you may be eligible for the Pathway Program.

Test	Minimum score
IBT TOEFL (internet based)	79*
IELTS academic test	6.5*
Pearson Test of English (PTE)	58

*Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA):
Any non-native English speakers, whether a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or international student, who are offered a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) must meet the following speaking requirements:

• minimum score of 50 on the TSE (Test of Spoken English), or
• minimum score of 50 on the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK), or
• minimum score of 22 on the speak section of the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), or
• minimum score of 7 in the speak portion of the IELTS test.

Mathematics code for TOEFL is 72. Kansas State University ETS reporting code is: 6334.