Graduate Opportunities for Teachers

What is your goal that we can help you reach?

I want to become a math teacher or add endorsements:

  • Initial Teaching Certification
  • If you are an elementary or middle-level teacher in Nebraska and would like to add a secondary endorsement in Mathematics Education (6-12), contact Dr. Sara Skretta in CEHS.
  • If you are a Nebraska teacher outside of the Omaha area and would like to add a middle-level endorsement, contact Dr. Chandra Diaz at UNK.
  • If you are a Nebraska teacher in Omaha and would like to add a middle-level endorsement, contact the Department of Teacher Education Advising Office at UNO.
  • Note: Programs such as Math in the Middle and Primarily Math do not count as certifications or endorsements and are not added to your license. The Master of Arts for Teachers degree from the Department of Mathematics is for teachers who have already earned their teaching certification.

I need to earn graduate credits and/or teach dual credit:

  • If you need 18 graduate credit hours of mathematics content courses in order to teach dual credit in high school, you can apply as a non-degree-seeking post-baccalaureate student and take six 800-level math courses from the Department of Mathematics that end with a "T" (or are approved by an MAT advisor). Mathematics and TLTE master's degree programs for teachers are only 30 credit hours, so you can also count those 18 hours toward a degree (see the following section).
  • The Graduate Certificate in Mathematics Education (15 hours) offers coursework that is integral to teachers continued professional development in mathematical content pedagogy in grades 4-16. Most of the coursework is available in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education. The courses completed for a certificate can apply toward a graduate degree at UNL; you need to apply for a degree program prior to completing 18 credit hours (see next section for master’s degree options). This graduate certificate is awarded by the Board of Regents and does not go on a state license.
  • The K-3 Mathematics Specialist Certificate (15 hours plus one 3-credit prerequisite), also known as Primarily Math, benefits teachers by offering specialized instruction in math education in grades K-3. Educators who earn this certificate may continue to work as elementary school teachers teaching in all subjects or assume the roles of math specialists within their schools and districts. Three of the six courses are in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education and the other three are in the Department of Mathematics. The courses completed for a certificate can apply toward a graduate degree at UNL; you need to apply for a degree program prior to completing 18 credit hours (see next section for master’s degree options). This graduate certificate is awarded by the Board of Regents and does not go on a state license.

I want to earn a master's degree:

Master of Arts for Teachers (MAT) from the Department of Mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences

  • This degree is for mathematics teachers who want the primary focus of their degree program to be mathematics / mathematics content.
  • This degree allows you to teach mathematics at a community college.
  • Applications for this degree are reviewed on a rolling basis.
  • This degree can be completed entirely online.
  • Middle-level teachers can apply for a Specialization in Teaching Middle-Level Mathematics when applying for the MAT. We recommend that you take four courses from the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education as part of your 10 MAT courses.
  • While this degree is only 30 hours, you can take additional courses to earn 36 credits for salary advancement.

Master of Arts (MA) from the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education in the College of Education and Human Sciences

  • This degree is for mathematics teachers who want the primary focus of their degree program to be education and mathematical pedagogy.
  • Applications for this degree are accepted on a rolling basis.
  • This degree allows you to easily continue on to earn your doctorate in Educational Studies (see the following section).
  • While this degree is only 30 hours, you can take additional courses to earn 36 credits for salary advancement.

Master of Education (M.Ed.) from the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education in the College of Education and Human Sciences

  • This degree is for teachers who want the primary focus of their degree program to be globally minded instructional practices.
  • Applications for this degree are due February 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring and summer semesters.
  • This degree is completed entirely online.
  • The degree is designed to be completed in three years.

I want to earn a doctoral degree:

  • If you think you want to pursue a doctorate, but want to start with a master’s degree, the MA degree from TLTE is the best foundation for an educational studies doctorate (see section on master's degrees).
  • Educational Studies, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education
  • Educational Studies, Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education
  • If you would like to earn a doctorate in Mathematics from the College of Arts and Sciences, you would need to become a full-time graduate student at UNL and apply for the Doctor of Philosophy (MS/PhD) program.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the Master of Arts for Teachers degree from the Department of Mathematics, please contact Maclaine Thornqvist.

If you have questions about the Master of Arts, Master of Education or Educational Studies doctoral degree from the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, please contact Joelle Tangen.