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Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Mathematics Education

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Mathematics Education

AnnaMarie Conner headshot

I firmly believe that learning is active, that students need to engage with ideas together, and that learning to teach is a process of enculturation, gradually becoming a teacher by teaching.

AnnaMarie Conner

Professor and Graduate Coordinator for Math Ed

Overview

Offered online through the University of Georgia Mary Frances Early College of Education’s Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education, the Master of Education in Mathematics Education focuses on teaching and learning methods for secondary mathematics (Grades 6-12). The program is designed for teachers professionally certified in a mathematics or related field, or in Middle Grades Education with a specialization in teaching Mathematics. Graduates will qualify for a teaching certification upgrade in Georgia, as well as in most other states. All required coursework is available online to accommodate your life as a working professional, and is designed and taught by the internationally recognized faculty of UGA’s award-winning Mary Frances Early College of Education. Nearly all program students pursue the degree on a part-time basis while maintaining a full-time teaching position.

The Mathematics Education Faculty at UGA are world leaders in the research and teaching of mathematics. Built on their expertise, this advanced preparation program addresses the unique challenges and opportunities faced by today’s secondary education mathematics teachers. Students explore research-based practices and advanced content perspectives, while building on their own professional expertise developed from classroom experience, to support a transition from study-to-practice. Required Mathematics Education courses develop the knowledge and skills necessary for critical consideration of the research literature, with special attention paid to integrating practices that best support middle and high school students’ learning.

The program builds on cutting-edge research to explore mathematical ideas critical for success in STEM, as well as with socio-mathematical issues. Electives embedded within the program allow you to explore graduate-level education content offered by the prominent faculty of the Mary Frances Early College of Education in areas such as cognition and assessment.

Is the Master of Education in Mathematics Education degree the right degree for me? 

1) Yes, if you are a Georgia teacher certified to teach mathematics (or a related field) at the middle or secondary level and you are looking to upgrade your certification from T4 to T5.  

2) Yes, if you are interested in improving your practice and ability to better reach your students by exploring issues related to teaching and learning. The primary emphasis in our Master of Education in Mathematics Education program is on issues related to teaching and learning at the middle and high school levels, and it is not designed for those seeking initial certification.

3) Maybe, if you are from another state or if you are an elementary teacher. In these cases, you will want to check in with your professional standards board prior to application to ensure this degree will be accepted to upgrade your certification. 

University of Georgia online Master’s in Education programs are ranked #8 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2024 in Curriculum and Instruction. Our secondary preparation program also has also been ranked in the top 10 programs in US News and World Report since 2014.

Student who graduate from this program and who are certified Georgia educators can apply for a T5 upgrade for their teaching credential.

Accreditations

The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of Georgia also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Georgia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Admissions

Credit and Transfer

Total Hours Required to Earn Degree:  33 (credit hours)

Maximum Hours Transferable into Program: 6

Only transfer credits from an accredited institution will be considered. If transfer credit is awarded, it will still be necessary to complete the required number of hours to graduate, which will more than likely necessitate additional coursework above and beyond the degree program requirements.

Master of Education in Mathematics Education Admission Requirements

Prospective candidates must:

  • Hold Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
  • Show evidence of a cumulative grade point average for all previous undergraduate and graduate courses, with a preferred standard of a minimum of 3.00 on a 4-point scale
  • Hold a Clear Renewable Georgia Professional Standards Commission Certification at Level 4 (or equivalent) or the equivalent from another state once you confirm that this degree is transferrable to your home state
  • Submit three letters of recommendation from referees who know the applicant’s academic work well and can speak to their capacity to engage in graduate level study of mathematics [SN1] 
  • Submit a statement of purpose that describes the applicant’s interest in the program and relevant experiences that have driven that interest

Master of Education in Mathematics Education Application Checklist

  1. Application – Submit the Graduate School Admissions online.  Application fee: $75 Domestic/$100 International 
  2. Select campus – Online 
  3. Select Intended Program – MED, Mathematics Education (Math and Science)[MED_EMAT_ONL] 
  4. Résumé or curriculum vita – Upload to the Graduate School application.
  5. Statement of Purpose – Submit a one-page statement of purpose online to the Graduate School. The statement of purpose should describe the applicant’s interest in the program and relevant experiences which have driven that interest.
  6. Transcripts – Upload unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended to the Graduate School application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission.
  7. Letters of Recommendation – Submit three letters of recommendation online to graduate school. Letters should be from individuals who know the applicant’s academic work well and can speak to their capacity to engage in graduate level study of mathematics, to perform well in courses requiring reading and writing, to work as a classroom teacher, and to be successful in a graduate program. Preferably, one or two letter come from faculty who have instructed the applicant in a previous program of study.

Application Deadlines

Admissions decisions are made on a continuous (fall and summer term) basis consistent with the Graduate School’s deadlines for admission. Although minimum and preferred requirements are outlined, applications are reviewed holistically. Minimum and preferred requirements are not explicitly competitive – meeting the minimum requirements stated above normally results in admission. For this program, students must certify that they have access to a computer with a high-speed Internet connection. Students are classified as in-state or out-of-state based on University System of Georgia Board of Regents policy. 

Domestic Applicants 

  • Summer: April 1
  • Fall: July 1

International Applicants

  • Summer: February 15
  • Fall: April 15

Cost

Tuition rates and student fees may change each year. 

Based on 2024-25 credit-hour cost, a person who had completed this program at the recommended pace would have paid $15,372 in tuition for a Georgia Resident and $42,552 in tuition for an out-of-state student.

Please use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar’s Office website to calculate one academic (Fall/Spring) year’s tuition. 

Fees for those students enrolled in exclusively online programs are $411 per semester. 

Potential additional costs include:

  • Textbooks
  • Exam proctoring fees
  • Technology upgrades 

The complete cost of attendance can be found at https://osfa.uga.edu/costs/.

Financial Aid

Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information about financial assistance.

Corporate Assistance

Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.

Military Assistance

Active-duty military, veterans, and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.

University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The purpose of TAP is to foster the professional growth and development of eligible employees. For more information, see Tuition Assistance (refer to the Distance Learning section). 

Technology Requirements

  • Computer with current operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Additional peripherals such as webcam, headphones, and microphone are required.
  • High-speed internet access.

Curriculum

The Master of Education in Mathematical Education program allows for flexible scheduling, with cohorts starting both Summer and Fall (Summer preferred). Because most students will be full-time teachers, it is expected that students will take approximately 2 years to complete the Master of Education in Mathematics Education program. The most common pattern is 2 courses per semester, with the final semester dedicated to a capstone project.

Courses

Required Core Courses in Mathematics Education (4 Courses):

  • EMAT 6100E Pivotal Pedagogical Practice in 6-12 Mathematics Pedagogy I
  • EMAT 6110E Pivotal Pedagogical Practice in 6-12 Mathematics Pedagogy II
  • EMAT 6120E Timely Topics and Trends in Mathematics Education
  • EMAT 7100E Capstone Seminar for Secondary Mathematics Education

Required Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (MKT) Content (4 Courses):

  • EMAT 6130E MKT: Ratio, Proportion, and Algebraic Reasoning
  • EMAT 6140E MKT: Quantitative Reasoning
  • EMAT 6150E MKT: Geometric Reasoning
  • EMAT 6160E MKT: Statistical Reasoning

Educational Electives (Choose 3):

  • All students must complete 9 hours of graduate-level (6000 or above) educational electives agreed upon with permission from the student’s academic advisor. Applicable courses can be used toward Certificate or Endorsement Requirements. EMAT courses can count toward educational electives, although the program recommends choices from graduate-level courses offered by other UGA programs in the Mary Frances Early College of Education and relevant to the student’s interests.
Summer 1Fall 1Spring 1
Educational Elective 1EMAT 6130E MKT: Algebraic ReasoningEMAT 6150E MKT: Geometric Reasoning
EMAT 6140E MKT: Quantitative ReasoningEMAT 6100E Pivotal Math Pedagogy IEMAT 6110E Pivotal Math Pedagogy II
Summer 2Fall 2Spring 2
EMAT 6120E Topics and Trends in Math EdEMAT 6160E MKT: Statistical ReasoningEMAT 7100E Capstone Seminar
Educational Elective 2Educational Elective 3

Licensure

This program is designed for professional development or advancement in a professionally licensed job and is designed for certified practitioners in this field, but is not intended to lead to initial certification. 

An enrollment coach will contact you to determine your circumstances and ensure that this program will be effective for you.

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal.

Faculty

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