Remote Math in the Middle
Designed for teachers who teach math in grades 4-8, Math in the Middle supports a cohort of teachers who work together as they participate in a 36-hour graduate program leading to a Master of Arts for Teachers (MAT) degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) Department of Mathematics. Since Math in the Middle began in 2004 with support from the National Science Foundation, over 300 teachers have earned a master’s degree from UNL as part of Math in the Middle. We are now accepting applications from teachers who want to be of this community of highly qualified teachers of mathematics in the middle grades. Acceptance will be done on a rolling basis.
To begin, teachers selected for Math in the Middle will take two classes in Summer 2022, with an option to take additional courses for those who want a fast start to their graduate program. Because most UNL courses in Summer 2022 will be offered via web conferencing and do not require any travel to Lincoln, this is a particularly good time to start work on your master’s degree.
The remote cohorts of Math in the Middle since 2020 have been designed with flexibility in mind. For example, while applicants should take at least eight courses with their Math in the Middle peers, substitute courses will be considered when appropriate and teachers with prior graduate credit will work with their advisor to determine which courses can count toward their master’s degree, thus shortening the time to degree. Also, since at least six, and possibly more, courses will be taken online, teachers whose home is at a distance from Lincoln may find this the best time to participate in a program like Math in the Middle.
Application Information
In order to take graduate classes at UNL, you need to either be admitted to a master’s degree program or admitted as a post-baccalaureate student. Graduate Studies at UNL uses CollegeNet for its application process. Please note that there is a $50 application fee.
If you don't believe you can gather all of the application materials for the Master of Arts degree program in time, you should apply as a post-baccalaureate student. You can apply later to the MAT in Mathematics or the MA in TLTE later. Once you create an account in CollegeNet and reach the Program Selection step, type "post" and select the "Post-Baccalaureate (Non-Degree)" program as your degree objective. Transcripts that you upload on your own are considered “unofficial” but sufficient for the application review. To register for courses, UNL will need official transcripts (sent directly from the institution to graduate@unl.edu).
Applications for the Master of Arts for Teachers (MAT) or Master of Arts from TLTE degree programs should be completed before you finish six courses at UNL. You can apply in Fall 2022 or Spring 2023 for the MAT or for the Master of Arts in Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education (TLTE). Again, you will apply in CollegeNet. For the degree from the Mathematics department: When you reach the Program Selection step, for the MAT type "math" and select the "Mathematics (MAT)" program as your degree objective. Many middle-level teachers will also want to choose the "Mathematics (MAT) - Teaching Middle Level Mathematics" specialization. The MAT application will ask you to provide:
- Official transcripts from your bachelor's degree, as well as any graduate coursework. Note: If your undergraduate degree is from UNL/UNO/UNK, it is not necessary to request a transcript.
- A letter of intent, stating your goals for your master's degree
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Your teaching license (if you are not a Nebraska teacher)
- Your resume
Costs and Financial Support
Each semester that you register for classes, there is a one-time, $20 registration fee. For current tuition rates and fees, visit: https://studentaccounts.unl.edu/tuition-fees.
In recognition of the importance of K-12 mathematics education to the State, Nebraska teachers are eligible for two special financial benefits as part of the NMSSI program:
- a 20% tuition discount; and
- The NMSSI Fellowship Program, which offers partial fellowship support to further reduce the cost of graduate education.
The NMSSI program is only available during the summer semester.
Summer 2022 Courses
To join the Math in the Middle program in 2022, the program will begin with Math 800T: Math as a Second Language and Math 802T: Functions, Algebra & Geometry. Participants who already have credit for Math 800T or Math 802T will work with an adviser to discuss alternate courses for Summer 2022.
The recommended sections for Math in the Middle participants are:
- Math 800T, Sec. 596: To build a sense of community, this course will be offered synchronously June 6-10 and June 13-17, with live whole-group Zoom meetings from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 2:30 pm. If this timeframe does not work for you, you may take the section 700 of Math 800T from June 6 to July 8 online asynchronously.
- Math 802T, Sec. 595: To follow-up and continue with this format of learning, this course will be offered synchronously June 21-24 and June 27-July 1, with live whole-group Zoom meetings in the afternoons.
Math in the Middle participants who want to take advantage of web conferencing during Summer 2022 and have the time to commit to additional coursework should discuss this option with an adviser. Other options that would count toward the Math in the Middle program are TEAC 849G, which will be offered June 6-17 in the afternoons, or TEAC 807B, which will be offered June 21-24 and June 27-July 1 in the afternoons. Teachers who have taken Math 800T and/or Math 802T could take STAT 811T, which will be offered June 13-17.
