Mathematics Education Concentration

Admission Policy

For admission to a program leading to the Master of Science in Mathematics – Mathematics Education Concentration, Curriculum and Instruction for Secondary Mathematics Teachers emphasis, the applicant must have a Virginia teaching license in Secondary (6 –12) Mathematics or be eligible for one. For admission to a program leading to the Master of Science degree in Mathematics Education, Curriculum and Instruction for K–8 Mathematics Specialists emphasis, the applicant must have a Virginia teaching license in the elementary or middle grades in which the teaching of mathematics is a primary responsibility.

Program Requirements

In order to qualify for a Master of Science in Mathematics – Mathematics Education Concentration Curriculum and Instruction for Secondary Teachers Concentration:

1. The candidate must successfully complete 15 semesters hours of core course works in
   • MATH 510 Discrete Mathematics
   • MATH 525 Linear Algebra
   • MATH 530 Real Analysis I
   • MATH 592 Optimization Theory
   • MATH 548 Differential Equations

2. The candidate must complete at least 33 semester hours of course work (including 15 semesters hours of core courses mentioned above.
   • Required core courses in Professional Education: EDUC 501: Foundations of Education, EDUC 513: Educational Research and STAT 520: Advanced Statistical Methods in Educational Research
   • Required courses in Mathematics education: MAED 562: Curriculum, Instruction & Research in Mathematics Education I and MAED 563: Curriculum, Instruction & Research in Mathematics Education II
   • Required cognate courses in Mathematics: MATH 581: Abstract Algebra and MATH 580: Geometry for Teachers or MATH 584: Calculus for Teachers I *
   • Elective courses in Mathematics or Mathematics education: MAED or MATH 500 and above courses.

*(To obtain teacher licensure, candidates must complete MATH 581, totaling 36 credits for the master program. Additionally, candidates are required to complete 18 credits of mathematics courses for dual enrollment programs).

3. The candidate must complete MAED 592: Research and Thesis, by writing a thesis on a research topic chosen by the candidate and approved by the candidate’s advisor
   • Non-thesis option: In addition to the four core courses, candidates in the non-thesis option track must successfully complete six elective courses (see list below) and pass a comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination will be based on the material covered under the four core courses.
   • Thesis option: In addition to the four core courses, candidates in the thesis option track must successfully complete four elective courses (see list below) and must complete two semesters of MATH 599 – Research and Thesis course in accordance with the policy stated in the University’s graduate catalog by writing a master’s thesis on research topic chosen by the candidate and approved by the candidate’s advisor.

In order to qualify for a Master of Science in Mathematics – Mathematics Education Concentration Curriculum and Instruction for K-8 Mathematics Specialists Concentration:

1. The candidate must successfully complete at least 33 semester hours of course work.
   • (3) Required core courses in Professional Education: EDUC 501: Foundations of Education, EDUC 513: Educational Research and STAT 520: Advanced Statistical Methods in Educational Research I.
   • (1) Required courses in Mathematics education: MAED 562: Curriculum, Instruction & Research in Mathematics Education I.
   • (6) Required cognate courses in Mathematics and Statistics: MATH 505: Number and Number Sense, MATH 506: Geometry & Measurement, MATH 507: Patterns, Functions and Algebraic Reasoning, MATH 508: Rational Numbers & Proportional Reasoning, MATH 579: History of Mathematics and STAT 504: Probability & Statistics.
   • (1) Required course in Professionals Education: EDAS 591: Instructional Leadership.
2. The candidate must complete MATH 591: Field Project/Internship by completing a project approved by mathematics education faculty prior to registration. Students are encouraged to obtain an internship with an education-based provider (school, district office, state office, etc.).

Mathematics Education Graduate Faculty and their Research Interests

Courses

Descriptions of all courses for the Master of Science in Mathematics program can be found in the .