Best Master's in Mathematics Teacher Education Programs by Degrees Awarded

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology

Published July 16, 2026·Last updated July 22, 2026

Ranked by the number of master's degrees awarded each year, the most established programs. The top 25 out of 111 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database.

1
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UTPrivate nonprofitOnline available
- 796Master's/yr
- $77,920Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching, Mathematics Education (Secondary)
- On-campus
About the program
Western Governors University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching, Mathematics Education for the secondary level, an online, competency-based route that carries candidates to initial teacher licensure. The competency model, priced at a flat rate per six-month term, rewards students who can move quickly through material they already know, making it a strong fit for career-changers and aspiring teachers managing work and family. Despite its online delivery, the program keeps clinical practice front and center through a 12-to-20-week student teaching placement and a professional portfolio that demonstrates readiness for the classroom. Accreditation through CAEP and recognition by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics lend the degree professional standing, while its secondary focus sits alongside separate WGU K-6 and Middle Grades mathematics programs. Licensure leads to middle or high school mathematics credentials, with specific requirements varying by state. As a master's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Utah.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 796 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Salt Lake City-Murray, UT, where elementary teachers earn a median $77,920, roughly $77,249 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
2
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MOPublic
- 37Master's/yr
- Master of Science in Education in Teaching Mathematics
- Online
About the program
Northwest Missouri State University offers a Master of Science in Education in Teaching Mathematics, a fully online program aimed at professional growth for already-licensed secondary math teachers rather than at initial licensure. Admission requires a valid teaching certificate or two years of teaching experience, confirming that the program meets teachers where they are and builds on classroom practice. Its 30 credit hours split between education and mathematics, with the larger share of eighteen credits in mathematics itself, so content mastery drives the curriculum. Delivered in an accelerated, pay-by-the-course format with multiple start dates, it can be completed in about a year, and it can qualify graduates to teach dual-credit courses. Backed by AAQEP-accredited educator preparation and recognized by both Missouri DESE and the Higher Learning Commission, it reads as an efficient, content-strong credential for practicing teachers expanding their reach. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 37 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
School site
3
Towson University
Towson, MDPublic
- 36Master's/yr
- Master of Science in Mathematics Education
- Hybrid
About the program
Towson University offers a Master of Science in Mathematics Education aimed squarely at working teachers who already hold certification and want to advance their craft. A secondary school track serves certified secondary math teachers while a middle school track supports current and future middle grades teachers, so the program sorts candidates by the classrooms they teach rather than by licensure need. The 30 credit-hour curriculum, with no more than nine credits below the 600 level, keeps the emphasis on genuinely graduate-level study, and a part-time evening and summer format is designed to fit around a school year. Courses are also delivered at off-campus Maryland sites through the Towson Learning Network, extending access beyond the main campus. It functions as a professional-growth degree for established educators deepening their mathematics teaching expertise. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 36 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
School site
4
American College of Education
Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitOnline available
- 32Master's/yr
- $60,510Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Mathematics Education
- Higher Learning Commission (institutional)-accredited
- On-campus
About the program
American College of Education offers a fully online, asynchronous Master of Education in Mathematics Education designed for teachers who want to sharpen their craft on a flexible schedule. The 34-credit program moves briskly, with completion possible in 10 to 16 months, and lets students personalize the path by choosing three electives from mathematics and education options rather than following fixed concentrations. Its self-described discovery model emphasizes mathematical modeling and real-world problem solving, reflecting a stance that teachers deepen their content knowledge best by working through authentic mathematics. The degree ends with a one-credit capstone that ties the study together. Backed by Higher Learning Commission accreditation, it reads as an efficient, practice-oriented option for working educators extending their mathematics expertise. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 32 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,510, roughly $63,231 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
5
Teachers College at Columbia University
New York, NYPrivate nonprofit
- 29Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Mathematics Education, M.S.
- On-campus
About the program
Teachers College, Columbia University offers a Master of Science in Mathematics Education that places noticeably more weight on mathematics content than its parallel Ed.M. track, making it a fit for people who want to go deep in the discipline itself. Admission expects a minimum of 24 undergraduate mathematics credits, and students may take advanced content courses through Columbia's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, extending their reach well beyond the education faculty. The emphasis is squarely on mathematical depth, with recommended focus areas including algebra, geometry, analysis, and discrete mathematics. This M.S. does not itself specify a licensure pathway; Teachers College routes candidates who want certification into its separate M.A. Initial Certification and Transitional B tracks. The program suits those pursuing scholarly or content-driven goals in mathematics education rather than a direct classroom credential. As a master's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in New York.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 29 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
6
CUNY Hunter College
New York, NYPublic
- 28Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Adolescent Mathematics Education
- On-campus
About the program
Hunter College offers a Master of Arts in Adolescent Mathematics Education built to carry candidates into a licensed grades 7-12 classroom while grounding them heavily in the mathematics itself. The 41 to 42 credit program devotes at least 24 credits to graduate-level mathematics, spanning calculus, linear and matrix algebra, and statistics, so it reads as a degree that treats deep content mastery as inseparable from teaching. A full-time student teaching semester in an NYC public school anchors the practical side, placing candidates in real urban classrooms before they finish. Three entry points widen the door: a full MA for those without prior certification, a professional certificate MA for candidates who already hold initial New York certification, and a post-master's advanced certificate for those with a mathematics master's. Completers earn New York State initial and professional certification to teach mathematics in grades 7-12. Delivered mainly on campus with some online and hybrid coursework, it suits candidates who want both mathematical depth and a clear route to city classrooms. Earning a master's degree in mathematics teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 28 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
7
CUNY Lehman College
Bronx, NYPublic
- 25Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education, Major in Mathematics
- On-campus
About the program
Lehman College offers a Master of Science in Education with a major in Mathematics that is unusually adaptive, routing candidates through one of six sequences depending on where they start. Math majors, non-math majors, applicants seeking grades 5-9 or grades 7-12 certification, and those pursuing a Students with Disabilities dual-certification option each follow a tailored path, including a Residency Program sequence, so the program reads as a single degree engineered to meet very different backgrounds. Candidates complete a minimum of 100 field hours before student teaching, building substantial classroom exposure ahead of full responsibility. An internship certificate option lets candidates work full-time in a classroom after finishing half the program's credits, a structure that suits those who need to earn while they learn. Completers earn New York State initial and professional certification to teach mathematics in grades 5-9 or 7-12, with an optional Students with Disabilities extension. The on-campus format keeps this Bronx-based program close to the schools its graduates will serve. Earning a master's degree in mathematics teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 25 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
8
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available
- 24Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Mathematics
- Hybrid
About the program
Mount Holyoke College offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Mathematics, a hybrid program built for practicing K-8 educators, math coaches, and instructional specialists rather than for newcomers seeking a first license. Its non-licensure design and its coaching-oriented audience mark it as professional development for people already in classrooms who want to deepen how they teach mathematics. The core curriculum rests on the Developing Mathematical Ideas and Connecting Arithmetic to Algebra frameworks, an approach centered on how children build mathematical understanding across the elementary and middle grades. Prospective applicants should note that Mount Holyoke announced in fall 2025 that it is closing its Professional and Graduate Education division and is no longer accepting new applications to this program. A master's-level path in mathematics teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Massachusetts.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 24 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
School site
9
CUNY Queens College
Queens, NYPublic
- 23Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching, Mathematics Education (Adolescent Math Education, Grades 7-12)
- On-campus
About the program
Queens College offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Mathematics Education for adolescent grades 7-12 that folds initial and professional certification into a single combined program. Candidates move through a 24-credit initial certification phase and a 15-credit professional phase, the latter splitting mathematics education coursework and additional mathematics, so the degree reads as a continuous path from entry into teaching to advanced standing. The program is distinctly cohort-based, with candidates taking their mathematics and education courses together as a close-knit community supported by study groups, seminars, and off-campus events. Admission expects an undergraduate mathematics major or 36 or more college math credits and a strong record in the subject, keeping the cohort mathematically prepared from the start. Completers earn New York State initial and professional certification to teach mathematics in grades 7-12. The on-campus, community-driven structure suits candidates who want to learn alongside a stable group of peers. This master's-level mathematics teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in New York.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 23 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
10
Ball State University
Muncie, INPublicOnline available
- 21Master's/yr
- $58,610Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Mathematics Education
- Online
About the program
Ball State University offers a fully online Master of Arts in Mathematics Education aimed squarely at practicing teachers who are already licensed and want to sharpen their mathematics teaching. Its asynchronous format fits work schedules, and three concentrations let candidates match the degree to their setting: elementary and middle school mathematics at 30 credits, secondary mathematics at 30 to 32 credits, and an elementary and middle school mathematics specialist track at 36 credits. The specialist option layers in Mathematics Teacher Leadership coursework and action-research components, so it reads as a route into coaching and building-level leadership rather than just added content. Graduates of that specialist track are eligible to apply for the Indiana Elementary Mathematics Specialist License. Ball State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and by CAEP, giving the online credential recognized educator-preparation standing. As a master's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Indiana.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 21 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Muncie, IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $58,610, roughly $66,490 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
11
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NYPublic
- 19Master's/yr
- $76,490Metro teacher pay
- Mathematics Education: Adolescence EdM
- Registered with the New York State Education Department-accredited
- On-campus
About the program
The University at Buffalo offers a Mathematics Education: Adolescence EdM that flexes to meet candidates at different points on the certification path. Depending on the pathway chosen, students pursue initial certification for grades 7 through 12, a combined initial and professional credential extending to grades 5 through 12, or professional certification for those already teaching, which is why the program ranges from 33 to 57 credits and takes one to two years. Full-time and part-time enrollment both work, letting the degree serve career-changers and practicing teachers alike. It is registered with the New York State Education Department and leads to teaching certification in mathematics, with the exact title determined by the pathway. The program is distinct from Buffalo's non-certification Math Education Studies EdM, underscoring that this track is squarely aimed at licensure. As a master's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in New York.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 19 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,490, roughly $79,807 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
12
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MOPublic
- 18Master's/yr
- $50,910State teacher pay
- Mathematics, M.S. – Mathematics Option
- Hybrid
About the program
The University of Central Missouri offers a Master of Science in Mathematics with a Mathematics Option, a hybrid program that emphasizes mathematical content within a 30-credit-hour degree. Students choose between writing a thesis or completing a series of comprehensive exams, and the university notes that the comprehensive-exam path suits those aiming to teach at the secondary or community college level. That flexibility, paired with small classes averaging about ten students, gives the program an intimate, discipline-centered feel. The Mathematics Option stands apart from the university's Actuarial Science and Statistics tracks, so students who want a broad grounding in mathematics land in a cohort focused on the subject itself. While not a licensure program, it functions as a strong content credential for those headed toward teaching or further study. Earning a master's degree in mathematics teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Missouri's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 18 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Missouri statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $50,910, roughly $56,058 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
13
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitOnline available
- 18Master's/yr
- $59,180Metro teacher pay
- Mathematics with an Emphasis in Education
- Online
About the program
Grand Canyon University offers an online Master of Science in Mathematics with an Emphasis in Education for teachers who want to deepen their mathematics pedagogy at the postsecondary level. The 34-credit program carries no thesis or capstone and runs in eight-week online sessions, a structure that keeps it manageable for educators already working in the classroom. It emphasizes adult learning theory and research-based instructional practices geared toward higher education, community college, and secondary settings. The degree does not lead to initial teacher licensure; instead it is built for those who already hold an active teaching license and want to add credentials as a secondary teacher. With Higher Learning Commission accreditation behind it, the program reads as focused professional growth for practicing mathematics instructors. As a master's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Arizona.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 18 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,180, roughly $57,281 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
14
Cambridge College
Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit
- 18Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Mathematics (5-8 or 8-12)
- Hybrid
About the program
Cambridge College offers a Master of Education in Mathematics with grades 5-8 and grades 8-12 tracks and both licensure and non-licensure options, giving candidates room to pursue Massachusetts certification or simply deepen their teaching. Licensure students complete a mathematics teaching practicum alongside a cohort-based seminar, a pairing that supports candidates as they move into or advance within the classroom. Courses are delivered through scheduled remote Zoom sessions and self-paced asynchronous online work, a flexible hybrid model for working adults, and the college holds NECHE accreditation with state authorization and DESE program approval. Prospective students should note a significant transition: as of Fall 2026 the program is moving to Bay Path University, and Cambridge College is no longer accepting new students into it. It stands as a licensure-capable math teaching degree in a period of institutional change. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 18 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
15
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NYPublic
- 17Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics
- AAQEP, full accreditation through June 30, 2030
- On-campus
About the program
Stony Brook University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics through its School of Professional Development, a 45-credit program that leads to New York State certification to teach secondary mathematics in grades 7 through 12, with an optional extension into grades 5 and 6. Its distributed design draws on both the Department of Mathematics and the School of Professional Development, splitting coursework into 15 credits of mathematics content, 24 of professional education, and 6 of supervised student teaching, so candidates strengthen disciplinary depth and classroom method together. The 15 content credits are customized with an advisor rather than fixed into tracks, giving each candidate room to shore up their mathematics background. More than a hundred hours of classroom observation precede student teaching, building familiarity with real schools before candidates take the lead. Accredited by AAQEP through June 2030, it reads as a content-rich route into secondary math teaching. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 17 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
School site
16
Harvard University
Cambridge, MAPrivate nonprofit
- 16Master's/yr
- Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, field of Mathematics for Teaching
- Hybrid
About the program
Harvard University offers a Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies in the field of Mathematics for Teaching, delivered through the Harvard Extension School's Division of Continuing Education rather than the Graduate School of Education. The degree uses a performance-based admissions model in which qualifying coursework earns applicants their way in and counts toward the 12-course program, an approach that rewards demonstrated ability over a conventional application. Nearly the entire degree can be completed at a distance, with only one of the twelve courses requiring on-campus attendance through a weekend or three-week summer session. Two stackable graduate certificates, Learning Design and Technology and Math Leadership, let candidates build focused expertise within the broader degree. Rather than a licensure route, it reads as advanced mathematical and leadership preparation for teachers who want to grow their content depth and stretch into program leadership. This master's-level mathematics teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Massachusetts.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 16 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
School site
17
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate nonprofit
- 16Master's/yr
- $58,300Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Mathematics Education
- Online
About the program
Nova Southeastern University offers a Master of Science in Mathematics Education delivered fully online across 36 credits, with two options that let candidates focus on K-12 or postsecondary mathematics teaching. The program is degree-only rather than a route to state licensure, positioning it as a credential for educators sharpening their practice rather than entering the field. Its capstone, an applied professional experience requiring reflective journals and portfolios of student work and assessments, keeps the study anchored in candidates' own classrooms. That emphasis on documented, reflective practice suggests a program built for working teachers who learn by examining their teaching. The online format reinforces its fit for practitioners advancing while employed. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 16 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL, where elementary teachers earn a median $58,300, roughly $51,071 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
18
DePaul University
Chicago, ILPrivate nonprofit
- 14Master's/yr
- $78,390Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Mathematics Education
- Hybrid
About the program
DePaul University offers a Master of Arts in Mathematics Education whose accelerated, weekend-intensive delivery marks it as a program engineered around the lives of busy adults. Rather than a licensure program, it targets currently or previously certified teachers, mathematics bachelor's-degree holders, and career-changers moving into secondary teaching, drawing a mixed cohort united by strong content backgrounds. Students complete 48 quarter hours by choosing 12 of 17 available graduate courses, a single flexible curriculum path with no separate sub-concentrations. The six-quarter schedule, offered mostly through intensive weekend sessions on the Lincoln Park campus or online, compresses graduate study into a manageable format. A maximum five-year completion window offers room for those who need a slower pace. The overall profile is that of a content-rich, practitioner-oriented degree for working professionals. A master's-level path in mathematics teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Illinois.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 14 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,390, roughly $75,670 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
19
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NEPublicOnline available
- 13Master's/yr
- Master of Arts for Teachers in Mathematics
- Online
About the program
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers a Master of Arts for Teachers in Mathematics, a 30-credit fully online degree designed squarely for practicing middle-level and secondary mathematics teachers. Built with National Science Foundation funding and shaped in partnership with K-12 teachers, the program reflects the realities of the classroom rather than an abstract graduate sequence. Its online format lets working educators continue teaching while they study, and its focus on deepening mathematical understanding speaks to teachers who want stronger content grounding. The program does not add an endorsement or licensure, so applicants come in already holding a valid teaching certificate. With more than 375 teachers completing it since 2005, it has an established track record as professional growth for those already in the field. As a master's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Nebraska.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 13 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
School site
20
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZPublicOnline available
- 13Master's/yr
- $53,900Metro teacher pay
- Mathematics Education
- Online
About the program
Northern Arizona University offers an online Master of Science in Mathematics Education designed for practicing secondary teachers rather than newcomers seeking certification. Admission requires at least two years of teaching experience, which shapes the 37-unit program as a community of experienced educators refining their craft. The curriculum emphasizes the connections between secondary mathematics content, pedagogy, and reflective practice across grades 8 through 14, bridging high school and early college instruction. Students finish by presenting a final oral exam before an advisory committee, a capstone that pushes them to synthesize and defend their learning. Because completion does not result in teacher certification, the degree serves continuing mathematics teachers looking to grow professionally and strengthen their classroom expertise. As a master's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Arizona.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 13 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Flagstaff, AZ, where elementary teachers earn a median $53,900, roughly $53,725 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
21
State University of New York at New Paltz
New Paltz, NYPublic
- 12Master's/yr
- $97,920Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Adolescence Education: Mathematics; also offered as Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Adolescence Education: Mathematics
- On-campus
About the program
SUNY New Paltz offers Adolescence Education: Mathematics as two parallel degrees that split cleanly by who the candidate is. The Master of Arts in Teaching serves career-changers who hold a mathematics bachelor's and are seeking initial New York State certification for secondary mathematics, while the Master of Science in Education serves practicing certified teachers moving toward permanent or professional certification. That fork lets the department tailor each path to its audience rather than force one curriculum on both. The MAT builds toward a full-semester student teaching capstone supported by campus faculty advisors and field mentors, and a five-year combined pathway lets undergraduate mathematics majors earn a bachelor's and the MAT together. The pairing reads as a deliberate design covering both entry into teaching and advancement within it. Earning a master's degree in mathematics teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 12 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kingston, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $97,920, roughly $97,231 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
22
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PAPrivate nonprofitOnline available
- 12Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Teaching with Initial Teaching Certification, middle-level mathematics concentration
- Online
About the program
Wilkes University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching with Initial Teaching Certification and a middle-level mathematics concentration, one of four content areas alongside science, social studies, and English. The 30-credit program is delivered fully online with no campus travel required, and it arranges twelve weeks of student teaching near the candidate's own home, a structure squarely aimed at career changers who need to keep their footing while they transition into the classroom. Its reach extends beyond a single credential, since completers can also test toward high school or elementary certification without earning an additional degree, and reciprocity is available in other states. That combination of remote flexibility, locally placed practice, and portable certification characterizes a program engineered for accessible entry into teaching. Graduates earn Pennsylvania middle-level certification for grades four through eight. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 12 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
School site
23
University of Georgia
Athens, GAPublic
- 11Master's/yr
- $76,600Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Mathematics Education
- University is SACSCOC accredited
- Online
About the program
The University of Georgia offers a fully online M.Ed. in Mathematics Education aimed at already-licensed Georgia teachers seeking professional advancement, including the Level 4 to Level 5 T-5 certificate upgrade. Its focus on secondary instruction in grades 6-12, with electives selectable across the College of Education, gives candidates room to shape the degree around their teaching context. Taught by a College of Education faculty ranked third nationally by U.S. News in Curriculum and Instruction, the program pairs scholarly standing with a practitioner orientation. A capstone project in the final semester and a typical two-year part-time pace mark it as a degree designed to fit around a working teacher's schedule. Offered by a SACSCOC-accredited university, it reads as a credible route to certificate advancement for practicing math educators. This master's-level mathematics teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Georgia.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 11 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Athens-Clarke County, GA, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,600, roughly $82,063 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
24
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VAPublicOnline available
- 10Master's/yr
- Master of Education in Mathematics
- Online
About the program
James Madison University offers a Master of Education in Mathematics aimed at practicing secondary mathematics teachers who want to strengthen their content knowledge rather than pursue a first license. Its collaborative structure is telling: the degree is jointly run by the College of Education and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and the credit balance leans decisively toward mathematics, with 21 of the minimum 34 hours in the discipline and 13 in educational development. The curriculum is aligned with the Mathematical Education of Teachers report from the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences, tying the program to a national framework for what teachers of mathematics should know. Delivered online, it fits teachers who remain in their classrooms while they study. Recognition among the nation's best online mathematics education master's programs by Online Master's Degrees in 2023 reinforces its standing as a content-rich credential. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 10 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
School site
25
Merrimack College
North Andover, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available
- 10Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Middle School (5–8) and High School (8–12) Education, Mathematics concentration
- Hybrid
About the program
Merrimack College offers a Master of Education in Middle School (5, 8) and High School (8, 12) Education with a Mathematics concentration, a hybrid program that lets students choose an online or on-campus format course by course. The pairing of a 450-hour supervised practicum with built-in MTEL exam preparation signals a program engineered to carry candidates all the way to Massachusetts initial teacher licensure in mathematics for grades 5, 8 or 8, 12. Subject-area options extend well beyond math to biology, chemistry, English, general science, history and social science, and physics, so the mathematics track sits within a broader secondary licensure framework. A Sheltered English Instruction endorsement is folded in, preparing teachers for the multilingual classrooms they will actually encounter. Offered by a NECHE-accredited institution running a Massachusetts DESE-approved Educator Preparation Program, it reads as a licensure-focused pathway for people committed to the secondary math classroom. This master's-level mathematics teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Massachusetts.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 10 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site

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Best Master's in Mathematics Teacher Education Programs by Degrees Awarded

Western Governors University

Northwest Missouri State University

Towson University

American College of Education

Teachers College at Columbia University

CUNY Hunter College

CUNY Lehman College

Mount Holyoke College

CUNY Queens College

Ball State University

University at Buffalo

University of Central Missouri

Grand Canyon University

Cambridge College

Stony Brook University

Harvard University

Nova Southeastern University

DePaul University

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Northern Arizona University

State University of New York at New Paltz

Wilkes University

University of Georgia

James Madison University

Merrimack College