Online Master’s in Mathematics for Teachers at Shawnee State
Shawnee State University offers an online Master of Science in Mathematics built for teachers who want to teach Ohio’s College Credit Plus courses or pursue advanced math instruction. The 36-credit-hour program takes about 27 months. Teachers who already hold a master’s degree in another field can instead complete an 18-credit-hour graduate certificate in mathematical sciences.
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Elementary teachers cover the full curriculum, but math is different. Advanced math instruction, especially at the college-prep level, rewards teachers who go deep in one subject rather than broad across many. Mathematics is one of those fields where a field-specific graduate degree opens doors that a general education degree doesn’t, and the online Master of Science in Mathematics from Shawnee State is one option built for exactly that purpose.
This is a content-focused graduate degree, not an initial teacher licensure program. It’s designed for teachers who already hold an Ohio teaching license and want the subject-matter credential needed to teach Ohio’s College Credit Plus math courses or take on advanced high school and college-level math instruction.
What the Online Master of Science in Mathematics Covers
Math teachers need more than comfort with the material. They need the ability to break down advanced concepts for students who often approach the subject with real anxiety.
You need both extensive theoretical mathematics knowledge and an in-depth grasp of advanced pedagogical theory and practice to successfully teach advanced math.
The degree runs 36 credit hours and takes about 27 months to complete. Coursework covers:
- Abstract algebra structures
- Principles of statistics in applied linear regression
- Advanced calculus work in differentiation and exponential functions
- Multivariate statistical methods in educational research
That coursework supports several directions after graduation: advanced high school teaching qualifications, college-level instruction, or a starting point for doctoral study.
CCP teaching doesn’t come with any additional Ohio State Department of Education certification requirements. The credentialing standard is academic, not licensure-based, and each college still confirms the specific approval for its own courses.
It may be more challenging to teach such advanced mathematical concepts to high schoolers versus college students.
A master’s in mathematics from Shawnee State gives teachers the subject-matter depth and the confidence to work at either level.
A Faster Path for Teachers Who Already Have a Master’s Degree
Teachers who already hold a master’s degree in another field can take a shorter route through Shawnee State’s graduate certificate in mathematical sciences. The certificate requires 18 graduate credit hours in math, the same threshold Ohio sets for CCP credentialing when a teacher’s existing master’s degree isn’t in the subject area, without requiring a second full degree.
Program Format and Support
Shawnee State first offered a master’s program in 2000 and has built its online offerings around working professionals since. Courses run in 7-week terms, which lets teachers plan coursework around grading, family schedules, or whatever else the school year brings. For teachers weighing whether the added credential is worth it, it’s worth checking how it fits into the bigger picture of Ohio teaching salaries and benefits.
Students also get access to the OhioLINK library network, which includes more than 38 million books, periodicals, and reference resources, along with over 100 research databases and the ETD Search system covering more than 145,000 electronic theses and dissertations from Ohio institutions. Shawnee State also provides tutoring and career counseling to students throughout the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Shawnee State online master’s in mathematics lead to a teaching license?
No. This is a content-focused graduate degree, not an initial teacher licensure program. It’s built for teachers who already hold an Ohio teaching license and want the subject-matter credential required to teach College Credit Plus math courses or advanced high school and college math. If you’re still working out your broader path into math teaching certification, that’s a separate first step.
How long does the online Master of Science in Mathematics take?
The full master’s degree runs 36 credit hours and takes about 27 months of part-time online coursework. Teachers who already hold a master’s degree in another field can instead complete an 18-credit-hour graduate certificate in mathematical sciences.
Do I need this degree to teach College Credit Plus math courses in Ohio?
Ohio’s minimum academic standard for CCP math instructors, set under Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3337-18-01, is a master’s degree in mathematics or a master’s degree plus 18 graduate credit hours in mathematics. Shawnee State’s master’s in mathematics satisfies that requirement directly. The individual college overseeing the CCP course still confirms your specific approval to teach its course.
What courses are included in the program?
Coursework covers abstract algebra structures, applied linear regression and statistics, advanced calculus in differentiation and exponential functions, and multivariate statistical methods used in educational research.
Is the program fully online?
Yes. Shawnee State delivers the program through 7-week online courses designed for working teachers, with coursework you can complete around your teaching schedule.
- Not a licensure pathway. This is a content-knowledge master’s for teachers who already hold an Ohio teaching license.
- Two paths. A 36-credit-hour, 27-month master’s degree, or an 18-credit-hour graduate certificate for teachers who already hold a master’s in another field.
- Ohio’s CCP standard. Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3337-18-01 requires a master’s in the subject area or a master’s plus 18 graduate credit hours in that subject.
- Coursework depth. Abstract algebra, applied statistics, advanced calculus, and multivariate methods used in educational research.
Find accredited math education programs that can help you meet Ohio College Credit Plus faculty requirements or build your subject-area expertise as a math teacher.