A math education degree allows you to study core mathematical concepts as well as pedagogical methods for teaching math to students. This can be a strategic degree path for those who are passionate about mathematics and want to pursue teaching licensure.
In addition to coursework, an online math teaching degree that has a licensure track will also include classroom observations and practical teaching experiences to help prepare you for a career in the classroom.
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Majoring in math education can also be useful for math-related careers outside of the classroom.
Online Math Education Degrees
Mathematics education degrees focus on teaching you how to teach mathematics at the primary or secondary level.
Most math education majors want to become math teachers elementary school, middle school, or high school. As such, the coursework in this type of program focuses on that outcome. You’ll typically learn the foundations of the different areas of mathematics, such as:
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Geometry
- Statistics
In addition to math courses, students take classes in different areas of teaching and education pedagogy, such as:
- Classroom management
- Lesson planning
- Diverse classrooms
- Teaching math in the classroom
- Teaching students who are not proficient in English
Most math education programs also include a teaching licensure track. To qualify for licensing, you’ll complete teaching observations and student teaching experiences in addition to coursework.
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Most graduates who pursue teaching licensure end up in the classroom, teaching math to students of different ages and dealing with classroom issues. Math teachers are needed in both private schools and public schools.
Earning a mathematics education degree could also be beneficial for other jobs that do not involve teaching. For example, some graduates may pursue entry-level roles in curriculum development, helping to design school curriculums and develop standards of instruction.
There are a range of math-related roles outside of education as well, such as actuaries, operations research analysts, and data scientists.
Math Education Careers & Salaries
A math education bachelor degree can help prepare you for jobs both inside and outside of the education field. Many graduates pursue teaching licensure to work in private or public schools as math teachers at the elementary, middle school, or high school level.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the education, training, and library field is expected to grow by 7% over the next ten years.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Actuaries | $113,990 |
| Mathematicians | $112,110 |
| Data Scientists | $103,500 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $95,390 |
| Operations Research Analysts | $85,720 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $66,490 |
| High School Teachers | $62,360 |
| Middle School Teachers | $61,810 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $61,690 |
| Tutors | $36,680 |
If teaching is not to your liking, there are other careers that you may pursue. For example, some graduates pursue roles in curriculum development to help design math curriculums and standards for students and teachers. Another occupation to consider with a math education degree is that of a data scientist, analyzing data and statistics for various purposes.
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Operations research analyst is another potential career path for math education majors. These workers use math to help organizations evaluate their processes and make informed decisions.
Bachelor of Math Education Curriculum & Courses
Accredited universities will follow similar curriculums for math education degrees, though course names and offerings will likely be different from school to school.
Here are some examples of courses that you may take in a math education bachelors program:
- Diverse Classroom Management: This course looks at the theoretical and practical aspects of managing a classroom in a critical manner to better help students.
- Technology Applications: This class explores the ways to integrate sophisticated mathematics technology into the classroom.
- Calculus: Likely given in a series of courses, you can learn to master the fundamentals of calculus.
- Geometry: This course overviews the fundamentals of Euclidean geometry as well as some non-Euclidean geometry.
- Algebra: This course or series of courses looks at linear algebra and other subjects related to the field.
- Statistics: This class looks at statistics and probability as well as their applications in a variety of fields.
- Teaching Mathematics in School: This course explores the pedagogies and ways of teaching mathematics topics in the classroom.
- Measurements and Standards: This course teaches you how to measure and assess student progress in the classroom.
- Lesson Planning: This course teaches you how to design and implement structured lesson plans for a class.
- ESOL Math Teaching: This course explains strategies for teaching students who are foreign or have limited proficiency in English.
In addition to your classes, you may also conduct teaching observations and complete student teaching to work toward teaching licensure.
Admissions Requirements
Even though each program will set its own specific admissions requirements, here is a list of some general criteria for math education programs:
- High school or GED transcripts. Most colleges want your school transcripts to see your complete classwork and your cumulative GPA.
- Standardized test scores. Though this has become less common, some colleges still want SAT or ACT scores submitted.
- Personal essay. Some colleges and universities ask you to submit an essay answering a question posed to you for admission.
It’s beneficial to review the unique admissions requirements of your prospective schools.
Accreditation
To ensure that the math education program you pursue is up to educational standards, it’s beneficial to enroll in a college or university that holds regional accreditation.
Regional accrediting agencies evaluate postsecondary schools and ensure that they provide quality faculty, student services, and educational offerings. Earning a degree from an accredited university could also be a prerequisite for graduate programs and employment opportunities.
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To see if the colleges you are applying to are accredited by credible organizations, you can visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s website.
Math Education Licensure and Certifications
Every state has its own licensing and certification requirements for math teachers. To qualify for licensure, it’s often necessary for you to pass an exam demonstrating your competence in the subject and to complete a certain amount of time observing and student teaching.
In addition, obtaining a teaching license also requires the completion of a relevant bachelor’s degree program. Many math education programs include the process of earning a teaching license as part of their curriculum. Some states may have other, alternative methods for students to obtain teaching licenses. These alternative paths are handled by each state’s education department.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
There are many sources of financial support that help qualifying students pay for the upfront costs of their college education.
One of the largest sources of support is federal student aid in the form of student loans, grants, and work-study programs. To apply for federal aid, you can visit Federal Student Aid website and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Individual states can offer student aid programs as well.
Scholarships are another source of financial support for students who qualify. These monetary awards can be granted directly from schools as well as outside organizations. Each scholarship will have different eligibility requirements and application processes.
What Can You Do with an Online Bachelors Degree in Mathematics Education?
There are a variety of careers that you can pursue after earning an online bachelor degree in teaching math. For example, many graduates go on to pursue teaching licensure to teach mathematics at the elementary, middle school, or high school level in private or public schools.
Others work to develop math curriculum. While being an instructional coordinator often requires a masters, a bachelors may help you qualify for entry-level roles. Studying the field of mathematics can also help you qualify for positions outside of education. For instance, mathematics majors may pursue work as actuaries, data scientists, and operations research analysts.
Still others decide to persue a graduate degree and enroll in an on-campus or online masters in math education degree program.
Are Math Teachers in Demand?
Teaching is an important profession that will always be necessary to educate others, especially for more technical subjects like math. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not predict job data specifically for math teachers, but overall employment for education, training, and library occupations is expected to continue seeing steady growth.
High school teachers are projected to see 5% job growth over the next ten years, and 4% job growth is expected for middle school and elementary school teachers over the same period (Bureau of Labor Statistics). These growth rates are as fast as the average for all occupations.
What Can I Do with a Math Education Degree Besides Teach?
Becoming a math teacher is the primary end goal for many students who earn a math education degree, but this area of study can also help you qualify for a range of careers outside of teaching.
Some alternate career paths include:
- Instructional coordinator. These professionals design curriculums and standards for students.
- Data scientist. These professionals use statistical methods to analyze data and then present their findings.
- Operations research analyst. These professionals use mathematical models to understand and evaluate an organization’s processes and recommend improvements.
Studying mathematics could lead to a range of additional occupations as well.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Math Education Online?
The time it takes to get a degree in math education depends on a variety of factors, including your program’s schedule and curriculum as well as your own availability. If your university follows a traditional 16 week semester and you are able to study at a full-time pace, then it will typically take 4 years to complete your bachelors.
If your online program follows an 8 week semester schedule and you are able to study full-time and year-round, then you might be able to finish your degree in less time. Other factors, such as student teaching, may influence the degree’s completion time as well.
Is a Bachelors in Math Education Degree Worth It?
Yes, a bachelors in math education degree is worth it for many students. Your coursework could ground your knowledge in the fundamentals of mathematics as well as teaching. Many programs offer teaching licensure tracks as well.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7% job growth for education, training, and library occupations over the next ten years. Studying mathematics could also help you qualify for non-teaching professions, such as data scientist, operations research analyst, actuary, or financial planner.
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Overall employment for math occupations is expected to grow by 29% over the next ten years (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Math Education Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Bellevue University offers a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics program online. A specialization is available in Secondary Education. Common courses include Introduction to Programming, Discrete Mathematics, and Abstract Algebra. The program aims to teach skills needed to develop meaningful mathematical and statistical models and to conduct in-depth data analysis.
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Grand Canyon University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Math Education. The program is intended to prepare for initial secondary education licensure with a specialization in mathematics. The curriculum tends to teach concepts like pedagogical theory and data-driven instructional methods for teaching geometry, algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and discrete mathematics.
Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Indiana University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. The program is designed to help prepare for entry into careers such as K to 12 mathematics teachers and college math instructors. Admissions are typically offered on a rolling basis, and the completion of at least 120 credit hours is required.
Indiana University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Liberty University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Education in Mathematics Education for Grades 6 to 12. This program consists of education courses, practicum courses, math courses, and student teaching. Classes are typically 8 weeks long each. On average, the program is completed in 3.5 years when studying full-time.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Louisiana State University–Alexandria offers a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics program online. Potential courses include Fundamentals of Mathematics, Introduction to Computer Programming, Advanced Calculus, Elementary Differential Equations, and Abstract Algebra. The program aims to provide the knowledge and skills that may lead to employment as a high school teacher.
Louisiana State University at Alexandria is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Mayville State University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in Mathematics Education. The program is designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and techniques essential for teaching mathematics at the secondary level. The program spans 122 credits, but pursuing additional subject areas or middle school certification can take an additional 24 credits in the content area.
Mayville State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
McNeese State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences program online with a concentration in Math Education Grades 6 to 12. The program aims to teach the mathematical sciences and educational practices necessary to be a successful math teacher, including planning, instruction, technology implementation, and classroom engagement needed in today’s classrooms.
McNeese State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Miami Dade College offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Math Education. The program typically teaches topics like general teaching skills, linear algebra, discrete math structures, methods of mathematics, and mathematics history. The 120-credit curriculum typically takes 4 years of full-time study to complete.
Miami Dade College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Midway University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with an option to specialize in Mathematics. The program is designed to help qualify for certification to be a teacher in Kentucky. The average class size is 17 students, which commonly allows for more interaction with faculty and classmates.
Midway University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Ottawa University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics program online with a concentration in Secondary Mathematics Education. The program is designed to help learn calculus, algebra, geometry, statistics, and computer programming. The program aims to teach how to identify and be sensitive to the unique needs, challenges and learning styles of diverse student populations.
Ottawa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Massachusetts–Lowell offers a BS in Mathematics with a Math Teacher concentration. Potential courses include Number Theory, Mathematical Problem Solving. Abstract Algebra, Geometry, and History of Mathematics. Up to 90 of the 120 required credits may be transferred in from accredited outside institutions. On average, the program can be completed in 36 months.
The University of Massachusetts – Lowell is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of North Dakota offers a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics program online. Typical subjects taught include Applied Math, Combinatorics and Cryptology, Probability and Statistics, Curriculum Development, and Mathematical Analysis. New admissions are typically offered for fall, spring, and summer terms.
The University of North Dakota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Valley City State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education program online. The program aims to help prepare for entry into careers such as middle school math teacher, curriculum and instructional designer, and educational math specialist.
Valley City State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Western Governors University offers an online program for a BS in Mathematics Education. The program is designed to prepare for mathematics instruction and initial teacher licensure in most states. Potential courses include Managing Engaging Learning Environments, Mathematics Learning and Teaching, and Fundamentals of Diverse Learners.
Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Getting Your Math Education Degree Online
If you have a passion for mathematics, then earning a math education degree online could help you advance your math expertise while learning how to teach the subject to others.
As a math education major, you can study many areas of math as well as various teaching methods and practices. Many programs also have teaching licensure tracks. Graduates may use this degree path to teach in K-12 settings, to pursue graduate studies, or to enter math-related positions outside of education.
You could start exploring accredited schools today to see which online math education programs best match your interests and goals.
