Mathematics, Teaching Option, M.A.

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(30 UNITS)

Master of Arts in Mathematics

The Master of Arts in Mathematics provides advanced study in mathematics, including algebra, analysis, geometry and discrete mathematics. Graduates of the program are competitive in the job market and/or are prepared to continue their graduate studies in mathematics education at the doctoral level.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master’s degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions section in this catalog for complete information. In addition, applicants are admitted in conditionally classified standing with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better as undergraduate mathematics majors in all upper-division mathematics courses, or a combination of previous coursework and work experience approved as equivalent by the graduate committee of the Mathematics Department.

Classified Standing

A student’s status is changed to classified standing when the following requirements have been met:

Completion of all prerequisites and/or deficiencies, including the University Writing Requirement
Development of a study plan approved by the Mathematics Department and Academic Programs.

A classified graduate student must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all coursework to remain in good standing.

Required Courses (18 units)

Teaching Option (12 units)

The Teaching option is for those preparing to become a community college instructor and for current high school teachers interested in deepening their mathematical knowledge. The program provides advanced study in mathematics, including algebra, analysis, geometry and discrete mathematics. It can be used to prepare for doctoral studies in mathematics education. Students develop the ability to: analyze problems and persevere in solving them; communicate mathematics in written and oral forms; and construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. They experience best practices of teaching and how to implement them in their classrooms. Graduates of the program are competitive in the job market and/or are prepared to continue their graduate studies at the doctoral level.

Students are required to take adviser-approved mathematics electives to meet the 30-unit requirement and pass a set of four comprehensive exams. Comprehensive exams may be taken no more than twice.

Additional Information

* May be repeated for up to 6 units.