About the Master's Program
The Master's in Mathematics for Secondary Math Teachers degree program is offered jointly by the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Wyoming under the umbrella of the Math TLC. The program builds on the lessons of successful programs at both UNC and UW while offering a new vision of teacher leadership and engaging mathematics and education coursework.
In Brief
For a quick program summary, see the Mini-Poster.
This program is intended for current secondary math teachers who want to deepen and extend their mathematics knowledge and want to learn more about curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The program offers a collaborative learning environment in which participants engage in curriculum focused on three kinds of knowledge teachers need: mathematical understanding, pedagogical content knowledge, and understanding of culturally relevant teaching.
- Exploring rigorous mathematics – math courses build on content taught in secondary schools and significantly increase content knowledge through exploration of the historical and cultural nature of “modern” mathematics.
- Developing pedagogical content knowledge – knowledge needed to teach math includes regular examination of how students think and learn about math.
- Understanding culturally relevant teaching - courses model a vision of math as a culturally rich subject in which proficiency is defined by shared community standards and supported by a mutual commitment to educational growth.
Master's courses are intensive in:
- Written communication – math education courses, in particular, require independent reading and writing based on math education literature, including practice and research articles.
- Collaboration - math and math education courses require participating teachers to collaborate in group activities both inside and outside of scheduled class time.
- Technology – instruction involves multiple sites, requiring communication via e-mail and knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
Finally, the program requires a:
- Time commitment – summer sessions require a dedicated time commitment of 9-10 semester credits of graduate coursework in a 6-week session. Courses during the academic year include scheduled online sessions as well as independent, asynchronous work time.
Program Structure and Participant Support
The master’s program is offered face-to-face during the summer and online during the academic year. Participants will have the option of attending face-to-face classes either at UNC or UW. While instructors may be at either location, teacher-participants in the other location will participate through live video-conferencing technologies.
Courses offered during the fall and spring semesters are online. In general, teacher-participants can expect to take 9 credit hours each summer and 3-4 credit hours each fall and spring. It generally takes two years to complete the master's program, depending on course offerings.
Financial Support opportunities are available for participants' expenses.
Preliminary Master's Course Schedule
Summer 2009 |
Abstract Algebra/Number Theory (3 credit hours) |
Fall 2009 |
Introduction to Research in Mathematics Education (3 credit hours) |
| Spring 2010 | Teaching Geometry (3 credit hours) Action Research (1 credit hour) |
Summer 2010 |
Applied Probability and Statistics (3 credit hours) |
Who Can Apply?
Highly qualified candidates will meet the following criteria:
- Currently certified to teach secondary mathematics
- Two years secondary teaching experience before starting course work
- 30 credit hours of undergraduate mathematics with a GPA of at least 3.0
- Completed at least one undergraduate math course with rigorous proof-writing
- GPA of at least 3.0 in last 60 hours of coursework
