Math Teaching Degree Details | WGU Teachers College Online

Master of Arts Mathematics Education (K-6, 5-9, or 5-12)

How This Program Works

WGU offers degrees, not classes.

WGU does not rely upon classes in the traditional sense. We don’t base your progress on accumulating credit hours, but rather on completing challenging assessments that measure your knowledge and skills in a subject area. We ask you to "prove you know your stuff." You’ll study. You’ll write papers. You’ll take tests. You’ll complete assignments.

Here’s how it works:

Your degree requirements are carefully developed to give you high-level competence for teaching in elementary, middle school, or high school mathematics classrooms.
You must pass or complete rigorous assessments (tests, papers, assignments) which will require you to demonstrate your competence in each subject area.
You will work with your assigned mentor on your personalized Degree Plan that establishes the pace at which you prepare for and tackle the required assessments in your course of study.
Each term is a full six months in length. During each term, you can complete as much of your degree as possible.
Progress is measured through Competency Units (CUs), which are credit equivalents that track your completion of the required assessments. To maintain full-time status, you are expected to complete at least 8 CUs in a term; more are possible.
You and your mentor will determine the learning resources (online courses, textbooks, tutorials, etc.) that will best serve you in your competency development.
With few exceptions, you will be able to choose when and where you study, and together with your mentor, you’ll schedule your assessments.

It’s your program.
Online learning isn’t easy. You should expect to work hard and spend 20 hours or more per week on your studies. But your program will be flexible enough to fit into your lifestyle, not the other way around.

Learn more about why you should choose WGU.

Back to topics Back to degree overview

How Long Your Program Takes May Vary

Standard Time to Completion: 2 to 3 years.

WGU’s competency-based approach results in degree completion times that can vary from student to student. The amount of time it will take you depends upon three factors:

The knowledge and skills you already possess in the field.
The amount of time you spend working on your program each week.
Your self-motivation and determination.

Many students proceed faster than the normal pace designed into each program. But don’t assume doing so is easy. WGU programs are quite rigorous. The pace at which you complete your WGU program depends upon how quickly you are able to take and pass the required assessments. Successful students can commit 20 hours or more per week to their studies and are often able to complete their programs more quickly.

Speak to an Enrollment Counselor for a personalized estimate of your time to completion.

Back to topics Back to degree overview

Tuition That’s Affordable

Basic Tuition: $2,890 per six-month term
Resource Fee: $145 per six-month term (non-refundable)
Application Fee: $65 (one time)

You pay for the time, not the credits. Tuition is charged at a flat rate every six months and covers all coursework attempted in that time. A full-time load for this degree program is at least 8 competency units (credit equivalents) per six-month term. Whether you complete more or fewer units, you are charged the same flat rate.

You have a significant advantage if you have extensive experience in your chosen field and the time to take on a substantial course load. If you can shorten the time it takes for you to complete your degree, you pay less. Here’s an example:

2 years (or 4 terms): $11,560
18 months (or 3 terms): $8,670

How does tuition compare to other online schools? Very favorably. Our tuition is typically half what other reputable online universities charge. Other schools charge as much as $600 per credit, which can ultimately cost between $15,000 and $30,000 for programs of this nature. Plus, at WGU you have the benefit of cost savings if you can complete your program faster.

More information about Tuition and Fees
Compare WGU’s tuition to other schools

Federal financial aid is available to those who qualify. Some types of loans are based on financial need; however, one type of loan is available to most students. And because tuition is low, you should be able to finish your degree without large education debts.

Learn more about financial aid
Talk to an Enrollment Counselor to learn what financial aid might be available to you.

Back to topics Back to degree overview

Accredited and Credible

Credibility is a critical factor when considering an online degree program. Accreditation is a key indicator of a university’s credibility among both academia and employers. WGU is:

NCATE accredited—by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. WGU is the first exclusively online university to receive NCATE accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure, a testament to the fact that WGU graduates "have the knowledge and skills to be effective in helping all students learn."
Regionally accredited—by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The Northwest Commission is also responsible for the accreditation of other major universities such as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, Gonzaga University, and the University of Utah, to name a few.
Approved as an NEA Academy Partner—WGU is an NEA Academy Partner.
Founded by 19 governors and supported by major businesses—WGU was founded by 19 U.S. governors. WGU is also supported by over 20 major corporations and foundations who believe in the university’s commitment to producing highly competent graduates. Several of these corporations continue to serve on our National Advisory Board.

Learn more about accreditation.

Our focus on competency development is also valued by employers. As a graduate of WGU, you’ll have a valued credential that is recognized by employers. You can learn more about how employers view WGU graduates by exploring our Student Success and Performance Data.

Back to topics Back to degree overview

WGU Admission Process

To be admitted into this Teachers College program, you must:

Submit an official transcript verifying receipt of a baccalaureate degree (B.A. or B.S.) from a regionally accredited institution.
Possess a current, valid teaching license.
Show proof of having completed a college-level Precalculus or Calculus course with a grade of C or better. Why do you have these requirements?

You will also be required to take and pass the WGU Readiness Assessment—a short, three-part online admissions test that helps determine your likelihood of success in a WGU online degree program.

Speak to an Enrollment Counselor to better understand what is required of you.

More info about Teachers College admissions requirements

More info about Admissions

Back to topics Back to degree overview