Online Math Education Degrees

Online Math Degree Rankings, Salaries & Courses

Earning an online math education degree can launch a fulfilling, and well-paying career as a math teacher, instructional coordinator, or mathematician. Math education students learn the philosophies and theories of education, best practices for the classroom, the fundamentals of pure math, and age-appropriate strategies for teaching math. According to the U.S. Department of Education, math education is a high-need area in many states, meaning math teachers often have more opportunities than other educators.

Students pursuing a bachelor’s in math education online can take courses while working and caring for a family. These learners complete practicums, classroom observations, and student-teaching assignments at approved locations near their homes. Since many school districts face a shortage of math teachers, generous financial aid packages can help pay most, or all, the cost of an online colleges bachelor’s in math education.

How to Choose the Best Online Math Education Program

Students choosing a school at which to pursue a bachelor’s degree in math education should consider factors including cost, reputation, accreditation, program requirements, faculty, and logistics. Students should also select a regionally accredited institution to ensure employers will recognize their degree. Travel considerations and other practical limitations are also important. Ultimately, prospective students should choose the program that best aligns with their practical needs and academic goals.

What Courses Can Be Taken for an Online Math Education Degree?

An online math education degree requires coursework in general education subjects, pure mathematics, educational theory and practice, and elective subjects. Some education courses cover general pedagogical topics, while others focus on topics for math educators. In addition to classroom work, math education students often complete practicums, observations, and student-teaching experiences. Although each school’s curriculum is different, the courses below are common in many math education programs.

How Much Can You Make in a Math Education Career?

Many math education graduates teach at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Some graduates begin their careers as classroom teachers before becoming administrators or teacher educators. Others become mathematicians. As the table below illustrates, annual median salaries in the field range from $57,000-$100,000. Most careers in education or mathematical science are growing, so math education majors can enter a field with above-average salaries and consistent Job Growth 2016-2026. Of course, no degree guarantees a specific career or salary, but the table below includes a few typical math education careers and the corresponding median salaries.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Projections Central

Scholarships & Financial Aid for Math Education Programs

Higher education can be costly, but there are many ways for students to pay for an online bachelor’s degree in math education. While student loans are common, borrowers have to repay those loans with interest on a first-year teacher’s salary. Grants and scholarships are more valuable, since students do not have to pay them back. Some financial aid packages cover most or all of a student’s expenses.

• AFCEA STEM Teacher Scholarships AFCEA is an information-exchange agency that funds a $2,500-$5,000 scholarship for individuals pursuing a graduate degree or a teaching license in a STEM-related field. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field; must have a minimum 3.5 GPA; and must submit a transcript, a resume, and letters of reference.


• Prospective 7-12 Secondary Teacher Course Work Scholarships AFCEA is an information-exchange agency that funds a $2,500-$5,000 scholarship for individuals pursuing a graduate degree or a teaching license in a STEM-related field. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field; must have a minimum 3.5 GPA; and must submit a transcript, a resume, and letters of reference.


• TEACH Grant This federal grant supports students who plan to teach in high-need fields and low-income areas. The grant awards up to $4,000 per year. Recipients must teach in a high-need subject, such as math education, in an approved area for four years of the first eight years after graduation. Recipients who do not complete this requirement must refund a portion of their TEACH grant through a direct, unsubsidized loan.


• NILRR Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship The National Institute for Labor Relations Research sponsors this $1,000 scholarship, which recognizes three Michigan teachers. Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate education majors at any accredited U.S. institution. Applicants must demonstrate scholarship and an interest in teacher union issues. Applicants must submit a 500-word essay and a transcript demonstrating academic potential.


• NFB Blind’s Scholarship Program The National Federation of the Blind offers scholarships to blind students throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The organization provides $120,000 in scholarship funds through 30 merit-based scholarships, each worth $3,000-$12,000. Applicants must demonstrate academic prowess, leadership skills, and a commitment to community service. Applicants can be studying many fields, including math education.

Online Bachelor’s in Math Education 2021