The School of Mathematics and the IT Center for Educational Programs ( ITCEP ), in cooperation with the Curriculum and Instruction Department in the College of Education and Human Development, offer a Master's Degree Program in Mathematics with emphasis in Mathematics Education.

This program is open to anyone with an Bachelor's degree in Mathematics who also fulfills the admission requirements for the Mathematics graduate program at the University of Minnesota, click here for details.

In addition to obtaining a master's degree in math, students in this unique program also gain a solid knowledge of advanced mathematics, excellent teaching skills, and modern approaches to pedagogy. This preparation certifies students to teach mathematics in Minnesota high schools, and prepares them for community college instruction. Furthermore, program participants have the unique opportunity to teach in innovative U of MN undergraduate calculus courses and the Talented Youth Mathematics Program for mathematically promising middle school and high school students. Teaching assistantships are available to qualified applicants while completing this program.

Well-prepared, full-time students need two years and one summer of study to complete the masters program. In the first year, students usually complete the required mathematics sequences: 1) an analysis-based sequence, 2) an algebra-based sequence, and 3) one additional mathematics sequence. The courses are chosen from a wide variety of upper division undergraduate and graduate courses. State licensure requires mathematics coursework in probability/statistics and geometry. These can be included in the program if necessary. Candidates also attend a professional seminar discussing modern pedagogy and teaching issues in precollegiate and undergraduate mathematics education.

In the summer session following their first year of study, many students begin coursework in the foundations of education and in mathematics education. This coursework continues over the second year of study, including approximately eight weeks of full-day student teaching in mathematics in the spring. At the end of the second year, students usually have sufficient credits in education and mathematics to obtain State licensure. Successful completion of a final oral examination is required to be awarded the Masters Degree.

Requirements for Secondary Education Licensure

Please be aware that this Mathematics Education program is, first and foremost, a Mathematics Master's program. It therefore involves taking a number of graduate level mathematics courses. It would provide significantly more than the background needed to be certified to teach. Students who do not meet the admission requirements for this program might wish to consider, instead, a program in the Curriculum and Instruction department, see http://education.umn.edu/CI/Math/MEd.html

Classroom Innovation

The School of Mathematics and the Institute of Technology (IT) faculty members continue to enhance undergraduate and graduate education with innovative new courses and curricula. During the 1999 - 2000 academic year, majority of the incoming IT freshmen participated in the IT Calculus Sequence, an initiative based on the model developed by ITCEP and the School of Mathematics. The initiative, which presents calculus topics as mathematical analysis and problem-solving tools for engineering and scientific applications, includes active learning and the use of appropriate technologies.

Each academic year, an average of five hundred and fifty middle school and high school students are enrolled in ITCEP's premier program, the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program ( UMTYMP ). It is a rigorous mathematics alternative for highly motivated, talented students in grades 5-12. These young mathematicians attend a two-hour class on campus one afternoon each week, after school. The accelerated courses are specially designed to provide them with an intense academic environment that will stimulate their mathematical interest and abilities. The five-year sequence covers mathematics coursework from the high school level (algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus) up through the college level (single variable and multi-variable calculus).

Nearly 1,000 K-12 students participate in ITCEP's academic year mathematics programs and residential summer enrichment institutes. Each program strives to keep young students interested and motivated in mathematics by engaging them in active learning and hands-on experiments that allow them to use mathematics in science and engineering applications. Faculty and graduate students lead these workshops together with undergraduate student mentors who help the young students gain a sense of participation in the science, engineering, and mathematics community.

Comments from Recent Graduates

As I finished my undergraduate degree, I wanted to pursue a career in education, but I also wanted to build my math skills. To my delight I found that the University of Minnesota had a program that would do precisely that, the M.S. in Mathematics with an emphasis in Education. I went through this two-year program, studying interesting mathematics while gaining useful teaching skills. Even more helpful than my education courses was the hands-on experience I gained as a teaching assistant for high school and college calculus students, along with student teaching. The combination of a rigorous math background and practical teaching experience has prepared me well for the high school teaching job I now hold.
Carraig Hegi, North High School, North St. Paul, MN

When I first entered this program I was undecided about my career goals. I knew that I loved math and wanted to teach, but had little prior teaching experience. This program gave me the opportunity to teach at several levels, including a public high school, a program for gifted youth, and an exciting and innovative course for first-year undergraduates. I was able to work simultaneously with university professors and veteran high school teachers. The mathematics courses that I took helped me grow both as a student and a teacher; I was amazed at how often I was able to apply things I had learned in these classes to my own teaching. After receiving a M.S. in Mathematics and high school teaching license, I decided to return to school to pursue a PhD in Mathematics. The department was very supportive in helping me make this transition, and I feel the two years I spent in the M.S. program were invaluable. I believe I am much better equipped to handle the rigors of the PhD program now than I was when I had just completed my undergraduate studies.
John Hall, Department of Mathematics, University of Minnesota

I completed a Master of Science degree in mathematics with emphasis in education. My studies lasted from Summer, 1996 to Spring, 1998. The program of study bridges two departments: Mathematics and Math Education. The University of Minnesota offers excellent instruction in both of these areas. Those of us in this program were in a unique position in that we experienced being a part of the math department, while working practical hours in public schools throughout the Twin Cities area. Returning to graduate school after working a few years is a choice I am glad I made. The rigor of the math courses refreshed my love of math and prepared me to be a more thorough and flexible teacher. I received an immense amount of support from fellow graduate students and made lifelong friends. The math department is international, yet maintains a sense of community. There are many avenues of support, and the department staff is the most efficient on campus! The department is very well-resourced and offers a variety of opportunities. The Math Education department is actively innovative. It is intense and rich in its instruction. The math classes provided solid foundations that make innovative approaches work. Overall, I value the time I spent at the University of Minnesota and recommend the program to anyone.
Mary T. Zietlow, Minnetonka High School, Minnetonka Minnesota

For further information about the M.S. in Mathematics with emphasis in Mathematics Education degree, contact Professor Harvey Keynes, Program Advisor, (612) 625-2861, keynes@math.umn.edu, or click here.

Director of Graduate Studies in Mathematics (612) 625-1306     gradprog@math.umn.edu 127 Vincent Hall 206 Church St. S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA

www@math.umn.edu URL http://www.math.umn.edu/grad/mathed.html The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. © 2008, The Regents of the University of Minnesota

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