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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

  1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
  2. Employment as a teacher of mathematics.
  3. Submission of a completed department application, including:
    1. Two letters of reference.
    2. A statement of plans and objectives for graduate study.
  4. Submission of a completed application to CSUN via Cal State Apply.
  5. Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 or score at or above the 50th percentile on one of three portions of the general test of the GRE.

B. Requirements for Classified Status

Can be fulfilled during the first semester of the program.

  1. Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 or score at or above the 50th percentile on one of three portions of the general test of the GRE.
  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. Corequisites

  1. Preliminary teaching credential (may be waived for private school teachers or college instructors).
  2. Completion of one or more years of successful secondary school teaching.
  3. 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: Mira Pak
(818) 677-2181

Student Learning Outcomes

Secondary Education M.A. candidates will develop as professional educators who demonstrate:

  1. Reflective practice by critically examining their subject knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge and pedagogical skills to improve their diverse students’ learning.
  2. Theoretical understanding by reading, synthesizing and evaluating educational theory and research in their field and applying research findings to their practice in diverse classroom and school settings.
  3. Research skills by designing and conducting research ethically and effectively and presenting their findings at a professional level in oral and written forms.
  4. Educational awareness by knowing current discipline-based and general educational issues and how those impact schools.
  5. Leadership by influencing policy and practice in educational communities through advocacy and example.