Master of Mathematics for Teachers

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to be admitted to the program with a three year degree plus an additional year in a B.Ed. Program?

Yes, students who have a three year degree plus one additional year of university education will be considered to have met the requirement of a 4-year degree or equivalent.

Is it possible to be admitted to the program if I did not have a 75% average in my last two years of education?

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 important role in the admissions process.

How many references do I need and who should I contact for references?

Two letters of reference are required. These can be from School Administrators, Department Heads, or senior colleagues.

When are the deadlines for applications?

Normally, to be accepted for admission to begin in September, a student’s application must be completed by June 1st of the same academic year.

What is the tuition for the MMT?

Tuition will be charged on a per course basis. The current tuition is $927 for a 1 semester (.5 credit) course and $463.50 for a half-semester (.25 credit) course.

Are there additional costs involved in the program?

Yes, in addition to tuition there are fees for each term a student is actively registered in the program. Currently, there is a $20 incidental fee per term.

Additional costs for textbooks and software will vary by course, but we make every attempt to keep these to a minimum.

Are there any tax benefits to participating in the program?

For most Canadian residents, the answer is yes. Please consult the Canada Revenue Agency. Students in other countries are encouraged to inquire with their local tax authority about any tax benefits that may result from participation in the program.

How many courses do I need for my degree?

You must take at least the equivalent of 8 full semester (.5 credit) courses plus the .5 credit capstone course.

How many courses will be offered each term?

This number will vary from term to term and with enrolment. We expect that by the second year of the program there will be at least two courses available in each term.

Back to Top
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. However, if you will not be taking at least one course in a particular term you will be asked to notify the MMT Graduate Officer prior to the beginning of the term.

How long will it take to complete my degree?

This will certainly vary from individual to individual. The degree could be completed in as little as 5 terms, but we expect 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 120 hrs to complete.

Because these are online courses, each student will typically have a fair amount of flexibility in determining when they wish to schedule their course related activities.

Do I have to come to Waterloo or any part of the program?

No. The program has no residency requirement. It is possible to complete the program entirely by distance education. However, we feel that there is great value in students coming to Waterloo to meet one another and to meet the course instructors if at all possible. For this reason we strongly recommend that each student take MATH 690 Summer Conference for Teachers of Mathematics at some point in their program.

What marks should I expect to obtain?

As in most graduate programs in mathematics, most students capable of succeeding in the program can expect to receive marks of 70% or higher in their courses by demonstrating a basic grasp of the material. The courses are designed in an open-ended fashion 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.

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 Teachers. It is not designed to prepare a student to enter a Ph.D. program in Mathematics. It is possible that this program might be appropriate for students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education. We would urge any student or prospective student with this goal to discuss this matter with the MMT Graduate Officer.

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 Directors.