Program: M.A., Secondary Mathematics Education
Program Description
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.
Program Requirements
A. Requirements for Admission
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Employment as a teacher of mathematics (desirable).
- Teaching credential (may be waived for private school teachers or college instructors).
- Submission of a completed department application.
- Submission of a completed application to CSUN via Cal State Apply.
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5.
B. Requirements for Classified Status
By the end of the first semester of the program, students must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 or a GPA of at least 3.0 for the M.A. program.
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
Contact
Department of Secondary Education
Chair: Julie Gainsburg
Education (ED) 1208
(818) 677-2580
Graduate Coordinator: Brian Foley
(818) 677-4005
Program Learning Outcomes
Students receiving a Master or Arts in Secondary Mathematics Education will be able to:
- Demonstrate theoretical understanding of teaching and learning mathematics by reading and synthesizing educational theory and research in mathematics education and examining the implications of theory and research findings to their practice in diverse classroom settings.
- Demonstrate an understanding of effective teaching practices for diverse mathematics classrooms, and they reflect on their ability to use that understanding in their own practice.
- Demonstrate graduate-level research skills by designing, conducting and presenting research ethically and effectively.
- Demonstrate educational awareness through critical analysis of current issues in mathematics education and general education and how those impact schools.
- Demonstrate an understanding of educational leadership and apply that understanding in practice.