Mathematics Secondary Education Masters Program Pennsylvania

Meet the growing demand for mathematics educators.

Empower students with life-long problem solving skills and fill a need for mathematics instructors in Pennsylvania schools. Level I certification and a master's degree in mathematics education from California University of Pennsylvania prepares you to teach grades 7-12.

Whether you have a background in mathematics or hold a degree in another field, complete your certification and master's degree in five semesters - four semesters of courses and one semester of student teaching.

Our well-earned reputation for excellence serves you well.

Cal U has over 160 years of experience producing top educators in Pennsylvania.

Cal U's teaching programs are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and have been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954. We are continuing with the successor organization, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Cal U's relationship with local school districts provides top-quality student teaching opportunities and opens doors to rewarding careers.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: MATHEMATICS CERTIFICATION

Flexible Online Courses: Mathematics education graduate courses are held online, so students can continue their day jobs while earning their degree. Additionally, on-site fieldwork and a two-day, on-campus summer residency provide experiential learning.

Student Teacher Preparation: Cal U secondary education students excel as classroom leaders and stand out in the job market because they complete hours of field observations in assigned local classrooms before embarking on the full-time student teaching component of this program.

Top Accreditation: This graduate degree program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Cal U's education programs have also been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954, and we are continuing with the successor organization, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). See CAEP reporting measures of program impact and outcomes.

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$64K

Average annual salary for secondary education teachers in Pennsylvania. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

15

weeks of full-time student teaching in a real classroom.

Program Benefits

Core pedagogy courses will give you mastery of the latest practices and theories in mathematics education, and discipline-specific classes when needed will expand your subject-area expertise. You'll also gain extensive hands-on experience through classroom observations and student teaching.

Study mathematics curriculum development techniques and how to use the Standards Aligned System (SAS).

Learn top strategies in classroom management.
Master classroom technology for teaching mathematics.
Deepen your knowledge of calculus, linear and abstract algebra, statistical analysis, geometry and other related topics.
Gain real-world teaching experience.

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates of this program are prepared to teach secondary education mathematics at public or private schools. They also find jobs as mathematics program coordinators, evaluators and curriculum specialists. Our alumni have rewarding career in a school districts across the country.

Curriculum, Admission Requirements and Related Programs

This professional graduate degree program is delivered online and during a two-day, on-campus residency. Our rigorous courses are constantly evolving to equip you with the latest theories and practices in the fields of mathematics and mathematics education. All students are required to have current school clearances to participate in field experience and sign up for courses.

Curriculum

Course	Credits
Required Courses
MSE 641 Orientation to 7-12 Education	3
MSE 642 Standards-Based Instruction in 7-12 Education	3
MSE 643 Content Area Literacy	3
MSE 644 Instructional Strategies in 7-12	3
MSE 645 Technology Integration in 7-12 Education	3
MSE 646 Assessments and Interventions	3
MSE 647 Classroom Management in 7-12 Education	3
MSE 652 Methods of Mathematics Teaching 7-12	3
MSE 661 Student Teaching	9

Total Credits	33

Undergraduate Content Course Requirements

Certification requirements for the Pennsylvania Department of Education include appropriate certification testing. A minimum of 30 credits of content area coursework is required. These courses may be taken at the undergraduate level. Students must demonstrate college coursework with a grade of C or higher in:

College algebra
Trigonometry or pre-calculus
Calculus 1
Calculus 2
Calculus 3
Geometry
Statistics
Computer science or technology for math
History of mathematics or mathematics in society
Discrete math
Math modeling
Linear algebra
Abstract algebra

Note: Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements are subject to change.

Chapter 49-2

Chapter 49-2 requirements (12 credits) mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education must be met in order to receive certification. Courses may be satisfied with previously taken undergraduate or graduate courses, subject to approval of the program coordinator. Undergraduate 49-2 courses cannot be accepted for the graduate special education add-on certification program for students who later complete that program. If not already completed, the following courses are needed in addition to the requirements above:

ESP 610 Special Education Foundations and Collaboration
ESP 701 Introduction to Behavior Analysis
ESP 613 Evidence-based Practices in Secondary Inclusion
EDU 650 Supporting the English Language Learner

Student Teaching

Applications for spring student teaching are due October 1. Applications for fall student teaching are due April 1.

Student teaching requirements include:

A GPA of 3.0 or higher for all courses, including undergraduate content course requirements
A grade of C or higher for all required courses
Completion of all required courses prior to student teaching
Required clearances
No incomplete (I) grades
Passing of required Praxis tests
TB tests
Liability insurance
Education requirements, such as seminars and portfolios

Program Notes

The summer courses require a two-day residency in July.
Clearances are required at all times throughout the program and must be updated every July.
LiveText Watermark software is required for this program.

VIEW COHORT SEQUENCES

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Regular)

Bachelor's degree with a GPA of 2.80 or higher (Students with a GPA below 2.80 may apply for conditional admission)
Official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution
International Graduate Applicants

Conditional Admission Requirements

Conditional Admission may be granted with the following modifications of the Regular Admissions Requirements:

Bachelor's degree with a GPA under 2.80 will be reviewed for a decision

Provisional Admission:
Applicants who have provided unofficial documentation of test scores, prerequisite courses, transcripts or lack of letter(s) of recommendation may be admitted provisionally.

This policy also applies to undergraduate students who apply for graduate admission pending bachelor degree completion. Upon receipt of all official documents, a student will be changed from Provisional Admission to either Regular Admission or Conditional Admission. Provisional Admission students may take classes for one term but will not be eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

Program Requirements

Depending on the area of certification chosen, the department will provide guidance if any foundation undergraduate courses need to be completed before applying for student teaching
Clearances: Students are responsible for updating clearances annually through the Office of Field Experience. In addition, clearances must be on file before applying for student teaching - Acts 24, 34, 114, and 151

How to Apply:

Complete the Graduate School Application
Submit the nonrefundable $35 Application Fee
Mail official transcript to:

School of Graduate Studies and Research
California University of Pennsylvania
Box 91
250 University Ave.
California, PA 15419

For additional information:
Email: gradschool@calu.edu
Phone: 724-938-4187

Out of State Students:
All students who will be seeking certification outside of Pennsylvania are responsible for securing and following the certification requirements in the state in which they intend to apply for certification.

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