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Mathematics, B.A.

Alex Moore teaching students in a classroom

Learn mathematics in our immersive, engaging, and innovative math program.

Explore a broad range of mathematical topics in applied and core mathematics as well as theory, and develop a job-ready skillset in our bachelor of mathematics program. Courses are inquiry-based, interactive, and exploratory. You will learn from passionate professors dedicated to providing you with a broad range of opportunities and creative coursework to challenge and hone your skills. Choose from a variety of courses, including concentrations in actuarial sciences or teaching, to tailor your degree to your career aspirations and personal interests. 

Available concentrations: 

Actuarial Sciences Concentration, B.A. 

Teacher of Mathematics Licensure (5-8), B.A. 

Teacher of Mathematics Licensure (8-12), B.A. 

Program Highlights

  • Courses feature active learning and discovery
  • Classes are small and meet the personalized goals of students
  • Program fosters community to learn and collaborate with peers
  • Pi Mu Epsilon Honor Society

Unravel mysteries, discover patterns, and find creative solutions using mathematics.

Are you ready to start earning your bachelor’s degree in mathematics?

Experience the wonder of mathematics

  • Math class visit outside with professor in a small group with two students showing them a measurement.

    Small, interactive classes

    You’ll learn in small classes of just 15 to 25 students. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your peers and receive one-on-one attention from your professor.

  • Students sit around large tables covered with balloon animals while working on an assignment.

    Active learning

    The math program’s interactive classroom facilitates exploration and collaboration in groups, active learning with mathematical manipulatives, and the development of interpersonal and teamwork skills.

  • Math professor working with a small group of three students who are working on a math assignment.

    Targeted specialties

    Engage with targeted coursework in concentrations like actuarial science or our secondary or elementary education program. This program for teacher licensure is nationally accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Program Details

Program Mission

Mission: The Westfield State Department of Mathematics supports students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in becoming active, competent mathematical thinkers who promote the central role of mathematics in the world around us. We are grounded in the liberal arts tradition; we develop our students’ understanding and appreciation of the role of mathematics in many other disciplines and the broad importance of the developments within mathematics itself. We offer students a diverse range of general-education courses that promote students’ skills in critical thinking, information literacy and analysis, integrative learning, and problem solving. We help our students thrive by teaching with supportive options that reach a broad range of learning and appeal to a variety of learning styles. We also offer robust intermediate and advanced coursework to prepare students for graduate study in advanced mathematics or careers in the actuarial sciences, statistics, education, data analysis, and newly-emerging fields such as data science. 

Program Vision

Vision: We strive to reach an even broader range of students with a diverse group of courses at every level that will simultaneously meet the needs of a liberal arts education and provide a thorough preparation for the use of mathematics in other disciplines. We will continue to offer and enhance our range of intermediate and upper-level course offerings that support programs in pure and applied mathematics, actuarial sciences, statistics, data science, and mathematics education. We will respond to the needs of a rapidly-changing workforce and employment opportunities by nurturing our programs and evolving them along with the modern needs of society. We will ensure our programs remain robust and sustainable with an expanding student population and a diverse faculty with varying experiences and areas of expertise. We will meet the ever-expanding nature of mathematics by implementing its contemporary growth into our courses, teaching, and scholarly activities. We will promote teaching methodologies that reach all learners and allow us to fulfill our public mandate to teach everyone.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Goals:

  • Students have the ability to explore and understand advanced mathematical knowledge.
  • Students effectively communicate mathematical ideas.
  • Students use the language of mathematical proof correctly and appropriately.
  • Students understand the interconnectedness of mathematics.
  • Students understand applications and real-world uses of mathematics.

What can you do with a bachelor’s in math?

Your bachelor’s degree in mathematics will provide the skills and knowledge you need to thrive in a wide variety of career fields. Our alumni are remarkable for the diversity of their professional career paths and for the significance of their accomplishments. Our alumni work in areas such as:

  • Business and finance
  • Data science and data security
  • Insurance and actuarial science
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Financial analysis
  • Information technology
  • Research
  • Statistics and consulting
Two students with laptops smiling in math class. One student is wearing a WSU sweatshirt the other a black sweatshirt.

Ready to learn more?

Course Requirements

Requirements for Mathematics Majors

Requirements - 54 Credits

Note:

No more than 6 credits of MATH 0399 and no more than 3 credits of MATH 0360 may be used to satisfy the math major.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core.

Get big school features with small school advantages.  

We offer high-quality academics, unique learning opportunities, and a gorgeous campus—and we have small classes, accessible faculty, and one-on-one support. 

You'll join fellow motivated students ready to make the most of the college experience through active participation. Become part of a caring and committed community that understands and embraces the bridge between academic study and civic responsibility.

  • Small Classes taught by full-time, tenure track faculty with a doctorate

  • Vast Opportunities to tutor both on and off campus 

  • Undergraduate research opportunities

Not your standard classroom experience

Our energetic and dedicated faculty are passionate about providing creative classroom instruction and active learning. You’ll master complex mathematical concepts through alternative educational experiences like portfolio creation, cooperative learning, guided discovery and problem solving, interdisciplinary perspectives, innovative faculty-developed coursework, community service, and more.

Contact Us

Jesse Johnson
Chair - Mathematics Department
Wilson Hall 328D

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to submit SAT/ACT scores or an essay when I apply?

Westfield State University does not require an application essay, SAT and/or ACT scores, or letters of recommendation (except for special program admissions).     

All first-year applicants are reviewed for admission based on their high school record. First-year applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) in order to qualify for admission to a state university.   

Learn more about the application process and admissions here.

How much does Westfield State University cost?

Westfield State University offers a comprehensive university experience at an affordable cost—with many options for financial aid. Visit our Cost and Aid page to learn more. 

What scholarships are available?

S-STEM scholarship is available to Incoming full-time first-year​​​​ Westfield State University students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, and Mathematics, with low-income status defined as Pell Grant eligible by the Financial Aid Office and an average GPA equal to or higher than 2.8, are eligible to apply.

Learn more

STEM-ACT is a program that provides scholarship support for Westfield State University STEM (Biology, Chemistry, General Science, or Mathematics) secondary education students that are passionate about social justice and advancing STEM education. Students are encouraged to apply in their sophomore year to be admitted to the program for their junior and senior years. 

Learn more

Will I receive academic support?

We’re invested in your success. Whether you need a little help adjusting to college, study strategies, tutoring, or disability services, the team at the Academic Achievement Department is ready to help. Our mission is to provide you with the tools to explore academic opportunities as well as to plot strategies for continued growth. Learn more about our student support services here.

Additionally, the Math Tutoring Center is available to anyone taking a math course at WSU.

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Mathematics, B.A.