College of Education and Human Development

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Mathematics education MA

To ensure the success of all of our C&I MA and PhD current students, enhance the student experience for future graduate students, and based upon changing federal education guidelines and available funding, the Department of Curriculum & Instruction is pausing admissions on this program for one calendar year. No students will be admitted to start this program in the Fall 2027-Spring 2028 academic year. Admissions processes will resume in Fall 2027 to admit students for Fall 2028. All updated admissions information will be available by September 2027.

The pause of admissions only applies to the MA and/or PhD program on this page. This does not affect the admissions and enrollment procedures for other programs such as the Curriculum & Instruction's MEd programs or certificates. Those programs will continue to admit and enroll students without pause. 

The MA in mathematics education is a research degree designed for experienced educators who wish to explore and improve math teaching and learning. We are focused on helping transition K-12 curriculum from an emphasis on algorithms to one which emphasizes conceptual understanding and problem solving.

Focus areas of research include:

  • STEM integration
  • Learning and cognition
  • Research on instructor preparation
  • Evaluation and assessment

About the program

Curriculum

The MA program can be completed in two years of full-time study or can be completed in a longer timeline on a part-time basis.

To view the core curriculum and electives visit the MA in education, curriculum and instruction page in the course catalogue and look under sub-plan for "Mathematics Education".

Two curriculum options are available for MA students. You can choose either a thesis (Plan A) or final paper (Plan B) to complete your degree.

Research opportunities

You can engage in research that advances the field of mathematics education and ties into your area of interest. Faculty work closely with you to achieve your research and educational goals and improve educational opportunities for students. Learn more about the student research experience in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Career outlook

Graduates of the MA in mathematics education have assumed positions as university faculty, instructional leaders in the public schools, curriculum development specialists, and assessment specialists, Many go on to earn their PhD in STEM education.

    Erin Baldinger Erin Baldinger

    My research centers on the preparation of secondary mathematics teachers. These areas of interest have emerged from my experiences as a middle school math teacher and as a mathematics teacher educator.

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    Erin Baldinger

    Lesa Clarkson Lesa Clarkson

    • Professor
      Birkmaier Educational Leadership Professor
    • she, her, hers
    • 612-626-9243
    • covin005@umn.edu

    The foundation of my research agenda is mathematics in urban classrooms. This interest evolved from my initial study which examined a middle school reform mathematics curriculum to determine if mathematics achievement, as determined by the state…

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    Lesa Clarkson

    Irene Duranczyk Irene Duranczyk

    What motivates me in my work? Being a member of a community that is working to advance an engaged, multicultural peaceful world is my passion.

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    Irene Duranczyk

    Susan Staats Susan Staats

    As a cultural anthropologist with research and teaching responsibilities in mathematics, my academic pathway is varied and unusual.

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    Susan Staats

    Ranza Veltri Torres Ranza Veltri Torres

    My research takes a humanizing approach to investigating how school mathematics can function as a gatekeeper by centering the stories of math learners and doers.

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    Ranza Veltri Torres

    Terrence Wyberg Terrence Wyberg

    My teaching experience began as a high school mathematics teacher in Yuma, Arizona. Since that time, I have taught mathematics at the high school and college levels and mathematics education at the college level.

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    Terrence Wyberg
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