MS Degree Requirements

GRADUATE COORDINATOR
Dan Siebert
189 TMCB
801-422-1751
dsiebert@mathed.byu.edu

REQUIREMENTS

The Department of Mathematics Education offers a program of graduate study that leads to a Master of Science degree in mathematics education. Through the experiences this program offers, graduate students will extend their own understanding of mathematics and deepen their understanding of learners’ mathematical thinking. Our department values close, detailed mentoring of each graduate student as an active member of the scholarly community—a community devoted to exploration and inquiry into the learning and teaching of mathematics. Our program emphasizes interactions with faculty in course work that (1) allows students to explore new mathematical understanding in both personal and social contexts; (2) immerses students deeply in exploration, inquiry, analysis and exposition; and (3) familiarizes students with the ever-expanding body of research literature on learning and teaching mathematics and with prevailing research methodologies. The cumulative experiences of our program prepare graduates to enter top mathematics education doctoral programs, to take on important leadership roles in school mathematics education communities, and to return to classrooms better equipped to teach lessons that are informed by students’ mathematical thinking.

•Required Entrance Examinations: GRE general test. Every international applicant whose native language is not English is required to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.

•Academic Prerequisite: BS or BA in mathematics education or academic credentials at least equivalent (as determined by the Department of Mathematics Education).

•Certification Prerequisite: A recognized state teacher certification. (Note: Work required to meet the certification requirement may not be counted as part of the graduate program.)

•Advisement: The graduate coordinator is an entering student’s academic sponsor (preliminary advisor). Entering students should contact the graduate coordinator early to discuss initial coursework and program plans.

Requirements for Degree

•Credit Hours: A minimum of 24 credit hours of approved coursework plus 6 thesis hours (699R) for the thesis option; a minimum of 27 credit hours of approved coursework plus 3 project hours (698R) for the project option. Note: Credit for undergraduate prerequisite courses, certification courses and independent study courses is not allowed.

•Required Courses: Mthed 590, 591; 3 credit hours of 611R; 9 (for thesis option) or 12 (for project option) credit hours of approved 500 or 600-level mathematics education coursework.

•Elective Courses: 6 credits of approved graduate level coursework (no more than 3 credits of reading course 695R).

•Comprehensive Examination: Pass a written comprehensive examination. Full-time students take the examination the May following their first year. Most part-time students take the examination the May following their second year.

•Completion of Thesis or Project Option: See below.

•Minor (Optional): Any approved minor.

Thesis Option
•Thesis: Write a thesis based on an approved research project. A formal thesis proposal is required.
•Oral Defense.

Project Option
•Project: Write a principled exposition based on an approved project. A formal project proposal is required.
•Oral Defense.