Mathematics education, certification

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

You’re passionate about reaching the next generation of learners and keenly aware that excellent mathematics education empowers young people for a lifetime. It’s time to join the outstanding online master of education program in learning, teaching and curriculum with emphasis in mathematics education certification from the University of Missouri (Mizzou). With cutting-edge strategies and skills learned from Mizzou’s esteemed faculty, you can help more students experience success in mathematics, whether you teach proportions, algebra, geometry or calculus and beyond. 

This 100% online program will equip you with everything you need to become a state-certified instructor in middle or secondary school mathematics. You’ll be immersed in the latest pedagogy through lectures, peer-to-peer learning and hands-on practice. You’ll network with education professionals and increase your job opportunities upon graduation. To complete your studies, you can intern in a school district that is convenient for you, or if you’ve been hired to teach under temporary authorization then you can complete your internship at your home institution.

You can complete this master’s program in two years or less, then sit for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) certification exam. Find out more about certification requirements on the DESE website.

Quick facts

Official name

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

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, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

Credit hours

30

Estimated cost

$16,854.00

*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.

Teacher pointing to a math equation on a whiteboard

Career prospects

Graduates will be prepared to teach math in middle or secondary education and be prepared to sit for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) certification exam.

Program structure

Delivery of this program is 100% online: no campus visits are required.

Courses are cohort-based. Most students study part time, taking two to three classes per semester, and complete the course work in just one to two years.

Course work includes

  • Secondary mathematics from an advanced perspective
  • Teaching, learning and research in middle and secondary school math
  • Reading and writing in content areas
  • Foundation of teacher preparation
  • Teaching the exceptional learner
  • Advanced internship in curriculum and instruction

Delivery

100% online

Calendar system

Cohort

Typical program length

1.5 years

Typical course load

2-3 courses per semester

Accreditation

University of Missouri-Columbia is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. Accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Faculty spotlight

Sam Otten, PhD

Samuel Otten received his doctorate in mathematics education and his M.S. in mathematics from Michigan State University. His research centers on students’ participation in mathematical practices at the secondary level, with a focus on classroom discourse and instructional technology.

Samuel Otten, PhD
Lois Knowles Faculty Fellow, Associate Professor and Department Chair, Department of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum
John Lannin, PhD

John K. Lannin is the Associate Dean for Student Success and Academic Affairs for the College of Education in addition to professor for the Department of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum. His research focuses on the improvement of the learning and teaching of mathematics in K–12 classrooms. Specifically, Dr. Lannin’s research focuses on student understanding of generality and algebraic thinking. His focus on teacher knowledge has involved deepening our understanding of how the specific knowledge for teaching mathematics develops over time. Dr. Lannin is a former middle and high school mathematics teacher, having taught at three different schools in Nebraska for 10 years.

John Lannin, PhD
Professor, Department of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum
Corey Webel

Corey Webel has served as the director of the elementary mathematics specialist program at the University of Missouri since 2016. Dr. Webel is actively researching how school-based mathematics leaders shape and are shaped by the systems and structures that exist in elementary schools. He is ultimately interested in how these systems and leaders could create healthier mathematics learning experiences for children.

Corey Webel, PhD
Associate Professor and Program Director, Department of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum
Tiffany LaCroix

Tiffany LaCroix joined the University of Missouri (Mizzou) in 2024 as an assistant teaching professor in mathematics education in the Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum. Dr. LaCroix is also the primary advisor for the master of education and educational specialist degrees offered in mathematics education. Previously, she was a postdoctoral fellow at Mizzou as well as an adjunct professor at Virginia Tech. Her areas of expertise include K–12 mathematics teaching methods, virtual teaching, using AI in education and working with elementary mathematics specialists.

Tiffany LaCroix, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum

Learn more about this program

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