Teaching: Mathematics M.S.Ed.

CIP: 131311

In cooperation with the School of Education, an area of concentration in mathematics is provided for teachers to teach mathematics at the high school level. The purpose of the program is to help mathematics teachers:

1. Acquire increased competency in a broad spectrum of the mathematical sciences.
2. Develop additional skills and understanding in the art of good mathematics teaching, including teaching special students.
3. Study current trends and issues in education, and, in particular, mathematics education.

Note, this program does not lead to teacher certification.

Program Admission Requirements

1. An undergraduate degree in mathematics or a related field which includes the Calculus sequence, a linear Algebra course, and a transition to proof course. Applicants to the M.S.Ed. Teaching Mathematics program who do not have an undergraduate mathematics degree are required to complete MATH 17301 and/or MATH 17302, as determined by the advisor upon admission, with a grade of B or higher.
2. GPA Requirements:
   • A minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 on the undergraduate transcript.
   • OR if undergraduate overall GPA is 2.74-2.99 then writing competency needs to be demonstrated*.
   • OR if undergraduate overall GPA is 2.50-2.73 then writing competency needs to be demonstrated* and admission would be considered conditional (see Conditional Admission to Graduate Study )
3. Valid teaching certificate OR 2 years prior teaching with a valid teaching certificate OR enrolled in an alternative certification program

*To demonstrate writing competency an applicant can

1. pass a school writing assessment** or
2. score 3.5 or higher on the GRE Analytic Writing and a composite score of 280 or higher on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE General Test.

** The writing assessment is not designed to test proficiency in a specific subject. It is rather a test to evaluate applicant’s abilities to critique, organize, and write a concise argument. Any student who fails the writing assessment must repeat the assessment within two weeks.

Advisement

A graduate faculty member from the mathematics/mathematics education area will serve as an area advisor, and her/his signature will be required for the Degree Audit. Any change in a Degree Audit must be initiated by the student and be submitted to the Graduate Office accompanied by written approval from advisors.

Comprehensive Assessment

To meet exit comprehensive requirements, students must pass two required mathematics courses with a grade of A. Should a student have one (or no) A’s in required mathematics courses, they must take 1 (or 2) comprehensive exams in required mathematics course(s) of their choice.

Research Component

A research component will be an embedded assignment in the educational coursework.

What is the Accelerated B.S.Ed./M.S.Ed. program?

This program allows outstanding students to concurrently pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) degree in Mathematics Education and a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) degree in Teaching Mathematics, and to complete graduation requirements in a shortened timeframe at Northwest.

Overview of the Accelerated B.S.Ed./M.S.Ed. program:

The M.S.Ed. Teaching Math program at Northwest requires 30 credit hours of graduate courses. Students completing the accelerated program will be able to take a maximum of 15 credit hours of graduate work in their junior and senior years. These courses would count towards both their B.S.Ed. and M.S.Ed. degrees. Students can complete the remaining hours required for the M.S.Ed. degree upon graduation with their B.S.Ed. degree. 

Admission Requirements:

1. Students can apply for admission no sooner than the end of their sophomore year (graded courses up to a total of 60 hours).

2. Applicants must have a 2.8 GPA overall and a 3.2 GPA in mathematics. 

Advising for courses 

Students may enroll in a maximum of 15 hours of these graduate mathematics courses as undergraduate students and apply them to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Be diligent in choosing courses so as to not exceed 15 hours.

*Since the B.S.Ed. Mathematics Education degree requirements only include 9 hours of math electives, do not take all four possible math electives above.

Degree Status:

1. The student is awarded a B.S.Ed. Mathematics Education degree as soon as the B.S.Ed. requirements are completed. Then, the student will be admitted as a candidate for the M.S.Ed. Teaching Math program. 

2. The student is awarded an M.S.Ed. degree in Teaching Math as soon as the M.S.Ed. requirements are completed. 

Please review the policy section on  Accelerated Programs for additional information.