Springfield, Ohio – ­Wittenberg University’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science has announced a new partnership with Miami University that allows Wittenberg students to complete both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years. The new program will give qualified Wittenberg math majors preferential acceptance to the graduate program at Miami and save students almost a year of coursework.

“This is an excellent option for our students,” said Adam Parker, chair, department of math and computer science at Wittenberg. “The master’s program in the department of mathematics at Miami University has a proven track record of preparing students for both industry and further doctoral graduate work. Having preferential acceptance to a program that increases earning potential and marketability is a great opportunity for Wittenberg math majors.”

Agreements have been worked out for Miami University’s M.A. in mathematics, M.S. in mathematics, and M.S. in applied mathematics. Interested students will spend three and one-half years at Wittenberg, during which time they must complete at least 116 Wittenberg credits, including their general education requirements and specific coursework in mathematics. After that they will spend one and one-half years at Miami completing their mathematics coursework, written exams and a master’s project.

As an added bonus, students will be eligible for assistantships in the fall of their fifth year at Miami. Interested students should contact their math advisor early, and stay in touch with the math graduate program at Miami.

The framework for such partnerships between Wittenberg and Miami was created by the respective administrations in the spring of 2015, but it was up to individual departments to create agreements for their majors. The math partnership is among the first of what is hoped to be many such agreements.

“We were excited to hear about the agreement between Wittenberg and Miami,” said Doug Ward, professor and director of mathematics graduate studies at Miami. “A number of talented Wittenberg students have gone through our master's program in the past, and we would love to strengthen the connection between our departments.”