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 51 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: abstract algebra; analysis or advanced calculus; 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).

Applicants’ BA or BS degree will satisfy undergraduate general education requirements. Applicants must provide evidence of having the equivalent of one college year (six credits college level or four years of high school ) language other than English, Adolescent Psychology or equivalent, and an art, music or theatre course, and demonstrated computer literacy. All candidates must complete the NYS certification workshops SSHS 1020, Safe Schools, Healthy Students and DASA 1020 to comply with NYS DASA requirements.

All applications must include the following materials:

1. 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
2. Completed application form – Parts I and II
3. An official transcript for all undergraduate and graduate work
4. Two letters of recommendation, including one from a college professor
5. 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
6. Completion of the NYS Academic Literacy Skills Test (ALST) certification exam

Applicant materials are due by January 15.

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 fifteen 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 a minimum 100 clock hours; student teaching consists of two supervised seven-week experiences. Candidates must complete SSHS 1020 , Safe Schools, Healthy Students, and DASA 1020  to comply with NYS DASA requirements. Contact Extended Learning at sshs@oswego.edu or www.oswego.edu/safeschools for more information.

Student Teaching

All undergraduate and a minimum of 21 credits of graduate course work, Degree Candidacy filed, and SSHS 1020 and DASA 1020 requirements must be met prior to student teaching.

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 seven-week 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. Announcements regarding student teaching will be posted online and may be found at www.oswego.edu/academics/colleges_and_departments/education/placement/Student_Teaching.html.

Candidates earn either a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory grade for each of the two student teaching experiences. If an unsatisfactory grade is earned, the candidate may have another placement. If two unsatisfactory grades are earned, the candidate will not be placed a third time.