2021 Top Online Schools for Mathematics
Scroll down to see the top not-for-profit colleges offering mathematics degrees online.
Want to see the most affordable Math degrees? View them here
Scroll down to see the top not-for-profit colleges offering mathematics degrees online.
Want to see the most affordable Math degrees? View them here
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Unlike lab-heavy disciplines such as engineering, math degrees are easier to deliver via distance learning. Online math degree programs may be combined with other areas of study, including natural sciences and computer science, for a broad analytical education. Other math programs prepare aspiring math teachers and college-level educators.
Reputation matters – especially when it comes to online degrees. Before you invest your hard-earned money, check if your program has:
Bucks County Community College has an online associate degree in math designed for students who want to transfer their credits to a four-year school to complete a bachelor's degree in math or a related subject. Full-time students can complete the associate degree in four semesters. The degree requires students to complete 60 credits, including many of the general education requirements needed for a bachelor's degree. Math courses that are included in the program are discrete mathematics, three semesters of calculus, linear algebra, and two math electives. The degree can be completed entirely through online classes.
Central Texas College offers an online program leading to an Associate of Science in Mathematics. The program requires students to earn 60 credits and can be completed in five semesters - four semesters of full-time study and a summer semester with just one calculus class. To earn the degree, student must complete three calculus courses as well as other math classes in addition to general education requirements. Students who earn the degree should be able to transfer all credits to a four-year college or university. Online classes at CTC are scheduled for eight, 10, 12 or 16 weeks and most are offered in an asynchronous format.
Chadron State College has an online degree completion program for students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Math majors must complete at least 36 credits in math classes, including three semesters of calculus, history and foundations of math, probability and statistics, differential equations, and introductory analysis. The Department of Mathematics also offers online programs leading to a teaching endorsement in math, a minor in math, and a minor in applied statistics. Online students can access the lectures and board work on their own timetable as long as they complete assignments on time. Students who transfer to Chadron State must complete at least one-half of the math classes required for the major through Chadron State.
The online Master of Applied Statistics degree at Colorado State University is designed for individuals who want to work as a practicing statistician in government, industry, or academia. The program is open to both full-time and part-time students. Full-time students can complete the degree in about a year, and part-time students can finish in less than two years. The program divides traditional semesters into subterms, so courses run for about eight weeks. All students start the program in the summer, taking two intensive, non-credit classes that review math and computing skills. All coursework is delivered in an asynchronous format, providing flexibility for working students.
30,614 Students
Columbia University has a Master of Science in Actuarial Science and a Certification of Professional Achievement in Actuarial Science that can be completed online. The master's program is open to full-time and part-time students and requires 36 credits. Full-time students can complete the master's in three terms and part-time students can complete it in six terms. The certification program is designed for recent graduates or career changers who want to enter the actuarial profession. This is a four-class program that prepares students for exams given by the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuary Society. Students who complete the certificate can transfer the credits to the master's program. Both programs allow students to enter in the spring and fall.
A mathematics track is available online for students earning an Associate of Science in Mathematics and Science from The Community College of Allegheny County. This is a degree designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college to study math, and the curriculum parallels the curriculum for freshman and sophomore years, allowing students to complete their general studies requirements through online classwork. Students will also take at least six math courses beyond general education requirements as part of this program. Allegheny has articulation agreements with nearly 30 colleges and universities that make it easy for students to transfer their credits. These schools include Clarion University, Duquesne University, and West Liberty University.
Emporia State University offers a Master of Science in Mathematics that can be completed entirely online. The program meets the needs of students with diverse goals, including students who teach at the high school or community college level, those who work in business and industry, and those who want to pursue a doctoral degree in math. The online classes employ a variety of technologies, including some synchronous classes that allow students to interact with the instructor and classmates. Emporia offers a thesis and non-thesis option. The non-thesis option requires students to complete 11 courses and a project. The curriculum allows for electives so teachers can take pedagogy courses. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in math or a related subject.
6,094 Students
Students in the online Bachelor of Liberal Arts program that Harvard University offers through the Harvard Extension School can major in math. Extension school students "earn their way in" with an admission process that requires them to successfully complete three specified courses for the degree before applying for admission to the program. The bachelor's degree requires 128 credits, and students must take at least 32 credits in the major through Harvard. While many courses are offered online, students must complete at least 16 credits on the Harvard campus. Ways to meet that requirement include a full-time semester on campus, online courses that require a weekend on campus, or accelerated classes thar run for three or seven weeks at Harvard.
Indiana University East has a degree completion program that allows students to complete the last two years of coursework for a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics online. Students who have finished their general education courses can complete the program in two years entirely online. Students can tailor the program for their desired career, such as specializing in financial mathematics. To earn the degree, students must complete 45 credits in math classes, with a required core of 27 math credits in topics such as calculus, linear algebra, real analysis, and mathematical modeling. Students interested in actuarial science may use some finance and economics classes to meet the math electives requirement. The program has a prerequisite of two semesters of calculus.
Mayville State College offers an online Bachelor of Science in Mathematics that students can complete in about three years, including two summer sessions. Mayville uses a cohort format for the degree, which means that a student who fails or drops out of any class in the three-year rotation must find an appropriate substitute class or wait until the course is offered again in three years. The program is designed for students who want to use math in a non-teaching career and requires students to complete a business administration or general science minor. Students who already have a bachelor's degree can complete just the math requirements. Students must take at least 36 credits in advanced math classes from Mayville State.
Mercy University has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics that can be earned entirely online. The 120-credit program includes 60 credits in general education requirements. Math majors must take five foundation courses, including two calculus classes and two classes in foundations of computing. Required courses in the major include number theory, linear algebra, probability theory and applications, statistics theory and application, and mathematical modeling. Math majors also take three electives within the major. Students who have earned an associate degree or attended college elsewhere and want to finish their degree through Mercy's online program may be able to transfer as many as 90 credits. Math majors can prepare for a career in industry, teaching, business, or government.
Individuals with a math background can gain teacher licensure or keep abreast of advances in the field through online programs North Carolina State University offers. The Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics - Secondary Education allows students who have at least 24 credits in math to gain teacher licensure and a master's in as little as 18 months. The MAT program uses a hybrid format that includes both online classes and face-to-face meetings in Raleigh. The Graduate Certificate in Mathematics is a 12-credit program with students selecting courses from an approved list. Both programs require applicants to submit GRE scores.
34,015 Students
Ottawa University has an online program that allows students to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. Students in the online program can take a concentration in actuarial science. Required math courses for the major include three semesters of calculus, plus courses covering probability, differential equations, abstract algebra, numerical methods, real analysis, and inferential statistics. All math majors take a capstone course where they develop an integrative project. Students have 24/7 access to lectures and coursework and there are no requirements for outside study groups. Ottawa University accepts up to 80 transfer credits.
Rochester Institute of Technology offers an online program leading to a Master of Science in Applied Statistics. Students in the program have the option of choosing a concentration based upon their career goals. Available concentrations are: predictive analytics; data mining/machine learning; industrial statistics; biostatistics; and theory. The degree requires students to complete 30 credits in core and elective classes. Required classes cover statistical software, regression analysis, experimental design, and statistical theory. Students choose a capstone project or thesis. Full-time students can complete the degree in two years or less, and part-time students can complete it in about four years. Applicants should have a GPA of at least 3.0 and a background in math and statistics.
The Department of Mathematics at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania has a 100-percent online Master of Science in Data Analytics. The content aligns with professional certificate programs, and graduates will receive a certificate in statistical applications and data analytics from SAS Institute. Graduates are also prepared for the Certified Analytics Professional exam. Full-time students can complete the required 33 credits in 10 months, and part-time students can finish in two years. An internship is optional. GRE scores are not required, but applicants must have prerequisite classes in differential and integral calculus, probability and statistics, and a programming language. Other math-related online programs include a Certificate in Applied Research, Statistics, and Measurement, which is designed for educators.
8,611 Students
Students pursuing an online Bachelor of Science in Mathematics through Southern New Hampshire University can follow a general math track or concentrate in applied math. The curriculum includes two electives in math, so students can tailor their studies to their future career goals, whether they are interested in being an actuary, business analyst, statistician, or want some other related career. The degree requires 120 credits, including general education requirements. Math majors take 11 math courses, including three semesters of calculus, differential equations, abstract algebra, real analysis, and mathematical proof and problem solving. SNHU has six nine-week terms per year, and students have 24/7 access to coursework. Students can transfer up to 90 credits from other colleges.
The Department of Mathematics at Texas A&M University has online options for individuals seeking a master's degree in a math-related subject. The Master of Science in Mathematics has an option for individuals who teach K-12 math or want to teach in community colleges or teach computational math. It is not an appropriate degree for someone who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in pure math. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in math or at minimum taken three semesters of calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and additional math classes. The Master of Science in Statistics and Applied Statistics Certificate programs, both offered 100 percent online, require applicants to have completed at least two semesters of calculus.
63,813 Students
Texas Tech has an online Graduate Certificate in Mathematics that is designed for individuals with an advanced degree who want to increase their math knowledge. The program is particularly aimed at teachers who want to teach dual-credit classes in high school or teach at a community college. This is an 18-credit program that requires students to take six courses, which they can select from a list of more than a dozen options. Most classes approved for this program are available online. Prerequisites for this program include having at least a master's degree and having passed at least two semesters of calculus and a course in linear algebra. Applicants for the graduate certificate do not have to submit GRE scores.
35,859 Students
The University of Tennessee offers an online Master of Mathematics program that is designed for high school teachers, although it is open to teachers at any level. To earn the degree, students must complete 30 credit hours. Core courses include discrete math, algebra, and probability and statistics. Students have several electives. Applicants to the program must be certified to teach secondary school math or have at least three years of experience teaching math at any grade level, two semesters of calculus, and a course in matrix algebra. Core courses are offered in a two-year rotation, with one required course taught each semester, including the summer. There is no thesis or capstone project, but students must pass a comprehensive exam.
27,845 Students
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has three concentrations available for the online Master of Science in Mathematics: pure mathematics, industrial mathematics, and teaching mathematics. Students have the choice of completing a thesis, capstone, or non-thesis option. The curriculum requires students to complete 36 credits, and candidates can finish the degree in as little as three years. Applicants are required to submit GRE scores, and applicants should have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5. This degree does not include any licensure or certifications. The university also has an online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in math education. Students can complete this 30-credit program in as few as 10 months.
The University of West Florida offers a Master of Science in Mathematics through its online campus. Unlike many online programs, the math program is delivered in a synchronous format that requires students to be online at a set day and time for live lectures that are delivered by the university's video conferencing service. The program is designed to serve a wide range of students with different career aspirations, from those who want to work in science or industry to those who want to teach math in high school or community college. Students can tailor the degree by choosing courses that match their career needs. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in math, statistics, or a related field.
Students who want to earn a degree in math can get a head start by earning an Associate in Science in Mathematics online form Tulsa Community College. Students in this program take at least 15 credits in required math classes, including Calculus I, II, and III, and differential equations. With their remaining 11 elective credits, they can take additional math classes or take related courses such as computer programming or physics. As part of the AS curriculum, students complete 34 credits in general education requirements, so they are ready to transfer as a junior and devote their final two years of school to upper-level coursework.
The University of Houston has an online Master of Arts in Mathematics that is designed for students who want to teach math in high school or in a community college. The program is also intended for teachers who want advanced credentials. While applicants do not have to have an undergraduate degree in math, they must have completed three semesters of calculus and have passed advanced math classes such as linear algebra and differential equations. To earn the degree, student must complete 33 credit hours, including at least 21 credits in math classes. They are also required to take a master's tutorial class.
42,704 Students
The University of Illinois Springfield offers its Bachelor of Arts in Mathematic Sciences through an online program. The online program is a degree-completion program covering junior and senior level courses. Students in the math program can tailor their degree to their specific career goals through the selection of technical electives, choosing math or statistics classes to prepare for future work. To earn the degree, students must complete 32 credits in upper level math classes, including a cluster of courses in algebra and geometry or in statistics. To apply for the online math program, students must have at least 30 credits at the lower division level, including three semesters of calculus. They must also pass a math entrance assessment course.
UMASS Lowell's BS in Mathematics is a part-time hybrid program with two optional concentrations: Statistics and Teacher. Applicants should not live too far away from Lowell because many of the core courses are scheduled on campus during the evening. The same is true for the newer BA in Mathematics, which cuts down on the science requirements. The BS in Applied Mathematics shares much in common with the other programs, with some minor tweaks to the required course list. All programs provide a broad overview of the field, including topics such as calculus, physics and statistics.
18,047 Students
The University of Washington has an online program leading to a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics. Part-time students can complete the degree in about three years while full-time students can complete it in about one year. The 100-percent-online program is interdisciplinary and focuses on the math that underlies the physical and biological sciences as well as engineering. To earn the degree, students must complete 36 quarter credits, including four core courses. The curriculum covers topics such as mathematical methods, numerical analysis, climate modeling, mathematical finance, and nonlinear waves and coherent structures. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in math or a closely related subject. Students may enter the program in the fall, winter, or spring quarter.
Western Kentucky University offers an online Master of Arts in Mathematics that is designed for licensed secondary school teachers who want to attain a master's degree to change their rank. The program does not lead to initial teaching licensure and it does not prepare students for doctoral studies in math. To earn the degree, students must complete 30 to 34 credits, which include 18 credits in math classes and 10 to 16 credits in core professional education classes. Students must complete an action research project for teacher leaders as a capstone. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in math or must complete up to six undergraduate math classes, including multivariable calculus and linear algebra.
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