The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Mathematics is a 48 credit hour program that provides initial New York State mathematics certification for grades 7 – 12.  Field practicum and student teaching account for 16 of the 48 hours.  The program, to begin in Summer Session 2008, is jointly run by the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Curriculum, and students will have an advisor from each department.  Entering students are expected to have an undergraduate degree in mathematics or a related field, such as engineering, with at least one course in each of these three areas:  advanced calculus or analysis, abstract algebra, and calculus-based statistics or probability.  A student may be accepted lacking one of these courses but will have to make up that deficiency. 

The program is designed expressly for future teachers of mathematics.  The four mathematics courses, MAT 504, MAT 507, MAT 550, and MAT 573, treat mathematics at a level appropriate for a student who has just finished an undergraduate degree in mathematics, and are intended to provide the content background for a strong high school teacher.  Mathematics at this level has been labeled "teacher's mathematics."  MAE 514 provides cultural background and an understanding of mathematics pedagogy to help a teacher reach all students effectively.  ADO 530 is a 4 sh mathematics methods course and is coordinated with a 2 sh field experience.  The four courses in education and pedagogy, EDU 501, LIT 507 , LIT 513, and ADO 594,  provide background in the educational process and instructional strategies.  [An undergraduate introduction to Psychology and an additional course in Adolescent Psychology are expected.]

A student with appropriate background can complete the program in a Summer – Fall – Spring – Summer sequence, with Student Teaching in the Spring.

Contact:  Christopher Baltus

Program Description

The MAT Mathematics Program, leading to Initial Teaching Certification in Mathematics grades 7-12, is a full time 48 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.  Primarily, admission to the program will be in the Spring, with coursework to begin in late May.  However, fall admission, for spring classes, is possible in exceptional cases. The program is intended for students with a BA or BS in mathematics or equivalent who wish to earn New York State teacher certification. 

Application Requirements
Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching: Mathematics must hold a BA or BS degree in Mathematics or 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 (6 credit hours college level or 4 years high school to the language IV level) of a language other than English.  A computer language does not meet the 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.  There are two meetings 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 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 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 both the Mathematics Department advisor and the advisor from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.  Students will then receive a letter advising them of their current status. 

Curriculum

The MAT: Mathematics program comprises 12 sh (semester hours) in mathematics, 12 sh in general pedagogy, 8 sh in mathematics-specific pedagogy, and 16 sh in field placement and student teaching.  The field placement consists of 100 clock hours; student teaching consists of two supervised 7-week full-time experiences. 

Student teaching is expected to take place in the Spring Semester.  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. 

Candidates must complete SSHS 1020: Safe Schools, Healthy Students, a non-credit 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 as sshs@oswego.edu or www.oswego.edu/safeschools.

*Students who have courses in both history and geometry should take, in place of MAT 507, with approval, one of
                MAT 553 Math Modeling and Technology for the Secondary Teacher  OR
                MAT 580 Technology and Problem Solving