Here, you guide the next generation to mathematical proficiency.
Mathematics teachers in post-secondary settings help students
develop critical-thinking abilities by gaining an understanding of math concepts
and prepare them for college-level studies. Governors State’s Master of Science in Mathematics Teacher
Education balances theoretical and applied
study to provide students with a substantial background in mathematics that
strengthens skills in logical thinking, problem analysis, problem-solving, and
pedagogy for those interested in teaching mathematics at the secondary level.
The Master of Science in Mathematics with a concentration in Teacher Education
prepares you to seek an Illinois teaching license for grades 9 – 12. Completion
of the sequence will allow candidates to apply for an Illinois teaching license
endorsed for mathematics. The program is designed for those with a Bachelor’s Degree
in Mathematics or a related field such as actuarial science, computer science,
economics, engineering, finance, or physics.
Reach
your career goals.
As a graduate of the Mathematics Teacher
Education M.S., you will be considered “highly qualified” to teach mathematics
at the secondary and college levels, as defined by the Illinois State Board of
Education (ISBE). Program requirements include a strong knowledge base in
mathematics and professional education coursework, including a student teaching
internship that meets all of the requirements for secondary teachers set forth
by the ISBE. Mathematics coursework includes abstract algebra, linear algebra,
probability and statistics, number theory, geometry, mathematics technology,
special topics in mathematics education, and the history of mathematics.
Why get a
Master of Science in Mathematics Teacher Education?
Use your proficiency in mathematics to impact
the next generation of students. Graduates of this program—which is approved by
the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)—will be prepared to take the exam
for the Initial Secondary License Type 09 license which qualifies candidates to
teach mathematics in grades 9 – 12.
To be recommended for an ISBE teaching license,
you must present evidence of having passed the Test of Academic Proficiency
(TAP), the Mathematics 115 Subject-Matter Knowledge examinations of the
Illinois Licensure Testing System, and earned a passing score on the teacher
performance assessment known as the edTPA.
Data
collected in 2017 reflected the median annual salary for Mathematical Science
Teachers at $69,520 with an average range of $50,620 – $98,990 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Chicago’s median
salary for Mathematical Science Teachers is $76,180.
Delivery
Format
Achieve your master’s degree in as little as[GD1] two
years. Governors State’s 42-credit hour Mathematics Teacher Education M.S. is
offered fully on-campus or in a hybrid format. Enroll full-time to jumpstart
your career, or part-time for added flexibility.
Robert Belin
Going back to school for my MS in Mathematics after a significant layoff from academic study was initially a terrifying thought. However, my personal advisor, Dr. Galante, made my transition seamless. She tailored the course of action I needed to take and suggested courses to advance my skill set as a professional educator--and did they ever. Other professors took time to clarify difficult mathematical ideas and encourage me when I felt I couldn’t go any farther. I highly endorse this program without reservation.
Dr. J. Christopher Tweddle, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Students in the M.S. of Mathematics program develop problem-solving skills that apply in the real world. Many of them focus their thesis project on the concepts of mathematical modeling and come up with great solutions, like how to most efficiently board an airplane or where to locate fire stations to minimize response time. Last year, I co-wrote a paper with a student using mathematical modeling to show how humans could survive in a zombie apocalypse—these models can be real or theoretical, but are always beneficial.
Mathematics Education, Certificate
This certificate licenses those with an undergraduate degree in Mathematics to teach at the secondary level.