Online Master's in Mathematics Programs: 2023 List and Guide

An online master’s in mathematics is a great degree to boost your career. More and more jobs require advanced numerical skills to work with analytics, statistics, and probabilities for business success. With a master’s in mathematics online, you can also teach advanced high school math and statistics courses. Other options include applying your skills in high-demand professions such as actuarial science, statistics, and financial mathematics.

The demand for STEM-trained experts is high in many areas, but the need for math skills is a necessity in data science, computational and analytical biology and chemistry, and risk management for government, businesses, non-profits, and academic institutions.

High school teaching and actuarial jobs usually require licensure. Some, but not all, online programs will provide you with the proper credentials for these positions. A license may not be necessary, however, for teaching in colleges or private schools. Similarly, many positions in government and industry don’t require licensure, although you will often have to demonstrate your advanced skills in numerical topics to apply for jobs.

All industries employ math experts, but you’ll find higher concentrations of these jobs in research, the federal government, and post-secondary education. Mathematicians, statisticians, actuaries, and data scientists who rank in the top 10% for salary make a median of $150,00 to $200,00, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While actuaries primarily work in insurance and related industries, there is a growing need for risk management experts in every major industry and government. As a result, jobs for mathematics graduates are increasing rapidly, meaning that those with the skills will have a range of job options in many critical fields.

ARTICLE NAVIGATION:

• Choosing the Best Online Master’s in Math
• Online Master’s in Mathematics Admission Requirements and Costs
• Master’s in Mathematics Online Accreditation
• Careers with a Master’s Mathematics Online Degree

If you want to increase your credentials with an online master’s in mathematics, you have many excellent choices. Math lends itself to studying online, and numerous focus areas are available to advance your career in finance, business, teaching, or other industries. Whether you have been working for a few years or just completed your bachelor’s degree, a master’s mathematics online program is a flexible way to continue your studies and increase your expertise.

A master of science in mathematics or a more specific major like statistics or data science are degrees that prepare you well for various careers in industry or government. An online master’s in applied mathematics is a practical degree for those who want to use their skills to advance business and human well-being.

Choose a Concentration

According to the American Mathematical Society, there are 97 subject areas within mathematics. You will find the most popular degrees in the following areas of mathematics:

• Statistics
• Financial Mathematics
• Operations Research
• Data Science
• Industrial and Applied Mathematics
• Actuarial Science

For those interested in teaching math, a master’s in math education online is a way to gain advanced knowledge to teach upper-level high school or college math courses. Many states require a master’s degree with specific coursework to teach advanced placement classes in public high schools. Colleges will also typically require a minimum of a master’s in mathematics education online to teach at the post-secondary level. The degree titles may be Master of Education with a focus in Math or a Master of Arts in Mathematics Education. Because each state board of education is in charge of licensing public school teachers, ensure that the master’s in math education online that you want to take will qualify you for the teaching license you desire.

Master’s in mathematics education online degree programs can prepare you for specific grades, such as high school math, or particular specialties within education like curriculum and instruction. For example, the M.Ed Mathematics Specialist Leader from George Mason University focuses on curriculum reform and teaching leadership for K-12 math education. In contrast, the MA in Mathematics from Western Kentucky University offers those with a teaching license the skills to teach advanced high school courses, teach math at the community college level, or continue to a doctoral program.

Choose a Format and Schedule

Almost all online master’s in mathematics programs are 100% online. Some offer options for hybrid on-campus/online blended formats. The typical credit requirement is 30-36 credits, equaling 10-12 courses. Many programs can take two years or less to complete. However, for working students, the option to complete the degree at a slower pace may mean it requires longer to finish the master’s in mathematics online.

Online classes are primarily asynchronous for these degrees, but some programs will have synchronous courses or meetings with advisors that students must attend at specific times. Classes may be in a semester arrangement, lasting 12-14 weeks, or a more common online format of 7–8-week courses, making them easier to fit into a busy work and personal schedule.

Choose Your Curriculum

Courses you will see in online master’s in math programs can include the following:

• Advanced Linear Algebra
• Introduction to Financial Derivatives
• Statistical Methods and Data Analysis
• Actuarial Modeling
• Statistical Programming
• Industrial Forecasting and Analysis
• Value and Decision Theory
• Algebraic Systems
• Stochastic Processes
• Applied Probability
• Calculus for Teachers

Online master’s in mathematics programs offer various options for the final project or exam. A thesis option is for those who want to write a paper. A non-thesis option will allow you to complete a final research project. Some programs allow you to complete the program with an exam. In addition, many will have final exit exams and a final project for thesis and non-thesis students.

For example, the Could not look up degree for "University of Alabama in Huntsville" using "332792"! MS in Operations Research offers a thesis option that includes 24 credits of coursework plus six to nine credits of thesis work; a non-thesis option with 33 credits and three to six credits for a capstone project and an exit exam; or a non-thesis coursework option with a minimum of 36 credits of coursework plus the exit exam.

General Requirements

The admission requirements for an online master’s in math vary but typically include:

• Application form
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with official transcripts
• Minimum GPA ranging from 2.5 to 3.25, depending on the school and program
• Personal statement
• Letters of recommendation
• Test Scores

Most programs do not require GRE or GMAT scores, but some allow students with a GPA below the minimum to submit scores to support their application. Foreign applicants will usually need to have their transcripts evaluated and will need proof of English language proficiency.

Previous Degree/Coursework

Specific requirements depend on the program type and the faculty’s expectations. While most programs will require your bachelor's degree to be in mathematics or a related subject like engineering, statistics, science, or computer science, a few programs accept those with a different type of undergrad degree. Students without the prerequisite coursework in mathematics may need to complete courses before applying or at the beginning of their program.

Licensure

For master’s in math education online students, many programs will require you to hold a state teaching license in mathematics. Some offer waivers for math instructors who are teaching in positions that do not require the license, such as in private schools, technical colleges, or community colleges.

Work Experience

Some online master’s in applied mathematics programs for working professionals require a resume and two or more years of work experience for admission. For these programs, the convenience for specialists with work experience to participate in classes allows for a lively exchange of information on applying the coursework to real-world situations.

Costs

Costs for master’s mathematics online programs range from $11,538 at the University of West Florida to $64,490 at Columbia University in the City of New York. The average cost of online master’s in math programs on our list is $27,585.

In higher education, there are two types of accreditation: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation is for the school as a whole, and all the programs we list are from accredited schools. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education both approve the groups that accredit higher education institutions. These will be either the regional accreditation bodies—including the Higher Learning Commission, Middle States Commission on Accreditation, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges—or national accreditors like the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

Programmatic accreditation looks at a particular field of education to make sure that programs are providing the preparations for success in the profession that they train students to enter. For online master’s in applied math and mathematics programs, there is no programmatic accreditor. For master’s in math education online, some programs carry approval by Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). One program with this status is the Master of Arts in Teaching High School Education (8-12) / Mathematics from Campbellsville University.

Resources:

• CHEA - About Accreditation
• US Department of Education - Accreditation
• CAEP

Few degrees offer the wide range of job opportunities you’ll find when you graduate with a master’s in mathematics. Practically every employer in the country desires this skill set, and virtually all industries need math experts. You could, of course, work in the obvious math-related positions, such as a mathematician or statistician. However, you could also work as an accountant, economist, or budget analyst for almost any industry. Likewise, virtually any job that involves numbers will call for a math specialist.

Many of the positions have high expected job growth. With the need for more STEM-educated workers in all fields, mathematics educators will also be in demand. Here are some of the jobs, mean annual salaries, and projected job growth for positions for online master’s in math graduates:

Graduates with an online master’s in mathematics would likely earn more than average for all these positions, as the minimum education for these jobs is a bachelor’s degree. As a result, those with a master’s will be more competitive for employment and command higher salaries in most cases. In addition, with the average job growth for all professions at 5%, most of these positions have outlooks that project at least double that rate, if not higher. The upshot is that there will be many jobs for mathematics master’s graduates.

In preparing for a career in these fields, students may wish to join professional societies specific to their field of interest. For those planning to work as actuaries, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) has resources for students and professionals, as well as certification categories that can add credentials. The American Statistical Association (ASA) has resources for statisticians. The Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematicians (SIAM) is an excellent association for applied mathematicians. The International Association for Quantitative Finance (IAQF) is a good resource for financial employees.

Resources:

• BLS - Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Society of Actuaries
• American Statistical Association JobWeb
• Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematicians
• International Association for Quantitative Finance

Getting your master’s in mathematics online is a terrific move for anyone with numeric aptitude. The explosive job growth in professions that require higher math skills means that there will be many jobs in the future for those with advanced skills. So, if you are considering a degree, getting an online master’s in applied mathematics or a master’s in mathematics education online could be a winning strategy. Use the resources and list of programs on GetEducated.com to make your choice and get started today.