Mathematics Education

The Program

Candidates in the mathematics education major are prepared to teach a broad curriculum to a diverse student population in grades 5-12 with creativity and confidence. Mathematics is the language of science and technology, and its history as the oldest and most highly developed discipline making math one of the most exciting and rewarding areas of study for the 21st Century.The mathematics teacher candidate should work closely with an advisor to be sure that the general education courses taken will provide a strong foundation for the advanced courses in the major.

Professional Education Courses

Teacher candidates may enroll in the 300-level professional education courses before being formally admitted to the School of Education (SOE). Prior to enrolling in the 400-level courses, teacher candidates must complete the application for admission to the SOE; attain a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average overall in their course work and education courses and pass the Core Academic Skills for Educators test or meet minimum scores on the ACR+.  Requirements for admission can be found on the School of Education website.

Student Teaching

Student teaching (clinical practice) is the culmination of the teaching program. During In the clinical practice, teacher candidates apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their college courses to real-world classrooms under the supervision of experienced mathematics teachers in middle or high schools. Faculty members from NDSU conduct regular on-site visits to support, encourage, and evaluate teacher candidates so that they gain the confidence and ability to join the teaching profession after graduation.

Student Advisement

Students will be assigned individual advisors who will work closely with them in program planning. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor(s) at least once a semester. Appointments with advisors can be scheduled through the Navigate online system found on the Student Affairs web page.

Licensure

Upon completing this program, teacher candidates are eligible for certification to teach mathematics in most states. Our program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the North Dakota Education and Standards and Practices Board (ESPB)

Career Opportunities

Mathematics education is also valued by a wide range of employers in government and industry. Mathematics teachers may also choose to pursue graduate degrees after building classroom experience. Those masters and doctoral degrees could lead to post-secondary academic positions and leadership roles in state and national educational organizations.

Sample Program Guide

Please note this is a sample program guide and not an official curriculum.  Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Once admitted, students are encouraged to work with their assigned academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress.