Master of Arts

Not accepting applications at this time.

This program is offered by AU Online.

Program Description

This is a unique program designed for mathematics teachers or for those who wish to teach mathematics. The program requires basic mathematics knowledge, including a course in calculus.

The program focuses on deepening the participants’ understanding of mathematical concepts and the connections among the various branches, so they are understood as a coherent whole through the K–12 mathematics curriculum. It is designed to introduce teachers to the development of mathematical content standards through the grade levels.  It seeks to train them to develop and implement standards-based curricula with deep connections to both previous and later mathematical study. The program further emphasizes effective mathematical reasoning and the development of mathematical reasoning and behaviors in the K-12 curriculum. The content courses are designed to increase the participants’ self-efficacy with school mathematics and higher-level mathematics and to enhance their teaching with additional depth and breadth of content. Each course integrates teaching methods and content seamlessly and emphasizes the pedagogy of the particular course content.

The program trains participants to implement knowledge gained in each course in their own classroom by emphasizing the creation of new lesson plans and learning activities aligned with advanced mathematics content and practices.  The program increases teachers’ confidence and helps prepare them to become leaders and advocates for mathematics and science education in their own school and district.

Program Goals

• Train teachers to design and implement curriculum based on mathematics content and practices standards
• Help teachers understand the mathematics curriculum for K–12 as a coherent continuum and see mathematics branches as parts of an integral whole
• Deepen teachers’ understanding of mathematics content knowledge by focusing on concepts and reasoning
• Help teachers understand and present mathematics as a modeling and a problem- solving technique in a STEM context
• Improve participants’ teaching skills by presenting content and teaching methods seamlessly and emphasize the pedagogy of the content
• Increase teachers’ confidence by training them to become reflective teachers and use educational research to assess and improve their own teaching
• Increase the focus of participants on improving attainment in their students so they understand, apply and retain mathematics knowledge over time by
• Designing and delivering lessons aligned with mathematics content and practice standards
• Presenting a mathematical topic as a part of a coherent whole and connect it to other branches of mathematics as well as other disciplines
• Focusing on explaining mathematics and science reasoning, and the concepts that lead to the use of a certain procedure to solve a given problem
• Presenting mathematics as a problem-solving technique in a real world context.
• Using technology, online resources, and manipulatives appropriately and effectively
• Reviewing and implementing latest research in mathematics education
• Identifying specific weaknesses students have in solving mathematics problems

Program Requirements

Not accepting applications at this time.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses in Mathematics
MTH-5010	Numbers and Mathematical Thinking	3
MTH-5020	Statistics and Probability	3
MTH-5030	Understanding and Teaching Algebra	3
MTH-5040	Understanding and Teaching Geometry	3
MTH-6010	Calculus Concepts and Applications I	3
MTH-6030	Applications in STEM	3
MTH-6060	Calculus Concepts and Applications II	3
Select six semester hours of the following:		6
MTH-6020	Mathematical Connections
MTH-6040	Technology in Mathematics Classrooms
MTH-6810-9	Selected Topics in Mathematics
Required Courses in Mathematics and Science Education
NSM-5400	Curriculum Development and Assessment in Mathematics and Science	3
NSM-5900	Field Experience in STEM	1
NSM-6100	Educational Research in Mathematics and Science I	3
NSM-6200	Educational Research in Mathematics and Science II	3
Total Credits		37

Graduate Degree Requirements

1. When a student's academic performance does not meet minimum standards, the instructor should send an academic alert to the student.
2. A student is placed on academic warning at the end of any semester when their cumulative or semester program/major GPA is less than 3.0.
3. A student, placed on academic warning for a second time (not necessarily consecutive semesters) will be academically dismissed, for poor scholarship.
4. A student, will be academically dismissed if their Term GPA is 0.00 in any given semester.
5. A graduate student, who is dimissed from Aurora University for poor scholarship may apply for readmission after one full semester away (Spring, Summer, or Fall).
6. To be considered for readmission, a new application for admission and a petition for readmission are both required to be filed no less than 30 days prior to the requested semester of return, with the Office of Admissions.
7. The petition will be reviewed by an academic program committee, comprised of the academic program director/chair and two faculty designated by the Jurisdictional Academic Dean, to make a determination based on the academic standards of the program.  The academic program committee may require an in person meeting with the student as deemed necessary.
8. Should readmission be granted, the student will be readmitted on Academic Warning.  Should the cumulative program GPA fall below 3.0 in a subsequent semester, the student will be dismissed from the university.
9. A student who had already had their petition for readmission denied by the academic program may appeal the decision to the Jurisdictional Academic Dean over the program.  The step must be completed in the form of a written request to the Academic Dean within one calendar week after the student has been informed of the program committee decision.  The Academic Dean will appoint two faculty members to serve on an ad hoc committee working to review the student's appeal. The ad hoc appeal committee will review all relevant materials and meet with the student and others, as deemed necessary. The decision of this ad hoc appeal committee is final.  The ad hoc appeal committee will then report back to the program and the University Registrar regarding the final decision and its reasoning.

Learning Outcomes