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  • Master of Science in Math Education

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Course description

To review more comprehensive information about courses and what is required in this degree, visit the academic catalog.

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Mathematics Education, Master of Science

The Master of Science in Mathematics Education plan is specifically designed for continuing teachers and emphasizes the connections between secondary mathematics content, effective pedagogy, and reflective practice. Completion of this plan will not result in teacher certification.  All courses in the program are offered online (though one course has a collaborative component).  While certain aspects of this program would be beneficial to those interested in community college teaching, the program itself is not specifically designed to prepare one for a community college career. This program is available only as an extended course work plan.

 

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Requirements Accordion Open

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. (Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.)

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master’s degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.
    Read the full policy.

     

Overview Accordion Closed

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.
Minimum Units for Completion37
Additional Admission RequirementsAdmission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Comprehensive ExamComprehensive Exam is required.
Some online/blended courseworkRequired
Progression Plan LinkView Program of Study

Purpose Statement
 
The purpose of the NAU M.S. Mathematics Education program is to advance the understandings and methods of practicing secondary mathematics teachers.  M.S. Mathematics Education program courses are offered via Distance Learning to accommodate the busy schedule of working professionals.  The program emphasizes rigorous understanding and connections between university and secondary mathematics content in grades 8 - 14 so that mathematics teachers understand the development of, relationship between, and application of mathematical concepts within and beyond the field of mathematics and the real world.  The M.S. Mathematics Education program also connects theory and research to instructional practice in the areas of curriculum, assessment, technology, equity, and problem solving. Throughout the program, and as a capstone project, candidates are expected to plan, apply, and reflect on the implementation of program ideas to existing practice. Graduates from this program are well prepared to be mathematics educators and teacher leaders. 
 
Student Learning Outcomes
 
 Accomplished mathematics teachers acknowledge and value individuality and worth of each student, believe that every student can learn and use mathematics, and use their knowledge of human development and individual students to guide their planning and instructional decisions.  Accomplished mathematics teachers are committed to the fair and equitable treatment of all students - especially in their learning of mathematics and understand the impact or prior mathematical knowledge, home life, cultural background, individual learning differences, and student attitudes have on students and their mathematics learning.  
  
Accomplished mathematics teachers have a deep and broad knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and reasoning methods of mathematics, and they use this knowledge to inform curricular goals and shape their instruction and assessment.  They understand significant connections among mathematical ideas and the applications of these ideas to problem solving in mathematics, in other disciplines, and in the world outside of school.  
 
Knowledge of the Practice of Teaching
 
Accomplished mathematics teachers use their knowledge of pedagogy along with their knowledge of mathematics and student learning to inform curricular decisions; select, design, and develop instructional strategies and assessment plans; and choose materials and resources for mathematics instruction.  Accomplished mathematics teachers stimulate and facilitate student learning by using a wide range of practices. 
 
Learning Environment

Accomplished mathematics teachers create environments in which students are active learners, show willingness to take intellectual risks, develop self-confidence, and value mathematics.  This environment fosters student learning of mathematics.  
 
Ways of Thinking Mathematically
 
Accomplished mathematics teachers develop their own and their students' abilities to reason and think mathematically-to investigate and explore patterns, to discover structures and establish mathematical relationships, to formulate and solve problems, to justify and communicate conclusions, and to question and extend those conclusions. 
 
Assessment
 
Accomplished mathematics teachers integrate a range of assessment methods into their instruction to promote the learning of all students by designing, selecting, and ethically employing assessments that align with educational goals.  They provide opportunities for students to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses in order to revise, support, and extend their individual performance. 
 
Reflection and Growth
 
To improve practice, accomplished mathematics teachers regularly reflect on what they teach, how they teach, and how their teaching impacts student learning.  They keep abreast of changes and learn new mathematics and mathematical pedagogy, continually improving their knowledge and practice. 
 

Detailed Student Learning Outcomes

Details Accordion Closed

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
    • NAU Graduate Online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
    • Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent. 
    • Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
    • Transcripts
    • For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy
    • International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy 


    Individual program admission requirements include:

    • 3 letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement or essay
    • Prerequisites (completed prior to enrolling in the program)
      • Must have at least 2 years of mathematics teaching experience or have successfully completed 6 credit hours of undergraduate mathematics teaching methods coursework (such as MAT 401, MAT 402).
      • Must have completed at least 23 hours of undergraduate mathematics and statistics coursework at the level of calculus and above with a grade of C or better, and have at least a 3.0 grade point average in these courses.
      • These 23 credit hours cannot include the teaching methods courses and must include:
        • Calculus II 
        • Applied Statistics 
        • Foundations of Mathematics 
        • at least 9 hours of upper division proof-based coursework (including Foundations of Mathematics)
      • It is highly recommended that the 23 credit hours include Modern Geometry, Abstract Algebra and Introduction to Analysis, since these topics will be expanded upon in MAT 505, MAT 504, and MAT 506, respectively.
      • Although the majority of courses in this program are delivered online, there are essential face-to-face components embedded in the curriculum. Since certain courses in the program require candidates to implement and reflect on standards-based instructional practices, applicants to the program must be teaching mathematics in the classroom at the time they take these courses.
    • List of courses taken in the field with titles/authors of textbooks used
Master's Requirements
  • This Master’s degree requires 37 units distributed as follows:

    • Mathematics Content Courses: 15 units
    • Mathematics Education Courses:  22 units


    Take the following 37 units:

    Mathematics content courses:

    • MAT 502, MAT 504, MAT 505, MAT 506, MAT 507 (15 units)

    Mathematics education courses:
    • MAT 500, MAT 501, MAT 508, MAT 509, MAT 510, MAT 600, MAT 602, MAT 603  (22 units)

    Perform satisfactorily on a final oral exam conducted by your advisory committee.
Additional Information
  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.
     

Availability Accordion Closed

  • Online

Master of Science in Mathematics Education

Designed for current or future secondary school mathematics teachers looking for more training in the field. This program is offered online.

Additional information

Admission requirements Accordion Closed

You must have completed at least 23 credit hours of undergraduate mathematics coursework at the level of calculus and above with a grade of C or better, and have at least a 3.0 grade point average in these courses. These 23 credit hours cannot include the teaching methods courses (such as MAT 301, 302, 401, 402) and must include:
  • Calculus II (MAT 137)
  • Applied Statistics (STA 270)
  • Foundations of Mathematics (MAT 320W)
  • at least 9 hours of upper division proof-based coursework (including MAT 320W)
It is highly recommended that the 23 credit hours include Modern Geometry (MAT 365), Abstract Algebra (MAT 411) and Introduction to Analysis (MAT 431) since these topics will be expanded upon in MAT 505, MAT 504, and MAT 506, respectively.

Degree details Accordion Closed

An in-person comprehensive oral examination at the end of the program must be taken to graduate.  See the program sheet for more degree details: Current and recent program sheets

Program courses Accordion Closed

  • MAT 500: Reflections on/in Mathematics Education
  • MAT 501: History and Philosophy of Mathematics Education
  • MAT 502: Problem Solving Theory and Practice
  • MAT 504: Connections – Algebra and Number Theory
  • MAT 505: Connections – Calculus
  • MAT 506: Connections – Geometry
  • MAT 507: Connections – Probability and Statistics
  • MAT 508: Technology in Mathematics Education
  • MAT 509: Assessment in Mathematics Education
  • MAT 510: Curriculum in Mathematics Education
  • MAT 600: Equity in Mathematics Education
  • MAT 602: Research in Mathematics Education
  • MAT 603: Capstone Course: Comprehensive Exam and Portfolio
Schedule of courses can be found at the bottom of the Course Rotation page If you have specific questions about our graduate programs, please e-mail the Graduate Coordinator.

Apply Accordion Closed

To apply to the MS Mathematics Education, review the application process.
Mathematics & Statistics
Location
Building 26
Adel Mathematics
801 S. Osborne Dr. PO Box: 5717
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
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Adelmathematics@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-3481
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