Master of Arts in Teaching: Mathematics Education

The Mathematics - Secondary Education Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is an accelerated teacher licensure program that is 100% online and leads its graduates to both an initial teaching license and a master’s degree in as little as a year and a half (full-time).

Read more about Professional Licensure.

In the Mathematics - Secondary Education MAT, teachers grow in knowledge and impact as they learn how to integrate practice with theory in today’s culturally diverse and technology-enhanced classrooms.

Please note that the MAT program’s focus is on preparation to teach in K-12 schools rather than an advanced credential for practicing teachers or a precursor to research-oriented doctoral studies in education.

Our Mathematics - Secondary Education MAT program prepares mathematics teachers for grades 6-8 or 9-12 by building on a candidate’s strong background in the mathematical sciences. Coursework and field experiences focus on developing strong pedagogical content knowledge as it relates specifically to teaching secondary mathematics. Our program prepares teachers to use technology as candidates develop expertise with mobile and computer-based software used for learning and teaching mathematics. Candidates are expected to engage as scholars to synthesize research literature on learning and teaching mathematics and use research-based methods in their planning, instruction and assessment of students.

Prior to admission, applicants must have a minimum of 18 hours of mathematics for middle grades or 24 hours of mathematics for high school required for an “A” license.   The following coursework is recommended for well-prepared secondary mathematics teachers:

• Calculus (12 hrs.) Any combination of undergraduate courses that equates to 12 credit hours (Generally Calculus I, II, & III)
• Proof (3 hrs.) MA 225
• Linear Algebra (3 hrs.) MA 405
• Abstract Algebra (3 hrs.) MA 403 or MA 407
• Advanced Geometry (3 hrs.) MA 308, MA 408 or MA 508
• Statistics (6 hrs.) Any combination of undergraduate courses that equate to 6 hours in Statistics
• Finite/ Discrete Math (3 hrs.) MA 351
• Computer Programming (3 hrs.)

The semester after completing a minimum of 15 credit hours, students must:

• Have maintained a minimum average of 3.0 in all coursework
• Pass a criminal background check

Eligibility

Applicants must have:

• Bachelor’s degree from a college or university that holds regional accreditation from a recognized accrediting agency such as SACS;
• 3.0 GPA or higher in prior work, as required by the Graduate School;
• The GRE is no longer required for admission to the MAT program if you have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. If your GPA is below 3.0, a combined Verbal and Quantitative score of 300 on GRE is required. Scores should be no older than 5 years prior to the date of admission;
• Minimum passing score of 100 on the TOEFL AND an official course-by-course evaluation from an accredited foreign credential evaluation service required for applicants with non-U.S. degrees*;
• Meet the specific requirements of content area or grade level. See specialty coursework under curriculum for content standards.

In the absence of a content degree, 24 semester hours/credits in content relevant to the area in which you wish to teach are needed. Candidates who are missing content area courses can take them at a local college or university or as a PBS (post-baccalaureate student) at NC State prior to admission.

If an applicant does not have the 24 content area credits needed to be accepted into the program, he or she can still enroll in the first graduate classes as a Non-Degree student (NDS) while completing the full 24 content-specific hours and transfer those credits into the degree program. Up to 12 credit hours with a grade of “B” or better can be transferred into a master’s degree program (either completed as an NDS student or at another institution).

*Please note that the Master of Arts in Teaching is a Distance Education program, so students on university-sponsored visas are not eligible for this program. Please contact the Office of International Services with any questions.

Plan of Study

MAT participants can undertake this program full-time or part-time. Depending on the content area, the program is approximately 30 credit hours, including a full-semester student teaching experience.

Career Prospects

Math teachers are essential; mathematics are the foundation of the formulas, principles and concepts used in engineering, production, manufacturing, research, development and technology. Students need to master these indispensable skills to excel in our ever-changing world. The Mathematics - Secondary Education MAT program prepares teachers for an exciting career educating the future of America.