Program Overview

Introduction to the Mathematics — Elementary, BAE Program

The Mathematics — Elementary, BAE program at Western Washington University is designed for students who intend to pursue a career in teaching mathematics at the elementary level. This major satisfies the academic major requirement for teacher certification with an endorsement in elementary education and must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in Elementary Education offered through Woodring College of Education.

Why Consider a Mathematics - Elementary Major?

Teaching mathematics is a challenge, a responsibility, and an opportunity. Learning to teach mathematics occurs through a variety of means: the study of a wide variety of mathematics, pedagogical preparation within a mathematical context, formal clinical preparation in education, an extended internship, and continual experiences as a student, learner, and problem solver in mathematics. There is a growing demand for elementary teachers with a strong background in mathematics, but there is an even greater need for quality mathematics teachers—elementary teachers who care about both students and mathematics, elementary teachers who have a broad and deep understanding of mathematics, and elementary teachers who are thoroughly professional.

Program Requirements

The Mathematics — Elementary, BAE program requires a total of 51 credits. The requirements include:

• Choose either:
  • MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5 credits) and MATH 125 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (5 credits)
  • MATH 134 - Calculus I Honors (5 credits) and MATH 135 - Calculus II Honors (5 credits)
  • MATH 138 - Accelerated Calculus (5 credits)
• MATH 204 - Elementary Linear Algebra (4 credits)
• MATH 302 - Introduction to Proofs Via Number Theory (4 credits)
• MATH 307 - Mathematical Computing (4 credits)
• MATH 309 - Introduction to Proof in Discrete Mathematics (4 credits)
• MATH 341 - Probability and Statistical Inference (4 credits)
• MATH 360 - Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometry (4 credits)
• MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4 credits)
• MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4 credits)
• MATH 383 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics III (4 credits)
• MATH 419 - Historical Perspectives of Mathematics (3 credits)
• MATH 491 - Internship Seminar - Teaching K-8 Mathematics (2 credits)

Additional Major Requirements

The program also includes additional major requirements, such as the Elementary Education Professional Program Requirements, which are outlined in the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Multilingual Education, Woodring College of Education.

Elementary Education Professional Program Requirements

This program centers an anti-bias, anti-racist, social justice philosophy and leads to a recommendation to the state of Washington for a teaching certificate with an Elementary Education endorsement. The requirements include:

• Professional Studies Core (22 credits)
  • ELED 305 - Development and Learning in a Diverse Classroom (5 credits)
  • ELED 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity (5 credits)
  • ELED 311 - Understanding Washington State Tribal History, Culture, and Government: Since Time Immemorial Curriculum (1 credit)
  • ELED 460 - Children’s Literature in the Classroom (5 credits)
  • I T 344 - Foundations of Technology in Teaching and Learning (1 credit)
  • MLE 441 - Language, Culture, and Equity: From Global to Local (5 credits)
• Elementary Program Methods and Curriculum Content (32 credits)
  • One course from:
    • ART 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
    • DNC 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
    • MUS 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
    • THTR 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
  • HLED 455 - Health Education Grades K-8 (2 credits)
  • I T 442 - Digital Decisions: Technology for Educators (3 credits)
  • MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4 credits)
  • MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4 credits)
  • MATH 383 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics III (4 credits)
  • PE 345 - Physical Education for Elementary School (3 credits)
  • SCED 480 - Science Methods and Curriculum for the Elementary School (5 credits)
  • SPED 364 - Teaching Each Student (4 credits)
• Preparatory Field Experiences (13 credits)
  • ELED 480 - Literacy: Beginning Communicators (5 credits)
  • ELED 481 - Literacy: Fluent Communicators (5 credits)
  • SCED 490 - Laboratory/Field Experience in Elementary Science (3 credits)
• Professional Field Experiences & Methods Courses (38 credits)
  • ELED 412 - Seminar on Racial Justice Praxis (5 credits)
  • ELED 427 - Elementary Social Studies Through Counternarratives (5 credits)
  • ELED 471 - Documenting Teaching (4 credits)
  • ELED 494 - Internship - Elementary (2-16 credits)
  • MATH 491 - Internship Seminar - Teaching K-8 Mathematics (2 credits)

University Graduation Requirements

The university graduation requirements include:

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement