Masters of Arts - Mathematics Education
Advisement
Overview description of program
The CSUN Subject Specialist–Mathematics Master’s Degree program is designed especially for secondary mathematics teachers. During this two-year program, you will
- experience and implement innovative mathematics-teaching practices, especially drawing on reform methodology and curricula
- acquire greater fluency with educational technologies, including Internet resources, Website development, and graphing technologies
- investigate current research in mathematics teaching and learning and how it translates into practice
- conduct “action research” in your own classroom
- deepen your knowledge and understanding of broad issues, policies, and controversies that impact schools in general and mathematics teaching in particular
- develop as a leader in mathematics education through presentations to colleagues and participation in professional organizations and support networks.
Readings, in-class activities, and assignments aim to help you apply the most up-to-date research and technologies to make your teaching more effective. Most major assignments center on your personal teaching experiences in your current classroom. The culmination of the program is your own research project in which you investigate a mathematics teaching or learning question through a systematic study in your own classroom. In addition to becoming more effective mathematics teachers, graduates of this program will be well prepared for roles as department chair, math coach, or lead teacher; for leading conference sessions or workshops; for some community-college positions; and for further study at the doctoral level.
Program classes meet from 4:00 – 6:45 pm and 7:00 – 9:45 pm every Tuesday for four semesters. The next cohort will run from Fall 2010 to Spring 2012 (no summers). These classes are reserved for the mathematics-education master cohort: a small group of mathematics teachers, who will be one of the most powerful sources of your learning in the program. The professional and personal connections you develop with cohort-mates will last well beyond graduation and serve as resources for years to come. Two elective courses in education or mathematics are also required; many students will be able to substitute courses taken prior to this program (e.g., in a recent CSUN teaching-credential program) for these two electives.
Conferences