Mathematics education

University of Missouri-Columbia
Master of education in learning, teaching and curriculum
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Master of education

What’s the significance of math in the real world? How do you spark curiosity in the STEM field? Step up to the challenge while fulfilling continuing education requirements with an online master of education (M Ed) in learning, teaching and curriculum with an emphasis in mathematics education from the University of Missouri (Mizzou).

Grow your knowledge of pedagogical practices and advanced mathematics concepts in a program geared toward certified, practicing instructors. Select from a range of topic areas to refine your teaching and curriculum methods — from reaching your core students to incorporating technology. At the same time, begin to see yourself as a leader, both in the classroom and to advance in your career.

Top-ranked programs

Mizzou's online master's in education programs ranked among the nation's finest in U.S. News & World Report 2024.

About the online M Ed in mathematics education 

Numbers have always fascinated you. That’s why you got into this field in the first place. As a K–12 math teacher, you strive to impart the same enthusiasm — and show your students what numbers, equations and formulas can do.

Overseen by the Department of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum, the online master’s in mathematics education strengthens your subject area knowledge, instructional techniques and leadership foundation. Relevant to elementary, middle and high school teachers, the program:

  • Equips you to show how math works in the real world
  • Allows you to better connect with students in the classroom and understand the role of equity in teaching math
  • Helps you create lesson and curriculum plans that enhance your school’s STEM instruction
  • Lets you discuss common classroom and school-level issues with other educators
  • Highlights methods for incorporating technology to teach math at the K–12 level
  • Includes optional focus areas in elementary and secondary education
  • Is taught by faculty with a history of teaching, leadership and research

Quick facts

Official name

Master of education in learning, teaching and curriculum with an emphasis in mathematics education

Campus

University of Missouri-Columbia

Program type

Master's degree

Academic home

College of Education & Human Development | Department of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum

Delivery mode

100% online

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission, Teacher Education Accreditation Council

Credit hours

30

Estimated cost

$16,050.00

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

A male teacher playing a dice game with young students

Career prospects

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts overall consistent demand for elementarymiddle and high school teachers through 2032. Within this picture, however, a shortage of math and STEM teachers persists.

Mizzou’s online M Ed in mathematics education helps you reverse this trend and improve instructional quality for your classroom, school or district. As you look beyond, your credential builds a bridge to roles with a wider impact, including department chair, curriculum developer or facilitator of a professional learning team.

Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
10.38%
Employment growth
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
$66,000
median salary

Program structure

The online M Ed in mathematics education requires 30 credit hours. You start with nine credit hours of a master’s core. During this sequence, you explore the intersection of teaching, learning and curriculum to reach diverse students, improve your own instruction and highlight applications of math. At the same time, you conduct independent research in an area related to what and who you teach.

From here, you select 18 credit hours from courses designed to advance your knowledge of mathematics concepts and how you teach K-12 students. Consider gearing this sequence to your grade level or an area of interest — for example, effectively adding technology into the classroom.

Delivery of this program is 100 percent online: no campus visits are required. However, you may choose to enroll in electives that require face-to-face meetings on campus. Courses are semester based. Students typically take one or two classes each semester and finish in two years.

This program emphasizes

  • Current issues in mathematics education
  • Elementary or secondary mathematics content
  • Increasing equity in mathematics teaching and learning
  • Recent research in mathematics education
  • Strategies for incorporating technology into mathematics instruction

Note: This program does not lead to initial teacher certification.

Review all requirements for the online M Ed in mathematics education.

Delivery

100% online

Calendar system

Semester-based

Typical program length

2 years

Typical course load

1 or 2 classes each semester

Accreditation

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The College of Education and Human Development is a member of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.

It's taken a lot of work to get here, but it's definitely paid off in the long run.
M Ed ’17
Map of Missouri with MPER school district locations

MPER Early Career Scholars Program

If you are a first-, second- or third-year teacher, and teach in an MPER partner school district, you might qualify for a 50 percent tuition sponsorship from the College of Education and Human Development.

See how you can apply today.

Learn more about this program

This program is administered by the Department of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum