COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Department of Educational Leadership and Professional Studies

M.Ed. in Curriculum and Learning: Middle and High School Mathematics Concentration

This concentration is intended for previously certified teachers who want to become endorsed in middle or high school mathematics and who want to obtain a Master’s degree in the process. It consists of a combination of Mathematics Endorsement (MAEN) courses offered by the Mathematics Department and research and pedagogy courses offered by the Department of Educational Leadership and Professional Studies. A full master's thesis and comprehensive exit requirement are part of the degree.  This concentration includes options for state endorsement in middle or high school mathematics.  Graduates of this program will have completed 3-6 of the 12 credits needed for a New Jersey Supervisory Endorsement.

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Coordinator:
Dr. Christina Mouser
mouserc@wpunj.edu
Phone: 973-720-2262
Office: Science Hall East room 3044

Entry Requirements
Each applicant must demonstrate that he or she can fulfill the requirements of the program, including the ability to read and write at a graduate level, the capability to do graduate level academic work, and an interest in educational theory and practice. Toward this end the requirements for admission are:
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended.
  • A cumulative grade point average from past degrees of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale*.
  • A minimum verbal score of 450 (older scale, prior to August 1, 2011) or 150 (current scale) on the Graduate Record Examination or a minimum score of 388 on the Miller Analogies Test*.
  • A two-page essay by the applicant about how the degree will enhance professional development and what the important issues are in the proposed field of study. 
    A two-page essay by the applicant about how the degree will enhance professional development and what the important issues are in the proposed field of study.
  • A copy of a teaching certificate and/or a resume of any teaching or educational work the applicant has performed.
  • Two professional letters of reference, at least one from a professor or other person who can attest to the applicant's academic abilities.
  • Each applicant should have a personal interview before being accepted for matriculation.
  • Applicants are required to pass a placement exam administered by the mathematics department, showing knowledge of Introductory and College Algebra. Performance on this exam will determine the applicant’s placement in MAEN courses listed under Mathematics Content Requirements.
*Applicants who do not meet the grade point average or standardized test requirements may supplement the application with additional materials in support of their academic potential for the successful completion of the graduate degree.

Program Requirements
Course Requirements: 33 credits  
   
Middle  School Mathematics Endorsement**
  
Required Core Courses in Education: 15 credits
 Credits
ELCL 6140 Multiple Representations Mathematics Across Curriculum * 3
ELCL 6160 Contemporary Trends and Issues in Mathematics Education * 3
ELCL 6280 Mathematics Education Research Seminar 3
ELCL 6290 Research in Education I 3
ELCL 6300 Research in Education II 3
Mathematics Content Core: 15 credits  
MAEN 5000 Algebra in Middle School Mathematics 3
MAEN 5020 Algebra and Applications 3
MAEN 5030 Mathematical Problem Solving 3
MAEN 5040 Geometry and Applications 3
MAEN 5050 Statistics and Applications 3
Elective Option: 3 credits  
MAEN or ELCL course chosen with advisement 3
 
  
High School Mathematics Endorsement***
  
 
Required Core Courses in Education: 12 Credits
ELCL 6160 Contemporary Trends and Issues in Mathematics Education * 3
ELCL 6280 Mathematics Education Research Seminar
 3
ELCL 6290 Research in Education I 3
ELCL 6300 Research in Education II 3
Mathematics Content Requirements: 21 credits (with advisement)
MAEN 5000 Algebra in Middle School Mathematics 3
MAEN 5020 Algebra and Applications
 3
MAEN 5030 Mathematical Problem Solving 3
MAEN 5040 Geometry and Applications 3
MAEN 5050 Statistics and Applications
 3
MAEN 5060 Elementary Function Theory 3
MAEN 5070 Differential Calculus 3
MAEN 5100 Integral Calculus
 3
MAEN 5110 Topics in Discrete Mathematics 3
MAEN 5120 Multivariable Calculus 3
MAEN 5130 Topics in Linear Algebra 3
MAEN 5140 Topics in Number Theory 3
MAEN 7000 Independent Study

*This course counts toward post-master's 12 credit Supervisory Certificate.

**Candidates who complete these 5 MAEN courses, have evidence of a course including adolescent psychology, and pass the Middle School Praxis exam will be eligible to be recommended for the Middle School Mathematics Endorsement in New Jersey by William Paterson University.

***Note that the M.Ed. requirement is for seven (7) MAEN courses selected by advisement and placement testing through the Mathematics Department. Candidates who are seeking endorsement as High School Mathematics teachers, must complete ten (10) MAEN courses at WPU and pass the Praxis exam for High School Mathematics in order to be recommended for that endorsement by William Paterson University.

Exit Requirements
  • The completion of 33 credits of prescribed graduate study for all concentrations and six credits in educational research culminating in the production of a master's thesis. This thesis developed and completed in the candidate's field of specialization during the Research in Education I and Research in Education II courses.
  • Satisfactory completion of a concentration-specific exit requirement. This latter requirement carries no course credit but must be completed before graduation.