Quick Facts
Next Start Date: January 6, 2025
- Delivery: 100% Online
- Major Credits: 30 to 32
- No GRE Required
- Three concentrations
If you’re in the early years of your math teaching career and thinking about earning a master’s degree, you’re probably looking for a program that will not interfere with your classroom routine. Moving miles to a university campus may be out of the question.
Ball State University offers a master of arts in mathematics education degree that you can earn 100 percent online with courses taught by the same engaged professors who teach on campus. Math education programs—particularly those in elementary education math—are few and far between in an online classroom.
Depending on the teaching license you hold and your experience, you can choose one of three master of arts in mathematics education concentrations:
- For Elementary and Middle School Teachers
- For Secondary School Teachers*
- For Elementary and Middle School Specialists. This concentration also provides preparation for Indiana teachers to earn the Indiana Elementary Mathematics Specialist license.
*Are you an Indiana secondary school math teacher seeking to become dual-credit credentialed? If so, check out the Hoosier STEM Academy Teachers Program that provides $1400 stipends to teachers who qualify once they successfully complete graduate-level STEM courses.
National Rankings
- Ball State is consistently highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report in best online graduate education programs.
- U.S. News & World Report ranks our Master’s Degrees in Education Programs 21st in the nation for best online programs for veterans.
- In 2023, Ball State University's online Master's in Math Education was named one of the ten best online master's in math education programs in the country by Forbes Advisor.
What Other Features Will You Find?
- Our degree covers areas identified and advocated by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
- You can finish the degree in two to three years.
- Online summer classes are available.
- If you’re uncertain about starting a complete master's program, consider a graduate certificate in elementary mathematics leadership. It's another way to earn a graduate-level credential but in a shorter time frame.
Leitze: Students Need Faculty Relationships to Make a Connection
“Without a relationship with the professor and classmates, many [students] do not feel comfortable reaching out to the professor—or classmates—for help.”
Read Her Story
Master’s in Math Student Creates Comfort Level in His Classroom
"Ball State understands the balance teachers are trying to strike between our careers, our home lives, and our course work," says Jason Adler.
Read His Story
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Course Requirements
Our master's degree in mathematics education is flexible enough to give you the experience and knowledge you need to meet your personal and professional goals.
Anticipated Course Schedule
View a schedule of course offerings (PDF) through summer 2027.
Courses in this degree are available online in either asynchronous online format, in which you work on weekly assignments at the times and places most convenient to you, or fixed-time online format. You can take courses all online or also on our main campus in Muncie, Indiana.
Concentrations
Review our concentrations to see what courses you will take:
For Elementary and Middle School Teachers
This 30-credit program is for applicants who hold an elementary, middle school, or special education teaching license and at least one year of teaching experience and is offered completely online.
Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (12 credits)
You will choose four of these courses.
- MATH 614 Algebraic Reasoning (3 credits)
- MATH 615 Number Concepts and Number Theory (3 credits)
- MATH 616 Rational Numbers and Proportional Reasoning (3 credits)
- MATH 623 Probability, Data Analysis, and Statistical Reasoning (3 credits)
- MATH 640 Measurement Concepts and Geometric Reasoning (3 credits)
Research and Pedagogical Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (12 credits)
- MATH 690 Curriculum & Instruction in Mathematics Education (3 credits)
- MATH 693 Teaching Mathematics through Problem Solving (3 credits)
- MATH 694 Research Methods in Mathematics Education (3 credits)
- MATH 696 Action Research in Mathematics Education (3 credits)
Electives in Content or Pedagogical Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (6 credits)
As approved by your advisor:
- MATH 614 Algebraic Reasoning (3 credits)
- MATH 615 Number Concepts and Number Theory (3 credits)
- MATH 616 Rational Numbers and Proportional Reasoning (3 credits)
- MATH 623 Probability, Data Analysis, and Statistical Reasoning (3 credits)
- MATH 631 Technology for Mathematics Teachers (3 credits)
- MATH 632 Assessment in Mathematics Education (3 credits)
- MATH 640 Measurement Concepts and Geometric Reasoning (3 credits)
- MATH 641 Topics in Geometry (3 credits)
- MATH 680 Special Studies in the Teaching of Mathematics (3 credits)
- MATH 695 Mathematics Learners and Learning (3 credits)
- MATH 697 Mathematics Teacher Leadership 1 (3 credits)
For course descriptions and prerequisites, view the course catalog.
View Catalog
For Secondary School Teachers
This 30- to 32-credit program is for applicants
- who graduated with an undergraduate major in mathematics or the equivalent background as determined by the Department of Mathematical Sciences,
- who hold a current secondary mathematics teaching license,
- who have at least one year of secondary mathematics teaching experience.
Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (12 credits)
- MATH 511 Abstract Algebra 1 (3 credits)
- MATH 570 Intermediate Analysis (3 credits)
- MATH 623 Probability, Data Analysis, and Statistical Reasoning (3 credits)
- MATH 641 Topics in Geometry (3 credits)
Electives in Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (3-8 credits)
As approved by your advisor:
- MATH 516 Theory of Numbers (3 credits)
- MATH 560 History of Mathematics (3 credits)
- MATH 612 Abstract Algebra 2 (3 credits)
- MATH 615 Number Concepts and Number Theory (3 credits)
- MATH 620 Probability and Random Variables (4 credits)
- MATH 621 Mathematical Theory of Statistics 2 (4 credits)
- MATH 645 Topology 1 (3 credits)
- MATH 677 Complex Variables 1 (3 credits)
Research and Pedagogical Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (12 credits)
- MATH 690 Curriculum and Instruction in Mathematics Education (3 credits)
- MATH 693 Teaching Mathematics through Problem Solving (3 credits)
- MATH 694 Research Methods in Mathematics Education (3 credits)
- MATH 696 Action Research in Mathematics Education (3 credits)
Electives in Pedagogical Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (0-3 credits)
As approved by your advisor from the following courses:
- MATH 631 Technology for Mathematics Teachers (3 credits)
- MATH 632 Assessment in Mathematics Education (3 credits)
- MATH 695 Mathematics Learners and Learning (3 credits)
- MATH 697 Mathematics Teacher Leadership 1 (3 credits)
For course descriptions and prerequisites, view the course catalog.
View Catalog
For Elementary or Middle School Mathematics Education Specialists
Our master of arts in mathematics education (for elementary and middle school specialists) not only earns you a master’s degree but also provides you with the preparation to earn the Indiana Elementary Mathematics Specialist license. The state of Indiana—like most states—requires that applicants for the Indiana Elementary Mathematics Specialist license pass a mathematics specialist assessment administered by the state. If you are not an Indiana teacher, check with your local district and/or state to see if it will accept the Indiana Elementary Mathematics Specialist license.
You will take the following courses:
Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (15 credits)
-
MATH 614 Algebraic Reasoning (3 credits)
- MATH 615 Number Concepts and Number Theory (3 credits)
- MATH 616 Rational Numbers and Proportional Reasoning (3 credits)
- MATH 623 Probability, Data Analysis, and Statistical Reasoning (3 credits)
- MATH 640 Measurement Concepts and Geometric Reasoning (3 credits)
Pedagogical Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (12 credits)
- MATH 632 Assessment in Mathematics Education (3 credits)
- MATH 690 Curriculum & Instruction in Mathematics Education (3 credits)
- MATH 693 Teaching Mathematics through Problem Solving (3 credits)
- MATH 695 Mathematics Learners and Learning (3 credits)
Research (3 credits)
- MATH 694 Research Methods in Mathematics Education (3 credits)
Leadership Knowledge and Skills (6 credits)
- MATH 697 Mathematics Teacher Leadership 1 (3 credits)
- MATH 698 Mathematics Teacher Leadership 2 (3 credits)
For course descriptions and prerequisites, view the course catalog.
View Catalog
More about Online Learning
Ready to Apply?
Review deadlines, admission requirements, and application materials, then start your application.
Ball State is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to accept online students from all U.S. states. However, if you are considering a program that leads to professional licensure, some states may have additional regulations. Review our state authorization website if you live outside of Indiana and contact us if you have questions.
Want to Learn More?
Do you have questions about this program or online learning? We’re here to help! You may request more information using our online form, or feel free to reach out directly to one of our staff.
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