Overview
The courses of the Elementary Mathematics Specialist Program emphasize deep learning of mathematical content as well as mathematics educational leadership and progressive mathematics pedagogy appropriate for teaching elementary students.
The Elementary Mathematics Specialist endorsement must be associated with a Master’s degree. The courses for this endorsement associated with a Master’s degree are offered through two different avenues. (1) Candidates can gain a Master’s Degree in Education by taking the required Elementary Mathematics Specialist courses as an area of emphasis along with master’s core and capstone courses for a total of 33 hours of course work (see table below). Or, if the applicant already has a master’s degree in education, candidates can gain a graduate certificate by taking only the required Elementary Mathematics Specialist courses for a total of 21 hours of course work. After finishing the program through either of these two avenues, candidates can apply for the Elementary Mathematics Specialist endorsement on their current, regular education, teaching license from the WV Department of Education. If a candidate is working towards endorsement in another state, the candidate must check with their state board of education to see if this program is compatible with that state’s Elementary Mathematics Specialist endorsement requirements.
If the candidate does not have a master’s degree and only wants to gain the graduate certificate, then the candidate can apply for an Elementary Mathematics Specialization endorsement on their current, regular education, teaching license. If a candidate is working towards endorsement in another state, the candidate must check with their state board of education to see if this program is compatible with that state’s Elementary Mathematics Specialization endorsement requirements.
Plans of Study
Elementary Math Specialist Certificate
Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Elementary Mathematics Specialist
Mathematics Area of Emphasis Course Work
Mathematics Area of Emphasis Course Work
Prerequisites
Certificate Candidates
- Transcripts verifying Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or a Master’s degree
- Documentation of current regular education teacher licensure in Elementary Education
Degree Candidates
- Transcripts verifying Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.5
- Documentation of current regular education teacher licensure in Elementary Education.
Application for Admission and Information
For complete admission information and an application visit: http://www.marshall.edu/graduate/
For More Information Please Contact
Dr. McKenzie Brittain
Associate Professor (Program Coordinator)
Marshall University
College of Education and Professional Development
100 Angus E. Peyton Drive, South Charleston, WV
brittain@marshall.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
The purpose of the program, in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Education, is to provide elementary teachers with an avenue to attain an Elementary Mathematics Specialist or Elementary Mathematics Specialization endorsement on their elementary education teaching license. At this time, there is no Praxis II exam needed to attain this endorsement. The purpose of the courses developed for this program are to strengthen teachers’ mathematics content knowledge and skills, and teachers’ mathematics pedagogy knowledge and skills for elementary grades K-6.
The goals and objectives of the program cover mathematics content in the areas of Numbers and Operations, Rational Numbers, Technical Mathematics, Algebra, and Geometry. The goals and objectives also cover mathematics pedagogy and technology that can be used in the mathematics classroom. This program also includes preparing candidates to be mathematics teacher leaders in their schools.
The program objectives are determined through the guidance of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards and objectives. Goals and objectives from the West Virginia Department of Education content standards and objectives for Mathematics, and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) are also used as guidelines for course content.