Mathematics Education

About this Composite Major

Teaching mathematics is an interesting and rewarding career choice. This is a critical skill for all learners as mathematics is the foundation for all science, technology, and engineering programs. There is an urgent need for math teachers, and graduates will enter a field with numerous career opportunities.

Meet a Student

A picture of VCSU math student Kadie Anderson.

I chose to attend VCSU because I liked the smaller campus. I also enjoyed how friendly everyone on campus was. It truly felt like a second home. I would encourage any student to attend VCSU because the people are amazing. People on campus care about you and celebrate accomplishments, even small ones. You truly have an opportunity to become a difference maker on campus. - Kadie Anderson '19, Linton, ND; math teacher.

I was able to complete my Math Education major while competing in college volleyball. The help and support that this education program provided me has helped me to be successful in my current teaching career. I can't thank VCSU enough for the great experiences! #WeAllRow. - Rachel Hummel '16, Fargo, ND; math teacher.

Career Opportunities

A member of VCSU’s faculty teaching in the Rhoades Science Center and covering a wide variety of math theories in the classroom.

In recent years, VCSU graduates in Math Education have enjoyed 100% job placement and most have been under contract with a school district prior to graduation. Also, math education majors are often sought by employers outside of education who recognize that students successfully completing a math education degree possess strong analytical skills, people skills, and activity management skills. These characteristics are sought by government agencies, industry, and business.

Program Highlights

VCSU faculty working on line with a math student on modeling and equations.

Coursework available face-to-face on campus or fully online
Select mathematics coursework designed specifically for teacher education majors
Cutting-edge, technology-rich instruction utilizing the latest in mathematics software
Low student-to-professor ratio and individualized academic advising
FREE digital math textbooks

Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

Teacher Education Requirements

Students are typically admitted into Teacher Education during their sophomore year or the beginning of their junior year of college. This program requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and successful completion of the Praxis CORE test. Additional criteria for Admission to Teacher Education can be found at the following website: www.onestop.vcsu.edu.

Contact Information

Department Chair and Faculty Contact

Dr. Jamie Wirth, jamie.wirth@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7734

Department Location

Rhoades Science Center 132, (701) 845-7645

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/

(701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641

General Education Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
English Composition
Select one of the following:		6
ENGL 110	College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
or
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
ENGL 210	College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:		3
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 103	College Algebra
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics
MATH 107	Precalculus
MATH 110	Mathematics in Society
MATH 165	Calculus I ¹
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following, one must come from the Natural and Physical Sciences category		8
Natural and Physical Sciences (ND:LABSC)
BIOL 111	Concepts of Biology
BIOL 150	General Biology I
BIOL 151	General Biology II
BIOL 170	General Zoology
CHEM 115	Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 116	Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II
GEOL 100	Introduction to Earth Science
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time
PHYS 100	Concepts of Physics
PHYS 110	Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 211	College Physics I
PHYS 212	College Physics II
PHYS 251	University Physics I
PHYS 252	University Physics II
Additional Sciences (ND:SCI)
PSYC 240	Cognition and Brain Science
TECH 161	Technology, Engineering, and Design
TECH 165	Technology Solutions for Society
Wellness
Select one of the following:		2
HPER 100	Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:		3
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems ³
CSCI 120	Introduction to Programming
CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java
CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology ³
SE 110	Discovering Computing
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:		3
ASL 101	American Sign Language I
ASL 102	American Sign Language II
COMM 211	Oral Interpretation
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature
ENGL 225	Introduction to Film
ENGL 231	Bible as Literature
ENGL 232	Mythology
ENGL 236	Women and Literature
ENGL 241	World Literature I
ENGL 242	World Literature II
ENGL 261	American Literature I
ENGL 262	American Literature II
HUM 201	Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
PSYC 200	Ethics and Philosophy of Science
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II
SPAN 201	2nd Year Spanish I
SPAN 202	2nd Year Spanish II
THEA 110	Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:		3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts
ART 115	Introduction to Digital Media
ART 210	Art History I
ART 211	Art History II
ART 233	History of Craft
HUM 202	Fine Arts and Aesthetics
MUS 100	Music Appreciation
MUS 101	Music Fundamentals
MUS 201	World Music
MUS 207	History of Popular/Rock Music
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:		6
COMM 112	Understanding Media and Social Change
COMM 114	Human Communication
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics
GEOG 151	Human Geography
HIST 103	United States to 1877
HIST 104	United States to Present
HIST 211	World Civilizations to 1500
HIST 212	World Civilizations since 1500
HIST 267	Environmental History
HIST 270	Native American Studies
POLS 115	American National Government
POLS 116	State and Local Government
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology ²
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology
SOC 111	Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:		2
ART 122	Two-Dimensional Design
ART 130	Drawing I
ART 150	Ceramics I
ART 180	Photography I
GEOG 111	Survey of Geography
MUS 104	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 105	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 130	Valkyries
MUS 131	Concert Choir
MUS 140	Athletic Band
MUS 141	Concert Band
PHYS 275	Planetarium Science
THEA 201	Theatre Practicum
Total Credits		39

¹: Required
²: Required as pre-requisite for PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology
³: Course satisfies the Digital Literacy graduation requirement.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
MATH 166	Calculus II	4
MATH 208	Discrete Mathematics	3
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics	3
MATH 265	Calculus III	4
MATH 266	Introduction to Differential Equations	3
MATH 313	Algebra and Functions for Teachers	3
MATH 314	Geometry & Trigonometry for Teachers	3
MATH 321	Applied Probability and Statistics	3
MATH 330	Linear Algebra and Matrices	3
MATH 340	Abstract Algebra	4
MATH 400	History and Philosophy of Mathematics	2
MATH 410	Real Analysis	3
MATH 490	Methods of Teaching Secondary Mathematics	3
MATH 491	Math Capstone	1
CSCI 120	Introduction to Programming	3
or CSCI 124	C++ I
or CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java
or CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I
or CSCI 161	Introduction to Structured Programming II
or CSCI 365	Programming Language Topics
or SE 110	Discovering Computing

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirement 45 Hrs
Total Professional Ed Sequence 32-33 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 120 Hrs

Professional Education Sequence

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Professional Education Sequence
EDUC 240	Educating Exceptional Students	3
EDUC 250	Introduction to Education	3
EDUC 283	Understanding Cultural Diversity in Education	3
EDUC 300	Educational Technology	2
EDUC 351	Secondary Practicum and Classroom Management	1
EDUC 352	Culturally Diverse Practicum	1
or EDUC 464	Practicum in the ELL Classroom
EDUC 375	Teaching Reading in the Content Areas	2
EDUC 400	Educational Psychology	2
EDUC 450	Trends in Assessment and Educational Issues	2
EDUC 480	Student Teaching (Secondary)	10
PSYC 250	Developmental Psychology	3
Total Credits		32

For degree and graduation requirements, visit degree requirements and graduation requirements.

Plan of Study

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
COMM 110 or 212 (Gen Ed)	3	ENGL 120 or 125 (Gen Ed)	3
ENGL 110 (Gen Ed)	3	Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4
HPER 100 (Gen Ed)	2	PSYC 111 (Gen Ed)	3
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4	MATH 165 (Gen Ed)	4
MATH 107 (if Math 165 Calculus pre-req not yet satisfied)	4	MATH 210	3
UNIV 150	1
	17		17
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Art and Music (Gen Ed)	3	EDUC 240	3
EDUC 250	3	EDUC 283	3
Literacies (Gen Ed)	3	MATH 265	4
MATH 166	4	MATH 314	3
SE 110 (Gen Ed)	3	MATH 330	3
	16		16
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
EDUC 351	1	EDUC 300	2
EDUC 450	2	EDUC 375	2
Elective	2	MATH 313	3
MATH 266	3	MATH 321	3
MATH 340	4	MATH 400	2
MATH 490	3	Social Science (Gen Ed)	3
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Additional Humanities or Social Science (Gen Ed)	2	EDUC 480	10
EDUC 352	1
EDUC 400	2
MATH 208	3
MATH 410	3
MATH 491	1
PSYC 250	3
	15		10
Total Credits 121

Please note: This plan is intended for general information only. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Learning Outcomes

The following outcomes are based on the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board State Program Approval Standards.

1. Content and Computation: Students can demonstrate mathematical proficiency in course-level content-specific learning outcomes for all mathematics courses within the program. This includes the application and demonstration of computational and algorithmic problem-solving techniques.

2. Communication: Students can read, interpret, write about, and talk about mathematics.

3. Technology: Students can use mathematics technologies to represent, create, solve, and analyze mathematical concepts.

4. Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Students can demonstrate the ability to integrate mathematical content knowledge with knowledge of secondary mathematics standards & curriculum, general pedagogical practices, and knowledge of learners and their characteristics.

5. Dispositions: Students can demonstrate the professional dispositions required of a classroom teacher.