Secondary Education – Mathematics

Want to inspire a lifelong love of math in young people? Make it a reality with an M.A.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Secondary Mathematics Education. Our program focuses on integrating theory, research and practice so that in one year, you’ll be ready to step into the classroom with the knowledge, skills and strategies to confidently teach diverse student populations. Get ready to unlock your potential—and that of your students.

This program is designed as a full-time, 12-month (summer, fall, spring) program in which students complete all requirements as a cohort. This model provides for an intense and rewarding experience and creates a strong network of support among students, faculty, cooperating teachers and university supervisors. 

Requirements

Graduate students in Math Education complete a 41-semester hour program that includes educational foundations course work, methods courses in mathematics, and student teaching experiences. Course descriptions and sequence can be found on the Secondary Mathematics Concentration Program of Studies.

Prospective math and science teachers should also consider becoming a Noyce Scholar.

Field Experiences 

In addition to your coursework, you will spend time in real classrooms throughout the program in a diverse range of school settings:

Fall clinical field experience: You’ll be placed in a local school with a cooperating teacher mentor to complete a minimum of 60 hours of observation and interaction. Coursework is linked to the practica experiences, with faculty supporting students as they become immersed in the classroom.

Spring student teaching: Students continue working in the same classroom for their spring student teaching experience. This full-time teaching internship provides an intensive and critical component of your preparation as a teacher.

Licensure Requirements

Students who wish to teach mathematics in public secondary schools must have a state license to do so. To be eligible for a state license in Virginia in Secondary Mathematics, students must have successfully earned a baccalaureate degree, complete a major in mathematics that includes the subject area requirements shown below, complete the course requirements of the Secondary Mathematics Education program, and pass all testing requirements. Students who are accepted into the M.A.Ed. program with undergraduate program deficiencies must complete course work to remove these deficiencies before they are eligible for licensure.

First Aid, CPR and AED Training

Students seeking licensure in Virginia will need to complete training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators.  Students will need to provide documentation of completion of this training, which is usually an official card.  Training courses are offered by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.
Subject Area Requirements

A major in mathematics or 36 hours of coursework distributed in the following areas:

  1. Algebra. Experience shall include linear algebra (matrices, vectors, and linear transformations) and abstract algebra (ring, group, and field theory);
  2. Geometry. Experience shall include Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries;
  3. Analytic geometry;
  4. Probability and statistics;
  5. Discrete mathematics. Experience shall include the study of mathematical properties of finite sets and systems and linear programming;
  6. Calculus. Experience shall include multivariable calculus;
  7. Mathematical modeling; and
  8. Computer science, including two programming languages.
Assessments
  • Praxis Subject Assessment in Mathematics
  • Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
Mathematics Education Program Contact

[[mmmaso, Margie Mason]]
Professor
(757) 221-2327

Download Program Fast Facts (PDF)