Master of Mathematics for Teachers
Source: https://cemc.uwaterloo.ca/mmt Parent: https://cemc.uwaterloo.ca/
Deepen your understanding of the core foundations of mathematics – online and at your own pace.
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The Master of Mathematics for Teachers (MMT) program is an online, part-time graduate program designed for secondary-school mathematics educators. This program strengthens educators’ knowledge of mathematics and its applications by combining flexibility with world-class education to deliver a rich learning experience. The program equips graduates to engage their students with renewed confidence and enthusiasm.
Overview
This fully online program is designed for secondary-school educators who wish to:
- Grow their understanding of the mathematical foundations of core secondary-school curricula.
- Discover exciting applications of mathematics like cryptography and music.
- Explore new and innovative ways to bring their knowledge into the classroom.
MMT at a glance
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Fully online
study anywhere\
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Part time
learn asynchronously\
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Advance your knowledge
explore real-world applications\
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Tailored for teachers
of secondary-school classrooms\
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World-class instruction
by award-winning professors\
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Grow your confidence
to amplify impact\
Program details
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Purpose and audience
The primary focus of the MMT program is mathematics and its applications rather than pedagogy. Some of the material and tasks in each course are directly applicable to daily classroom teaching, but much is intended to build educators’ confidence in mathematics by strengthening their knowledge base.
This program is designed for secondary-school mathematics educators. The focus on the secondary-school mathematics curriculum might also make the program a good fit for other educators who teach secondary school-level math. It is expected that applicants will have been away from formal education for several years at the time of enrollment.
Educators from around the world enroll in the MMT.
Delivery and timing
The MMT is a fully online professional Master’s program offered on a part-time basis. Almost all required coursework is asynchronous. Due to the sequence of courses offered, students begin the program in September.
Students typically finish the program in three years, but it can be completed faster or slower depending on individual circumstances.
Courses
Students must complete the equivalent of nine full-term courses, including a project-based capstone. Only the equivalent of three full-term courses is required out of these. A “full-term” course refers to 0.5 units.
Students have the flexibility to choose the remainder of their courses as electives from the program’s course offerings.
Students in the MMT program benefit from the strength of the University of Waterloo’s world-renowned Faculty of Mathematics and the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing, Canada’s leader in mathematics education outreach. Our faculty are experienced, award-winning educators with a passion for mathematics and computer science education.
Here are just some of the courses we offer:
- Problem Solving and Mathematical Discovery
- Foundations of Calculus
- History of Mathematics
- Number Theory for Teachers
- Cryptography
- Statistics for Teachers
- Mathematics for Global Citizens
- Math and Music
To see the courses that we anticipate offering over the next two years, visit MMT Courses.
Tuition
Based on the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition is \$1085.00 for a full-term course and \$542.50 for a half-term course. Students can expect to pay under \$1200.00 CAD per course, which includes fees and the cost of textbooks and other materials. To graduate, students complete the equivalent of nine full-term courses. See the University of Waterloo’s graduate program tuition for more information.
Many Canadian residents qualify for a tax break. Please consult the Canada Revenue Agency.
We encourage all students to inquire with their tax authority as well as their school board or Ministry of Education (or the equivalent) about any tax benefits that may result from participation in the program or any professional development subsidies that may offset or cover its cost.
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2026 will be made available here a few months before the submission deadline in June:
- MMT Indigenous Scholarships
- Description
- Scotiabank MMT Scholarship
- Description
Scholarship applicants may contact us if the program application fee is a concern.
Admissions criteria
The following admissions criteria must be met in order to be eligible to apply:
- Four-year degree (or equivalent) with sufficient university-level mathematical background (normally at least three or four university-level mathematics courses).
- Have at least one year of prior work experience in education, with preference given to those actively teaching mathematics, science or computer science at the time of application.
- Provide certification of English Language Proficiency through one of the accepted examinations if you do not qualify for an exemption.
Documentation requirements
Applicants apply to the MMT program through the University of Waterloo’s online application system. The following documentation must be submitted through the online application system by June 15:
- Academic transcript from each post-secondary institution that you have attended (past or current). Each transcript should show all courses and marks, along with the transcript legends/keys/grading scales, and where applicable, date conferred. All post-secondary education (universities and colleges) must be declared on your online application. This includes incomplete studies and transfer credit courses.
- Two professional letters of reference from school administrators, department heads or a supervisor.
- Curriculum vitae/resumé indicating your relevant academic and professional experience.
Reference forms must be completed by your referees through the online system. Please ensure that you provide your referees with adequate time to complete this process prior to June 15. Late or incomplete applications may not be accepted.
Application process
There is one admission cycle per year. The application deadline is June 15, and students must begin the program in September due to the sequence of courses offered.
Applicants must apply through the University of Waterloo’s online application system.
CEMC stories
Our contests, programs, tools, and resources have a significant impact on students and educators worldwide.
“The professors delivering the courses were excellent and extremely available and understanding of the wide range of backgrounds of their students... I am a more confident teacher since starting the MMT and find myself often referring to what I have learned.”
MMT Graduate, Whitehorse, Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
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Admissions and Registration
- Is it possible to be admitted to the program with a three-year degree plus an additional year in a B.Ed. Program?
Students who have a three year degree plus one additional year of university education will be considered on a case by case basis. - Is it possible to be admitted to the program if I did not have a 75% average in my last two years of education?
In some cases, yes, particularly if you have been out of school for at least three years. In such cases, an applicant’s professional experience and accomplishments will play an augmented role in the admissions process. - What counts as "sufficient mathematical background"?
Normally, teachers who have taken at least three or four university level mathematics courses are deemed to have "sufficient" background to be admissible, assuming that they meet the other admission criteria. - Are there additional costs involved in the program?
Students can expect to pay under 1200.00 CAD per course. This includes tuition, fees, and the cost of textbooks and other materials. Currently, there are roughly 45.00 in incidental fees per term. See the University of Waterloo's graduate program tuition for more information.
The cost of textbooks and software will vary by course, but we make every attempt to keep these to a minimum.
Courses
- How many courses do I need for my degree?
You must take the equivalent of 9 full semester (0.5 unit) courses including:
MATH 600 (Introduction to Mathematical Software for Teachers) (0.25 units)
MATH 692 (Reading, Writing and Discovering Proofs) (0.25 units)
MATH 681 (Problem Solving and Mathematical Discovery) (0.5 units)
MATH 699 (Master of Mathematics for Teachers Capstone) (0.5 units) - How many courses will be offered each term?
This number will vary from term to term and with enrolment. Currently, we offer at least six courses each term. - How many courses must I take per term, per year?
There is no minimum or maximum number of courses required per term or per year. With limited exceptions students can also be inactive for terms during which they do not take any courses. - How long will it take to complete my degree?
This will certainly vary from individual to individual. The degree could be completed in as few as five terms, but we expect that most students will complete all of the requirements in two to four years. - How much time would I have to devote to complete a typical course?
The answer will vary course to course and student to student. However, we are conscious that most of our students will be working full time. As such we are expecting that most courses will require about 12 to 15 hours per week to complete. \ Because these are online courses, each student will typically have some flexibility in determining when they wish to schedule their course related activities within the fixed deadlines for a given course. - Do I have to come to Waterloo for any part of the program?
No. The program has no such requirement. The program is completed entirely by distance education. - What marks should I expect to obtain?
The mark required to pass an MMT course is 70% and most students achieve marks above 80% in most courses. Students capable of succeeding in the program can expect to receive marks of 70% or higher in their courses by demonstrating a solid grasp of the material. The courses are designed so that students wishing to devote more of their time can achieve marks that are higher. In almost all cases, we anticipate that marks from individual courses will not be relevant beyond the program.
General Questions
- Will this program prepare me to do a Ph.D. in either Mathematics or Mathematics Education?
This program is a professional Master’s degree targeted at mathematics educators. It is not designed to prepare a student to enter a Ph.D. program in mathematics. However, it might be that this program is appropriate for students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics education. If a PhD is your end goal, we recommend that you check with PhD programs in which you might be interested to find out if the MMT could be suitable to lead towards their program. - Will this program allow me to obtain teaching certification?
Generally, the answer to this question is no. However, we urge you to look carefully at the requirements for certification in the jurisdiction in which you reside or wish to work. - If I have any further questions, who should I contact?
You can contact the MMT team and they would be happy to assist you.
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