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Online Mathematics Degree Programs: A Complete Guide

Student in an online mathematics degree programGraduates of online mathematics degree programs are key in every sector and industry. All businesses use basic mathematics, while some focus primarily on math, statistics, and data analysis. Insurance, accounting, and policy-making are three such examples. An online mathematics degree can indeed provide the skills you need to work in high-paying, high-growth careers. Whether numbers are the basis of your career or an added skill, you can count on a math degree for a bright future.

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Online Mathematics Degrees: The Different Levels

Certificate

A certificate provides a fast and affordable way to gain a basic education. These online math programs are often the most affordable option and can be completed in less time than a full degree. The mathematics certificates from Indiana University Online take 15 credits. An even shorter option from Northcentral Technical College requires 10 credits.

Many math-based careers require a bachelor’s degree. Certificates may lead to entry-level jobs. However, they are largely used to bolster a career or education, not as a stand-alone education. For example, the Certificate in Pure Mathematics from Indiana University Online is for non-math majors. It can be used by software engineers, investment analysts, data analysts, and more to improve their math skills.

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Associate

Like the certificate programs, an associate’s level online mathematics degree is generally not a standalone education. These degrees are typically used for academic advancement.

For example, one online mathematics degree is the Associate of Science in STEM Mathematics from Liberty University. This program is specifically for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s in math or applied statistics. Similarly, graduates of the associate’s program from Monroe Community College have transferred into bachelor’s programs at universities including Duke, Ohio State, and Purdue.

Math associate’s degrees are available online and require a high school diploma or GED for enrollment. They rarely come with specializations. Most online mathematics programs are broadly-based. However, specialized degrees do exist, like the Natural Sciences & Mathematics / Computer Science program from Thomas Edison State University.

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Bachelor

A bachelor’s level online mathematics degree is the entry-level education for numerous careers. It is the typical education for actuaries, market research analysts, budget analysts, and data scientists.

Online bachelor’s in mathematics require at least four years of study and 120 credit hours. These online mathematics degree programs are available entirely online and come with various focus areas. Students can enroll in programs that include applied math, computational math, or data science. There are also education degrees that train future math teachers. Liberty University offers a variety of degrees that focus on teaching math at different levels, such as the middle grades or 6-12.

Tuition for accredited online mathematics degrees vary greatly. Some programs can cost as much as $75,000. The most budget-friendly option in our database is from Central Methodist University. The total cost for its bachelor’s programs in mathematics is around $34,000.

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Bachelor Completion

A bachelor completion online mathematics degree can help you finish a bachelor’s degree without committing to an entire four-year, 120-credit-hour program. If you have an associate degree, you can use this past education to finish your bachelor’s.

The programs are available in various areas, including mathematical science, natural science focusing on math, or a general mathematics degree. When complete, graduates will have an online mathematics degree that is equal to a traditional bachelor’s degree. All the bachelor’s-level careers will be available, including actuary, data scientist, and analyst.

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Graduate Certificate

Students and working professionals who want to enhance their math knowledge can pursue a graduate certificate. These programs require a bachelor’s degree before enrollment. Many are available entirely online.

Graduate certificates focus on areas such as statistics, applied research, teaching math, operations research, and quantitative research. These certificates usually encompass 10 to 15 credit hours. The Mixed Methods Research program from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln requires 15 credit hours. The Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics from Texas A&M comes in at 12 credit hours.

These online mathematics degree programs can be an affordable option. In fact, our database holds 12 graduate certificates with tuition below $10,000. The most affordable choice is the certificate in Applied Operations Research from the Could not look up degree for "University of Central Florida" using "332802"!. As a matter of fact, this course of study will only cost students around $4,000. On the other hand, the most expensive accredited online programs can cost upwards of $30,000.

Master’s

Master’s degrees in mathematics are made for one of two purposes. Firstly, students can advance their expertise in math and propel their career. The master’s degrees in Applied Statistics and Financial Mathematics from the University of Kentucky are two examples. Graduates can enter careers that include mathematician, statistician, economist, or survey researcher.

On the other hand, some master’s level online mathematics degree programs are designed to develop math teachers. The Master of Arts in Mathematics Education from Fresno Pacific University, for example, is one such online mathematics degree. The Master of Science in Mathematics & Science Education from Oklahoma State University is another. These degrees train students to teach math concepts, therefore allowing people to work as high school or post-secondary math teachers.

Master’s degrees require a bachelor’s degree for enrollment and are available 100% online. Many are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), which specifically approves teacher training programs.

Tuition costs for an accredited online master’s in mathematics range from $11,500 to nearly $65,000. Specifically, the University of West Florida offers the lowest-priced degree with its Mathematical Sciences program.

Post-Graduate Certificate

A post-graduate certificate is an option for anyone with a master’s degree. They are generally designed to help workers advance their skills and knowledge in a certain area. However, graduates of master’s programs without work experience can enroll as well.

They are available entirely online and require at least 30 credit hours. The program from the University of Missouri-Columbia requires 30 credit hours. Meanwhile, the Educational Specialist in Mathematics Education from Nova Southeastern University requires 36 credits.

The online mathematics degrees in this category of our database are made for educators. They are education specialist certificates that basically enhance a graduate’s ability to teach math. One is the Learning, Teaching & Curriculum / Mathematics Education program from the University of Missouri-Columbia. It has programmatic approval from CAEP, the leading group certifying teaching degrees.

Accreditation for Online Math Degrees

Accreditation is the process of verifying a school and an online mathematics degree for academic excellence. Basically, it acts as quality control for the education system. Students in accredited programs can be assured that they are receiving an education that will be respected by employers.

Schools receive institutional accreditation from groups like the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Programs additionally receive accreditation from groups that focus on that field. Engineering degrees, for example, are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission.

For online mathematics degrees, there is no major programmatic accrediting group. However, programs that train math teachers may have approval from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). While there is no math-specific accrediting body, all the schools in our database have institutional accreditation. This ensures that the schools as a whole have been reviewed and approved for quality, including their mathematics degrees online.

Some of the math-based CAEP-accredited programs in our database include:

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Can an Online Mathematics Degree Meet Licensing or Certification Requirements?

Math-related jobs rarely require licensing or certification. With a master’s level online mathematics degree from an accredited school, graduates can directly start working as statisticians or mathematicians. Consequently, there is no need for certification or government-mandated licensing.

Actuaries, a risk-assessment profession often employed by insurance groups, often need certification from the Society of Actuaries to secure a job. This is not a government-issued license, but a voluntary designation expected by employers. Still, online mathematics degrees will meet the education requirements to sit for actuary testing.

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Licensure & Certification After an Online Mathematics Degree

Mathematicians and statisticians need graduate degrees, but licensing and certifications are not required. Graduates of online mathematics degrees can go from the classroom to the workplace without government-mandated licenses.

Actuaries are the only math-based professionals who often need certification. This occupation requires the analysis of risk and financial cost. Often employed by insurance companies, actuaries design policy and pricing for risk-based industries. Certification, while not legally required, is expected by most employers. The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) and the Society of Actuaries (SOA) offer certification. Both have associate and fellow certification levels.

To become an Associate of the Society of Actuaries, for example, applicants need to follow these steps:

  1. Education: Complete an online math program that includes financial mathematics, economics, statistics, accounting, and more.
  2. Pass exams: SOA requires tests in probability, financial mathematics, and pre-actuarial foundations.
  3. Complete e-learning: In addition to an online math degree, applicants must take courses on the fundamentals of actuary practice and predictive analytics.
  4. Approval: Applicants must complete an application for admission as an associate and be approved by the SOA Board of Directors. Once approved, actuaries can add the SOA credential to their resume.

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Careers with an Online Math Degree

Online mathematics degrees can lead to careers that are indeed lucrative (see “Expected Salary for Mathematic Careers” below) and come with high expected growth.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the total job market will grow by 5% between 2021 and 2031. Mathematicians and statisticians will surpass this rate by far, growing by 31% overall. Specifically, there will likely be ample opportunities for statisticians, as this occupation will grow by 33%. By the end of this ten-year period, the BLS expects the U.S. to hold over 45,000 statisticians.

Other math careers will also rise. Actuaries are expected to grow by 21%, resulting in almost 6,000 new jobs and a total of 34,200 positions.

The BLS predicts that occupations rooted in mathematical science will grow by 29%. This growth will be specifically driven by a need to reduce large-scale risk. Measuring and forecasting data will be an important skill for many groups. Statistical analysis will also increase among sectors that include business, government, and healthcare.

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Salary Potential with a Mathematics Degree Online

Math skills are in high demand. People trained in this profession not only have high job growth, they also earn impressive incomes. According to the BLS, the median salary for all math occupations is $98,680. Some specific jobs have even higher incomes.

Actuaries, who typically need no more than a bachelor’s degree, have a median salary of $105,900. The top 10% in this profession earn over $206,000 a year. Those working in government, and also finance and insurance groups, have median salaries around $110,000.

Mathematicians also have strong salaries. The median income for this profession is $108,100. People working for professional, scientific, and technical services have a higher median salary at $129,800.

Statisticians have strong salaries, although this profession, which requires a master’s, earns slightly less. The median salary for this career is $95,570. Statisticians working for research and development employers can expect a median salary of $114,770.

Actuaries who want to earn a strong income should consider moving to the Atlanta area. In fact, in this city, the median income for this profession is $245,520. For perspective, second place goes to the New York area, where the median is markedly lower at $144,550.

Start an Online Math Degree Today!

Even if you never excelled in math, there is an online mathematics degree to fit your needs. Maybe you work in a different sector but want a math certificate to boost your skills. Or maybe you’re looking for a master’s degree to begin a career as a mathematician. Regardless, an online mathematics degree program will help you find success!

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