Students who have not had the equivalent of MA 405 (Introduction to Linear Algebra and Matrices), MA 407 (Introduction to Modern Algebra), or MA 425–426 (Mathematical Analysis I and II) must make up these courses. Students who have not had the equivalent of MA 426 may take it for graduate credit by registering for MA 591M.

Select three one-year sequences from among the following.

• Each exam is written and graded by two faculty members.
• At the end of the Spring Semester, the two exam writers for a qualifying exam will come up with a study guide for the qualifying exams that year. That study guide will be given to the students in the course, and will be given to the DGP so that any students who wants to take the exam and who were not in the course will be able to prepare for the exam.
• Each exam is a three hour long written exam.
• It is recommended that students attempt at least one to two exams by the end of their first year. By the end of their second year (first year for students entering with a MS in Mathematics), students have to attempt a number of exams equal to the number of exams they have yet to pass.
• For each of the three examinations taken, the student is allowed one retake. The retake must be done within 12 months of the date the examination is first taken. If a student fails an examination twice they are considered to have failed the written qualifying examinations. The retake does not have to be the same exam as the one initially failed.
• The three qualifying examinations do not have to be taken at the same time. If the student takes fewer than three qualifying examinations at the first exam period, and if they do not pass one of those examinations, then the student must inform the graduate program director in writing before any subsequent examinations which examinations are to be considered as being taken for the first time and which are to be considered as retakes of an earlier failed test.
• The number of examinations taken at any given exam period cannot exceed the remaining number of passes need to reach a total of three.
• If an examination is failed and retaken later, the second examination must be considered a retake of the first.
• For part-time students, years will be counted using credit hours, with one year equal to 18 credit hours. For full-time students, calendar years are used. Students who start the graduate program in the spring semester should have a statement from the DGP put into their file specifying the date by which their exams must be taken. Depending on prior coursework, whether they are a transfer student, etc., it will be after three, four, or five semesters.