Mathematics Education: Grades 7-12 Initial Certification Program–M.A.T.

Program Description

The MAT Mathematics Program leading to Initial Teaching Certification in Mathematics grades 7-12 is a 48 credit hour program. The program is designed for a qualified student to begin in the Summer, First Session, and finish at the end of the following summer. However, qualified candidates may be admitted for Fall or Spring semester. The program is intended for students with a BA or BS degree in mathematics or equivalent who wish to earn New York State teacher certification.

Application Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Mathematics must hold a BA or BS degree in Mathematics or the equivalent.

One course in each of these three areas is expected: i. abstract algebra; ii. analysis or advanced calculus; iii. calculus-based statistics or probability. A candidate may be accepted lacking one of these courses; in that case the course must be completed prior to degree candidacy (see below).

All applicants must provide evidence of the equivalent of one college year (six credit hours college level or four years high school to the language IV level) of a language other than English. A computer language does not meet this requirement, but American Sign Language does. Applicants who lack an introductory course in Adolescent Psychology must satisfy this prerequisite as well. Any of these requirements not satisfied upon admission to the program must be completed prior to degree candidacy.

All applications must include the following materials:

1. Completed application form – Parts I and II.
2. An official transcript for all undergraduate and graduate work.
3. Two letters of recommendation, including one from a college professor.
4. Minimum grade index of 2.70. If the index is lower than 2.70, the score from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) must be submitted with the application. To be considered, an applicant must score in the fiftieth percentile or better.
5. Attendance at Program Information Meeting. These meetings are scheduled prior to the deadline for completing the program planning. To schedule a time contact the Curriculum and Instruction Department at 315-312-4052 or email cigrad@oswego.edu.
6. Completion of the NYS Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST) certification exam.

Applicant materials are due by March 1 for summer and fall admission and October 1 for spring admission.

Degree Candidacy

Candidates accepted into the MAT–Mathematics must apply for Degree Candidacy after completing 12 to 18 credit hours of their program; any course work taken in excess of 18 credit hours is liable to forfeiture. A GPA of 3.0 or better is required to qualify for degree candidacy status. Candidates also need to satisfy the competency requirement, satisfied by either a grade higher than B- in Mat 504 or a grade of 80% or higher on the undergraduate Competency Test in Before-Calculus Mathematics, The completed candidacy application should be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office. The application and a current transcript are reviewed by the Mathematics Department advisor and the advisor from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Students will then receive a letter advising them of their student status.

The Program

The MAT: Mathematics Program comprises twelve credit hours in mathematics, twelve credits hours in general pedagogy, eight credit hours in mathematics-specific pedagogy, and sixteen credit hours in field placement and student teaching. The field placement consists of 100 clock hours; student teaching consists of two supervised seven-week experiences.

Student teaching is expected to take place in the spring semester, but student teaching in the fall semester can be arranged. Each candidate is provided two sevenweek placements for student teaching by the School of Education Director of Field Placements. Assigned placements, must be accepted by the candidate or the candidate will need to wait for reassignment in a future semester. Student teaching placement is a full-time commitment, Monday through Friday, for the full school day. Student teaching applications are due a full semester prior to the actual assignment.

Candidates must complete SSHS 1020, Safe Schools, Healthy Students, a noncredit workshop relating information about drug/alcohol and tobacco abuse mandated reporting of child abuse, school violence prevention (Project SAVE) and school safety programs, as a prerequisite to student teaching. Contact Extended Learning at sshs@oswego.edu or www.oswego.edu/safeschools.