The Master of Arts degree in Secondary Mathematics Education is designed to prepare secondary mathematics teachers for advancement to mentor teaching, supervision of student teachers, positions as mathematics-teaching specialists or mathematics-department chairpersons, or doctoral study, in addition to becoming more effective teachers. School districts frequently award salary increases to teachers who hold master’s degrees, and master’s degrees are usually required for part-time teaching at the community college or university level.

During this program, students:

• Experience and implement innovative mathematics-teaching practices, especially drawing on reform methodology and curricula.
• Acquire greater fluency with educational technologies, including Internet resources, website development and graphing technologies.
• Investigate current research in mathematics teaching and learning and how it translates into practice.
• Conduct applied classroom-based research.
• Deepen their knowledge and understanding of broad issues, policies and controversies that impact schools in general and mathematics teaching in particular.
• Develop as leaders in mathematics education through presentations and participation in professional organizations and support networks.

A. Requirements for Admission

1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
2. Employment as a teacher of mathematics (desirable).
3. Teaching credential (may be waived for private school teachers or college instructors).
4. Submission of a completed department application, including:
   1. Two letters of reference.
   2. A statement of plans and objectives for graduate study.
5. Submission of a completed application to CSUN via Cal State Apply.
6. Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5.

B. Requirements for Classified Status

Must be fulfilled by the end of the first semester of the program.

1. Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 or GPA of at least 3.0 for the M.A. program.
2. Passing score (8 or higher) on the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam or score of 3.0 or higher on the GRE Analytical Writing portion.

C. Corequisite

Maintenance of a 3.0 GPA.

D. Degree Requirements

1. Core Courses (21 units)

SED 535MA Teaching Contemporary Mathematics (3)
SED 600 Research in Secondary Education (3)
SED 610MA Educational Issues and Implications for Multiethnic Mathematics Classrooms (3)
SED 614 Technology in Teaching and Learning Mathematics (3)
SED 625MA Theory and Research in Teaching Secondary School Mathematics (3)
SED 654 Leadership in Mathematics Education (3)
SED 690MA Advanced Research in Mathematics Education (3)

2. Electives (6 units)

Electives are selected from various M.A. course offerings across the college or university, with the approval of the program advisor. In some cases, preliminary credential program courses may be approved.

3. Culminating Experience (3 units)

Candidates earning the Master of Arts in Secondary Mathematics Education have two culminating experience options:

SED 697 Directed Comprehensive Studies (3)
or SED 698 Thesis or Graduate Project (3)

Total Units Required for the M.A. Degree: 30