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 36 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.