Program Overview
Mathematics, MAT
Degrees Awarded
- Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematics/Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics
Director of Mathematics Education
- Lisa Berger, PhD
- Office: 4-100A Mathematics Building
Program Website
The Master of Arts in Teaching program is designed as a course of study leading to New York State certification for teaching Mathematics in secondary schools (grades 7-12), with an extension option for grades 5-6. This program, offered in collaboration with the School of Professional Development, the University’s Department of Mathematics and D-TALE, is designed for those with a strong mathematics background who have little or no previous coursework in education or formal classroom teaching experience.
Admission Requirements
- Application essay
- A bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics or the equivalent (see below), with a minimum of 36 credits in Mathematics, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all Mathematics studies
- One year of college-level study of a foreign language with a grade of “C” or better (this may include American Sign Language)
- Three letters of recommendation. Two of the three recommendations must be from mathematics faculty with whom you have completed a course of study at the college level. In those cases where the departmental admissions committee deems it desirable, personal interviews with departmental representatives may be necessary
MAT Program Requirements
The degree program consists of 45 credits, distributed among the areas listed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is three credits. All degree requirements must be completed within five (5) years from the semester date of admission as a matriculated student.
GPA Requirement
Graduate mathematics course must be completed with a grade of C or higher in each course. Graduate Professional Education requirements must be completed with a grade of B or higher in each course. To be eligible to student-teach students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Exceptions are at the discretion of the Program Director. The Graduate School requires a minimum 3.0 GPA for degree completion
Mathematics Content Courses - 15 credits
Course selection will be determined by the student and advisor. Students who have academic deficiencies in Mathematics will be required to include courses that specifically address these deficiencies. These courses will be part of the 12 credits selected to satisfy this requirement. If additional deficiencies exist, those credits required to meet these mandates will be over and above those requirements for the degree.
- MAE 501 - Foundations of Secondary Mathematics Curriculum
- MAT 511 - Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics
- Plus nine additional credits selected from the following:
- AMS 504 - Foundations of Applied Mathematics
- AMS 507 - Introduction to Probability
- AMS 572 - Data Analysis I
- MAT 513 - Analysis for Teachers I
- MAT 514 - Analysis for Teachers II
- MAT 515 - Geometry for Teachers
- MAT 516 - Probability and Statistics for Teachers
- MAT 528 - Foundations of Topology
- MAT 534 - Algebra I
- MAT 542 - Complex Analysis I
- MAT 544 - Commutative and Homological Algebra
- MAT 550 - Introduction to Probability
- MAT 599 - M.A. Research
Professional Studies in Education - 24 credits
- CEE 505 - Education: Theory and Practice
- CEE 565 - Human Development
- CEE 594 - Language Acquisition and Literacy Development
- CEF 547 - Principles and Practices of Special Education
- MAE 510 - Introduction to Methods of Teaching and Learning Standards
- MAE 520 - Advanced Methods of Teaching Secondary School Mathematics
- MAE 530 - Directed Readings and Research Paper in Mathematics Education
- MAE 540 - Clinical Experience
- MAE 554 - Student Teaching Seminar (co-requisites MAE 551 & MAE 552)
- Note: All other program courses must be completed prior to enrollment in MAE 551, MAE 552 and MAE 554
Supervised Student Teaching- 6 credits
- MAE 551 - Supervised Student Teaching in Middle School
- MAE 552 - Supervised Student Teaching in High School
Teacher Certification
Additional Requirements for Certification
In addition to the stated course and program requirements listed in this section, New York State also has workshop, fingerprinting and other requirements for certification, which can be found on the SPD website.
Workshops and Fingerprinting
To be certified in New York State, candidates must take a selection of workshops and must be fingerprinted. For descriptions and registration links, visit Certification and Licensing Workshops.
Language Requirement
New York State certification requires at least one year (6 credits) of college-level study of a foreign language. Satisfaction of SBU’s SBC LANG fulfills the foreign language requirement.