Mathematics - Elementary & Middle School Mathematics Education

The Elementary and Middle School Mathematics Education graduate sequence is fully online and designed for practicing elementary and middle school teachers who wish to master their level of mathematics in the classroom. One year of teaching experience is recommended, although not required for the program.

The curriculum is a total of 32 hours of courses offering fully online and synchronous instruction in the evenings one or two days a week, depending on your plan of study. You’ll move through the courses sequentially and either complete a comprehensive project in MAT 490 (Research in Math Ed), or write a thesis.  

Please note: This master’s program is not designed for initial licensure, certification or endorsement in mathematics education. Explore our post-baccalaureate mathematics education option that leads to certification if you’re seeking initial licensure to teach mathematics on the secondary level.

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to a master's program must:

• have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so within one academic year
• have a minimum 2.8 GPA (on a scale in which an A is a 4.0) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work
• present unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term. If accepted, official transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 209 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

Statement of Purpose

Upload a statement of purpose that explains:

• Your interest in pursuing a graduate degree in mathematics education from Illinois State.
• What you hope to achieve as a graduate student in mathematics education.
• How your academic and professional goals align; how will this program of study support your growth as a teacher?

Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Upload your current resume or C.V.

Letters of Recommendation

In the application system, enter the contact information for at least one individual who will write a letter of recommendation for you. 

Letters will be uploaded by the letter writers. The letters should address your academic ability and your ability to teach mathematical ideas and learn about mathematics.

GRE

A GRE score is not required for admission, but is required for securing department funding, such as a graduate assistantship in Mathematics or a partial tuition waiver. Competitive scores can help support your chances for admission.

Use institutional code 1319 to submit your scores to Illinois State.

Admission Dates and Deadlines

Graduate Assistantship Information

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,

• be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
• be in good-standing
• be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive

• monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
• a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
• a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Cost & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

Graduate Coordinator