Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics + Statistics

Program Details | Mathematics for Teachers MS

The M.S. in Mathematics for Teachers (MS-MTCH) is designed for individuals interested in strengthening their understanding of mathematics to enrich the teaching of mathematics. The program prepares teachers in subjects such as geometry, algebra, analysis/calculus, history of mathematics, probability, statistics, discrete mathematics, and use of technology in the classroom. The program is intended for individuals with a mathematics degree or a strong background in mathematics.

The M.S. in Mathematics for Teachers program offers advanced training and specialized courses for secondary school teachers of mathematics. The MS-MTCH does not lead to a teaching license.  If you are interested in teaching secondary mathematics, please contact the College of Education, GTEP program.

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Degree Requirements

An MS-MTCH candidate must complete an approved program of 45 graduate credits which includes a capstone project.

Some of the courses are offered every year, whereas some courses are offered every other year. Refer to the Course Projection Guide. It is important to take as many of the required courses as you can prior to choosing elective courses. Also, start thinking about the capstone project (Curriculum Project or Internship) early in your program. Meeting with the MS-MTCH program advisor to plan your degree will make the process much smoother.

A student must have a minimum 3.00 GPA on the courses applied to the program of study, as well as a minimum 3.00 GPA in all graduate-level courses taken at PSU. Although grades of C+, C, and C- are below the graduate standard, they may be counted as credit toward a master’s degree with the specific written approval of the department if taken at PSU after the term of formal admission to the graduate program. For the MS-MTCH program, all courses must be graded A-F. The pass/no pass grading option is not allowed.

Students are responsible for knowing University-level graduate policies and procedures for obtaining the degree. These policies and procedures are in the Graduate Studies section of the PSU Bulletin. Several of the most frequently asked about University-level graduate policies and procedures can also be found on the Graduate School website.

Complete the following courses (10 credits):

  • Mth 584 Algebra and Geometry Connections for Teachers (4 credits)
  • Mth 586 Topics in The History of Mathematics (2-3 credits)
  • Mth 588 Topics in Computing for Mathematics Teachers (1-3 credits)

Complete two groups of courses (16 credits) from the following lists:

Group One

  • Mth 581 Foundations for Teaching Introductory Probability (4 credits)
  • Mth 582 Foundations for Teaching Introductory Statistics (4 credits)

Group Two

  • Mth 585 Precalculus, Differential Calculus, and Analysis Connections for Teachers (4 credits)
  • Mth 587 Precalculus, Integral Calculus, and Analysis Connections for Teachers (4 credits)

Group Three

  • Mth 590 Teaching Mathematics for Social Justice (4 credits)
  • Mth 592 Ethnomathematics

Capstone (3 credits)

Mathematics Electives (6-8 credits)

Approved graduate-level mathematics courses or statistics courses.

University Electives (8-10 credits to reach 45 credit minimum)

Graduate-level courses (Mathematics, Education, or other) approved by the MS-MTCH program advisor.

  • Alternative math/stat courses may be substituted with approval from the MS-MTCH program advisor.
  • Note also that many of these courses are "Topics" courses, and with MS-MTCH advisor approval, may be repeated for credit.
  • For those in MEd/GTEP program, consult with the MS-MTCH program adviser for Dual-Degree option.
  • Courses at the 700 and 800 level are not acceptable in this degree program.

Total Credit Hours: 45

Helpful Tips

Planning Your 501 Project Early

Throughout your program, be thinking of mathematics topics that you find particularly interesting. Focusing on a topic that is interesting to you will provide you the best launching pad for your 501 project.

It generally takes at least three terms to narrow in on a topic, choose a 501 advisor, put a project committee together, do the background research, develop the materials and test them with students, evaluate the results, finish the entire paper, and make a public presentation of your work.

Planning Your Course Schedule

Many of our courses are offered on a two- or three-year cycle, so plan ahead. Take as many of the required courses as you can prior to choosing elective courses.  If you take only electives first, you may have no flexibility in your scheduling later on, and required courses may not be offered when you need to take them. The tentative schedule of courses for the next three years is in the Course Projections Guide.

Transferring Courses

You can transfer up to 15 credits of approved graduate coursework into the program, but you cannot transfer in any coursework taken Pass/No Pass.

Graded courses taken prior to the term of admission to the MS-MTCH program may be transferred in with approval of the MS-MTCH Coordinator. Note that all courses taken at other universities and all PSU coursework taken prior to formal admission to the MS-MTCH program count as “transfer” courses.

Teaching License

This program is designed for secondary teachers who already hold an initial teaching license (or basic certificate). It is also designed for students interested in teaching dual-credit courses at the secondary level, community college teaching and/or interested in pursuing a doctorate in mathematics education. For information about obtaining an initial teaching license, contact PSU’s College of Education about their Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP).

Simultaneous Graduate Degrees

It is possible to work towards two graduate degrees simultaneously. For example, students in the GTEP program may want to be admitted to both the Master of Education and the Master in Mathematics for Teachers. Up to 15 credits (5 classes) can count towards both degrees. Consult the section on “dual degrees” in the PSU Bulletin. It takes careful planning, advising, and paperwork for this to happen. Discuss it with the MS-MTCH Coordinator.

Electives and Substitutions

The selection of mathematics and university elective courses and substitutions to the requirements may depend on your career and licensure goals.  Prior to registering for an elective or substitution course, make sure you give a detailed description to the MS-MTCH coordinator in order to determine its acceptance as part of the MS-MTCH program. Any substitutions or exceptions to the program must be made through the MS-MTCH Coordinator and approved by the Graduate School. Petitions and forms can be found at the Graduate School website.  

Applying for Graduation

You must apply for graduation no later than the first week of the term in which you plan to graduate.

You can apply to graduate via myPSU. If you subsequently change your term of graduation more than once, you have to reapply (and you will be charged another graduation application fee).