Do you enjoy math and working with kids? That’s probably why you are here. Earning a Master’s Degree in Math Education is a great way to do what you enjoy. You can easily become a math teacher after earning this degree. Once you become a teacher, you can influence many young people by providing them with a great education.
Not interested in working with kids? Don’t worry, there are plenty of other job opportunities with this degree. You can do anything from tutoring to research to sales consulting. If you are a math wiz, earning a Master’s Degree in Math Education will benefit you in pretty much any career you want to start.
Earn Your Master’s Degree in Math Education Online
Earning an online Master’s Degree in Math Education is a great way to start or advance your career without sacrificing your life as it is now. For many students, going to school involves leaving their job, dedicating years of their lives to studying, and spending a lot of money. Online schools help you avoid a lot of that by offering flexibility, fast-track options, and lower tuition costs.
Most online programs do not require students to set aside hours of their day to attend class. Instead, lectures are generally pre-recorded or put into some form a presentation for students to watch on their own time. Assignments are generally given at the beginning of each week, due at the same time every week. This allows students to study when they have the time and energy.
Completing a master’s degree can take a long time. You can only fit so many courses into your schedule because there are only so many hours in a day. But, in online settings, you can fit extra courses into our schedule more easily. Most schools also offer opportunities to fast-track your degree. This gives students the option to take accelerated courses and earn their degrees much faster than usual.
Arguably the best aspect of online degree programs is the lower cost. In many schools, the cost of tuition is lower for online courses than on-campus courses. This is especially true in community colleges. Even if tuition is the same, online students cut back on a lot of expenses that go into on-campus degrees: parking passes, gas, eating out, etc. When you don’t have to drive to school, you don’t have to pay for a campus parking pass, you save on gas money, and you are less likely to eat out because you will be home more often.
Online courses are definitely beneficial to many students, but they aren’t for everyone. Some find it more challenging to learn in an online environment. The key to being successful in online programs is to realize that you will likely need to develop new skills and stay focused on your goal. And, if they don’t work for you, you can always transfer to an on-campus program.
Top Online Programs for a Master’s Degree in Math Education
Choosing the right school to earn an online degree is important. In order to be given a quality education, you will want to make sure the school you choose actually has a good program in your field of study rather than just having the program available. Luckily, we are here to help you. Here are some of the top Master’s Degree in Math Education online programs that you can enroll in.
University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo offers a Master’s Degree in Mathematics Education. This program can be completed entirely online, on-campus, or as a hybrid combination. Designed to meet all student needs, this program caters to non-traditional students to make their learning easier. The University at Buffalo’s program focuses on the education of K-12 students and culminates with a capstone project. Students of this program can graduate in as little as one year.
Drexel University
At Drexel University, students can earn a Master of Science (MS) in Mathematics Learning and Teaching. This program is fully online and takes the unique approach of having students make videos of themselves teaching to submit for grading. This ensures they are actually ready to graduate and become teachers without forcing on-campus visits. In order to be admitted into this program, students will need to be certified to teach either middle school or high school math.
Western Governors University
At Western Governors University, students can enroll in a Master of Arts (MA) in Teaching Mathematics. This program is offered at an accelerated rate, helping students to graduate faster than average. Students enrolled in this program will complete all coursework entirely online, but will be required to complete an in-person teaching observation and student teaching experience. Prior to graduation, students also complete a 12- to 20-week long demonstration to display their abilities to a mentor and supervisor.
East Carolina University
East Carolina University offers an online Master’s Degree in Mathematics Education. This program is designed to be completed by working professionals, making it easy for students to attend part-time and graduate in two years. In this program, students are able to choose between concentrations in elementary, middle, and high school education. Prior to graduation, students are required to complete a research-based capstone project.
Regent University
At Regent University, you can enroll in a Master of Education (MEd) in K-8 Leadership in Mathematics Education. This program can be completed totally online and prepares students for teaching math to elementary and middle school students. Before completing this degree program, students participate in hands-on teaching as part of a professional project.
Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University offers an MS in Mathematics Education that is totally online. This program is designed for professional teachers who are hoping to advance their careers and enhance their teaching style. Northern Arizona University’s program helps prepare students for teaching in high school and college environments, as well as preparing them for pursuing a doctoral degree.
Lesley University
At Lesley University, you can earn an MEd in Mathematics Education online. Students of this program will learn how to teach math to students in 1st through 8th grade. To provide a more interactive learning experience, courses are formatted to include many discussion boards and video chats. Students in this program will also be completing it at an accelerated pace, meaning they will graduate faster than usual.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The University of Nebraska at Lincoln offers a totally online Master’s Degree in Science and Math Education. This program is designed for teachers currently teaching 7th- through 12th-grade students. To keep up with modern times, courses adapt regularly to include the latest developments in math and science education. Prior to graduating, students of this program will be required to complete a capstone project and a comprehensive final exam.
Iowa State University
Iowa State University offers an online Master’s Degree in School Mathematics. This program is designed to prepare students for teaching secondary math and focuses on improving skills in algebra, statistics, calculus, and geometry. While the majority of the courses are offered online, students are required to complete all of the core courses on-campus for this program, offering a hybrid format. This is good for anyone interested in online classes but not quite sold on them.
University of the Cumberlands
The University of the Cumberlands is a very low-cost option for earning an online MA in Education. To make this a math education degree, students can enroll in the teacher leader (math) track, which creates a math education specialty.
Any of these colleges would be a great choice to earn a Master’s Degree in Math Education online. It is important to decide exactly what career you plan to go into and choose the degree program that is best suited for that career.
For someone who wants to go into research, North Arizona University’s program may be the best option, while for someone hoping to teach high school math, East Carolina University’s program may be best. Whichever path you decide to take, a degree from any of these universities will help you get the job of your dreams.
What Can You Do with a Math Education Master’s Degree?
With a Master’s Degree in Math Education, you qualify for quite a few jobs other than simply being a math teacher. While being a teacher is an awesome career, it may not be what you want to do for the rest of your life. Luckily, you will have options like becoming a math education researcher or a research scientist instead.
If you are interested in working more on your own, you could consider becoming a math tutor. Depending on your interests, you could work with anyone from elementary school kids to college students. Working as a math tutor, you can have more flexibility in setting your own hours and work schedule.
You could also become a program manager for special education initiatives. Doing this would allow you to use your knowledge of mathematics as well as your teaching skills to create special education programs for students who require different styles of teaching and learning.
These are just a few of the many jobs you are able to get with a Master’s Degree in Math Education. Depending on your experience level, you can easily earn a six-figure salary with this degree. Earning this degree is a gateway to many opportunities.
Conclusion
Earning a Master’s Degree in Math Education is a great decision if you are interested in both mathematics and teaching. While there are many different careers available for those with this degree, becoming a math teacher is the most popular. But, for those uninterested in actually teaching, you can do anything from managing education programs to research.
Going the route of an online degree may be intimidating, but with the option to study on your schedule, continue working, fast-track your degree, and potentially save a lot of money, the benefits really do outweigh the risks. It may take some adjusting to an online format, but once you get into the groove of things, you won’t regret earning your Master’s Degree in Math Education online.
Master’s Degree in Math Education FAQs
Courses vary depending on the type of math major. However, some of the basic courses that are covered in almost every program include foundations of math, calculus, modern geometry, college algebra, and research in mathematics.
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The short answer is yes, earning a master’s degree online is worth it. As long as you are willing to make sure the degree you earn is from an accredited institution and meets the requirements of potential employers, it is totally worth it.
To become a math teacher, you will need to earn a degree in math that includes a teacher preparation program. Many employers will also require a teaching certificate or teaching degree.
After earning your degree, you need to complete a student-teaching internship, preferably with the grade level you plan to teach. Then you will need to pass your state’s teaching tests, apply for a teaching credential, and start applying for teaching jobs.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary of math teachers is around $60,320. The range of salaries is anywhere between $39,740 and $97,500.
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