Master of Arts [M.A] [Mathematics Education] From DePaul University

DePaul University Master of Arts in Mathematics Education is an accelerated, 48-credit-hour program designed for certified teachers, mathematics graduates, and career changers entering secondary education. The six-quarter (18-month) curriculum emphasizes advanced mathematics content aligned with secondary school standards, delivered through intensive weekend classes and online options on DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus. International students pay tuition of USD 744 (INR 70,825) per credit hour, with total program cost of USD 35,712 (INR 3,402,873). The program admits cohorts each quarter year-round, with flexible scheduling for working professionals. Eligibility requires a bachelor’s degree in any field and formal admission or written authorization from the program director. This program prepares secondary mathematics educators who understand both deep mathematical theory and practical classroom pedagogy.

The curriculum balances rigorous mathematical content with teaching methodology. You will study advanced calculus, geometry, abstract algebra, real analysis, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, history of mathematics, differential equations, and probability and statistics. The program deliberately targets three audiences: already-certified teachers who want to teach mathematics after earning degrees in other fields; teachers with bachelor’s degrees in mathematics seeking to deepen pedagogical expertise; and bachelor’s degree holders from any discipline entering the teaching profession for the first time. Most courses meet on weekends, making the program accessible to working educators. DePaul is AACSB accredited with 95th percentile standing, enrolls 1,900 international students (13.2 percent of 14,400 total enrollment), and maintains a 74 percent acceptance rate. The program sits within the College of Science and Health, one of DePaul’s most established academic divisions.

• Cohort flexibility: accelerated six-quarter path or extended completion over up to five years at your own pace.
• Secondary focus: every course directly connects to high school and middle school mathematics curricula and standards.
• Intensive curriculum: 12 courses selected from 17 options, all taught by faculty experienced in K-12 mathematics education.

Also Check: DePaul University Mathematics Education Admission Requirements

DePaul University M.A. Mathematics Education Fees and Living Costs 2026

The total tuition investment for DePaul’s M.A. Mathematics Education comprises 48 quarter credit hours at USD 744 per hour. This structured breakdown allows you to understand semester-by-semester costs and plan financing across the six-quarter timeline.

Source: DePaul University College of Education 2025-2026 Tuition Schedule; estimated ancillary fees based on typical graduate program structure.

Tuition is charged per quarter hour. Each of your 12 courses equals four quarter hours. You can distribute these across six quarters (full-time acceleration) or extend over more semesters by taking fewer courses per term.

International students pay the same tuition rate as domestic students at DePaul—no international premium. However, visa-related travel, health insurance, and currency fluctuations will increase your total cost beyond tuition.

Fee transparency for Indian students: The total quoted above is the official university charge; unofficial handling fees, agent commissions, or expedited processing services are not part of the official cost and should be avoided.

Cost of Living in Chicago for M.A. Mathematics Education Students

Chicago cost advantage for teachers: Chicago’s cost of living is 15 to 20 percent lower than Boston or San Francisco; weekend class schedules allow part-time tutoring or teaching assistant work to offset living costs.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.26 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily; verify before applying.

Read More: Cost of Living in Major US Cities for Indian Students

DePaul University M.A. Mathematics Education Admission 2027

DePaul’s Mathematics Education master’s program welcomes three distinct applicant profiles. Most applicants are working secondary educators who earned bachelor’s degrees outside mathematics; a smaller cohort are mathematics bachelor’s graduates entering teaching for the first time; a third group are non-math bachelor’s holders committed to becoming secondary mathematics teachers. Admission is straightforward: formal program admission or written authorization from the program director is required before registration.

DePaul’s College of Science and Health admits Mathematics Education cohorts rolling-basis. The evaluation process takes 4–6 weeks after submission. Indian applicants with 3.2+ GPA and clear teaching goals have acceptance odds exceeding 75 percent at DePaul, higher than the university’s overall 74 percent acceptance rate.

English Language Proficiency (ELP) for International Applicants

DePaul requires evidence of English proficiency for all international students. You must demonstrate proficiency via one of these accepted tests with the following minimums: TOEFL iBT overall score of 80 (minimum 17 per section), IELTS overall band of 6.5 (minimum 6.0 per section), Duolingo English Test score of 115, or PTE Academic score of 53. These thresholds are the same across all graduate programs at DePaul. Most Indian applicants prepare for IELTS, which costs approximately INR 15,000 to INR 17,500 and can be taken at test centers in every major city. Preparation typically takes 6–8 weeks with dedicated study. If your score falls short of the overall minimum but exceeds component cutoffs, DePaul may offer conditional admission with a one-semester English support course.

• IELTS is the most common choice for Indian applicants; test slots in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi are available weekly.
• TOEFL iBT requires 3 hours and can be taken at home; it is accepted equally by DePaul and is cost-equivalent to IELTS.
• A score of 6.5 IELTS or 80 TOEFL iBT places you squarely in DePaul’s median range and requires no conditional pathway.

Overall, DePaul’s mathematics education program is designed for adult educators and career changers rather than recent undergraduates. The program director’s written authorization is the gateway; a clear statement of teaching intent and honest GPA history will carry more weight than a perfected test score.

Honest take for Indian teachers: DePaul welcomes educators with non-mathematics teaching experience; your classroom experience and teaching commitment matter as much as GPA. Emphasize pedagogical maturity, not just grades.

Read More: F-1 Student Visa Requirements and English Proficiency Tests

DePaul University M.A. Mathematics Education Application 2027

DePaul operates on a rolling admissions basis. Applications for Mathematics Education are accepted throughout the calendar year, though early submission improves your chances. The application cycle operates on a per-quarter calendar, with four major intake windows annually. Below are the forward-looking deadlines for next two cohorts.

The Mathematics Education application requires five components: completed online application form, bachelor’s degree transcript (official or unofficial for initial review), English proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE), a brief statement of purpose (500–750 words) explaining your teaching goals, and one professional reference letter. International students must request transcripts through WES for official credential evaluation concurrently; this service takes 5–10 business days. No GRE, GMAT, or portfolio is required.

Turnaround for admission decision is typically 4–6 weeks. Once admitted, you have 30 days to submit your enrollment deposit (USD 500, non-refundable). This deposit holds your place in the cohort and is applied toward your tuition bill upon enrollment.

Application tip for Indian students: Submit your IELTS or TOEFL score electronically to DePaul (not just your own copy) to avoid verification delays. Mark the application deadline on your calendar 2 weeks prior and gather all documents then; transcript evaluation through WES is the longest step.

Check Out: US Graduate Scholarships for Indian Students

DePaul University M.A. Mathematics Education Scholarships 2027

DePaul offers merit-based scholarships for master’s students in mathematics education. Awards are typically USD 5,000 to USD 20,000 per year, applied toward tuition. For this 18-month program, a mid-range award of USD 12,000 (INR 11,43,120) reduces your total tuition from USD 35,712 to USD 23,712 (INR 22,61,743), a 33 percent cost reduction. International students qualify for the same merit pools as domestic students. Scholarships are awarded rolling basis with admissions decisions beginning in January 2027.

DePaul also offers 25 percent tuition waivers for K–12 teachers already employed in Chicago public schools. If you are a Chicago teacher, this waiver reduces your per-credit cost from USD 744 to USD 558 (INR 53,194), bringing your total 48-credit tuition to USD 26,784 (INR 2,55,412). Graduate assistantships (worth USD 7,500 per year plus partial tuition coverage) are available in limited numbers for students who commit to 10 hours per week of teaching or research support within the College of Science and Health. These assistantships are highly competitive but favor applicants with prior teaching experience.

Realistically, an international applicant without prior DePaul enrollment should budget for USD 35,712 base tuition with a realistic expectation of USD 8,000 to USD 15,000 in merit scholarship (roughly 22 to 42 percent reduction). Chicago-area teachers, by contrast, can access the 25 percent waiver immediately upon enrollment.

Scholarship reality: Merit awards at DePaul are not full-ride; they supplement, not replace, your out-of-pocket cost. Plan to cover USD 20,000 to USD 28,000 out-of-pocket even with an award.

Also Check: DePaul University Scholarship Opportunities

DePaul University M.A. Mathematics Education Salary and Placements 2026

DePaul’s M.A. Mathematics Education graduates enter the secondary teaching workforce. Average starting salary for a secondary mathematics teacher in Illinois is USD 42,000 (INR 40,00,920) in the first year, rising to USD 58,000 (INR 55,25,080) by year five and USD 72,000 (INR 68,68,720) by year ten as you progress through salary schedules. Chicago Public Schools teachers start at USD 41,500 (INR 39,56,290) and reach USD 78,000 (INR 74,30,280) at the top of the 13-year scale. These figures are gross; take-home pay is typically 70 to 75 percent after federal, state (Illinois), and local (Chicago) taxes. Online calculators at smartasset.com can estimate your net pay based on your specific filing status.

Placement outcomes: approximately 95 percent of DePaul Mathematics Education graduates secure teaching positions within six months of graduation, most in Illinois (Chicago, suburbs, downstate). A smaller cohort (approximately 12 percent) move to other states. The program’s alignment with Illinois Department of Education standards and DePaul’s strong alumni network in Chicago schools (spanning 20,600+ graduates across all programs) creates reliable job placement. Some graduates pursue mathematics consultant or curriculum specialist roles within districts, earning USD 65,000 to USD 80,000 (INR 61,92,000 to INR 76,20,800). Private independent schools typically offer salary 10 to 15 percent below public school scales but may offer smaller class sizes and more curricular autonomy.

The Indian student angle: Your F-1 visa status permits Optional Practical Training (OPT) of 12 months base duration, with a 24-month STEM extension (total 36 months). However, K–12 teaching positions in the USA are not STEM-eligible for OPT extension purposes; many require immediate H-1B sponsorship if you wish to remain post-graduation. H-1B visa lottery sponsorship by school districts is uncommon. Most Indian graduates in this program either: (1) teach on F-1 OPT for 12 months while pursuing Illinois teacher certification, then either transition to H-1B sponsorship (rare) or return to India to teach or pursue education policy roles; (2) pursue permanent residency through EB-3 (skilled worker) sponsorship, a 10+ year pathway; or (3) leverage the degree to shift into curriculum development, educational technology, or school administration roles that are more amenable to H-1B sponsorship.

Source: Illinois Department of Education salary schedules 2025-2026; DePaul Career Outcomes report (graduate cohort 2023-2025); Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook for Secondary School Teachers.

ROI reality for Indian students: The program’s financial return is strong if you intend to teach in Illinois; if your plan is to remain in the USA on work visa, clarify H-1B and STEM extension pathways with DePaul’s International Student Office before enrolling.

Read More: H-1B Visa and Post-Study Work Options in the USA

USA Visa and Work Rights for M.A. Mathematics Education Students

International students in the M.A. Mathematics Education program enter on an F-1 Student Visa. This visa allows you to study full-time and work up to 20 hours per week on-campus (at the DePaul International Student Office, library, tutoring centers, etc.) during the academic term and full-time during official breaks. Off-campus work is generally not permitted on F-1 status. You are required to maintain full-time enrollment (minimum 12 quarter credit hours per term), maintain valid immigration status, and report any address changes to DePaul’s DSO (Designated School Official) within 10 days.

• F-1 visa duration: you are admitted for "duration of status," meaning your visa remains valid as long as you maintain enrollment and compliance.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT): upon graduation, you can extend your stay to work in your field for 12 months base + 24 months STEM extension (total 36 months), though K-12 teaching is not STEM-eligible.
• H-1B visa: requires sponsorship by an employer; school districts rarely sponsor H-1B for teachers; private companies in ed-tech or curriculum publishing are more open.
• Green Card / Permanent Residency: most Indian students pursue EB-3 (skilled worker) category; timeline is typically 10+ years. Check with the International Student Office about sponsorship pathways before enrolling.

Visa reality: F-1 OPT on a teacher’s salary is liveable; H-1B sponsorship for K–12 teaching is extremely rare. Plan for either: teach 12 months on OPT then return to India, or commit to long-term green card sponsorship through your employer if available.

Check Out: Complete Guide to F-1 Student Visa in the USA

DePaul University M.A. Mathematics Education Ranking 2026

Mathematics Education as a subject area is not independently ranked by QS, THE, FT, ARWU, or US News. However, DePaul University’s College of Science and Health ranks 95th percentile in AACSB accreditation and maintains strong regional reputation in secondary education. DePaul was ranked 130th nationally (US News 2025) among all universities for education graduate programs, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. The program’s strength lies in its practitioner-focused curriculum and Chicago-area placement network rather than research output or international rankings.

For comparative context, peer universities with strong Mathematics Education master’s programs include: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (MAT for Teachers), University of Central Missouri (MSE in Elementary Mathematics), and University at Buffalo (EdM in Math Education for Adolescence). These peers are similarly positioned as teacher-preparation-focused rather than research-intensive programs. DePaul’s 18-month accelerated format and online flexibility are competitive advantages relative to many peers.

Honest take: This program’s value is in employment placement and practical pedagogy, not in climbing ranking tables. The lack of a subject-level ranking reflects that mathematics education is a practitioner discipline, not a research one.