Graduate Certificate in Teaching College Mathematics
Description: This program allows students to become familiar with modern theories of learning and research-based pedagogical strategies that are effective for the college mathematics classroom. Students will complete coursework, teach undergraduate courses, be evaluated by experienced faculty, and write a teaching philosophy statement to better prepare them for a career involving post-secondary instruction.
Prerequisite: Enrolled in a Department of Mathematics and Statistics graduate program at any campus. Exceptions can be requested by emailing the graduate coordinator. Applicants must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0, be in good academic standing, be admitted to the Graduate School, and have a record consistent with the admissions guidelines for the Graduate School, including completing an undergraduate degree from an accredited post-secondary institution.
Fees: There is no additional certificate fee for this program beyond the Graduate School certificate application fee.
Application Process and Certificate Timeline: The graduate school form "Application for Graduate Certificate,” the departmental application, and required supplemental materials should all be submitted to the graduate coordinator for review by the Graduate Studies Committee and subsequent submission to the Graduate School. These materials can all be found through http://www.math.wsu.edu/graduatestudies/. The application for the certificate program may be submitted any time after the completion of the requirements, and no later than the semester before the semester the student plans to graduate or complete the certificate (e.g. submit by October for a May graduation). Coursework may remain incomplete at the time of application submission, but the certificate will not be received until grades for all courses are posted.
Required Courses (6 credit hours total):- MATH 533 – Teaching College Mathematics (1 cr, taken three times)
- MATH 532 – Advanced Mathematical Thinking (3 cr)
- MATH 531 – Intersections of Culture and Mathematics (3 cr)
- MATH 534 – Theories of Learning in Mathematics (3 cr)
- MATH 535 – Research Paradigms in Mathematics Education (3 cr)
- MATH 590 – Topics in Mathematics Education (variable credit, repeatable)
*In exceptional cases one substitution will be allowed. Please contact the program director.
Other Requirements for certificate completion:
- Experience as instructor of record or teaching assistant for at least two semesters of undergraduate mathematics courses. At least one must be a developmental course (courses listed below Math 140) and at least one must be a college-level mathematics course (Math 140 and above).
- Submission of at least two formal observations of your teaching by faculty members in the department. These observations should be accompanied by a reflection on your pedagogical strategies in light of the written observation. The following faculty members have indicated possible interest in assisting with classroom observations (not limited to this list; any Math & Stat faculty may observe): Drs. William Hall, Lynn Schreyer, Daniel Reiss, Matthew Hudelson, Sergey Lapin, and David Slavit (Vancouver). Submission of a satisfactory written Teaching Statement, which will normally be drafted during coursework in MATH 533. All courses must be taken on a graded basis, and cannot be completed as S/F.
- Timeline to degree and other graduate school policies for full-time and part-time students will apply. Part-time students are eligible for the program.
- Students in academically deficient status (or on probation/suspension) may continue pursuing the certificate program upon reinstatement by their graduate department. To complete the certificate program, students must have a 3.0 GPA by the semester of anticipated completion.
- Completion of at least 18 graded credit hours with a grade of B- or above in their graduate program is required, which may include courses from this certificate program.
- One course may be evaluated by departmental faculty for a substitution of a course requirement.
| Course | Offered |
|---|---|
| MATH 531 | Every fall |
| MATH 532 | Event years (spring) |
| MATH 533 | Every semester |
| MATH 534 | Odd years (fall) |
| MATH 535 | Off years (spring) |
| MATH 590 | Infrequent |
Sample Paths to Completion
Enter: Fall (odd year) Fall 2021 – MATH 533 Spring 2022 – MATH 532, MATH 533 Fall 2022 – MATH 531, MATH 533 Spring 2023 – MATH 535
Enter: Fall (even year) Fall 2020 – MATH 533 Spring 2021 – MATH 533 Fall 2021 – MATH 534 or MATH 531, MATH 533 Spring 2022 – MATH 532