Master of Arts
(MA) in Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Teaching Elementary and Middle School
Mathematics
Northeastern Illinois University
Department of Mathematics
5500 North Saint Louis Avenue
Bernard Brommel Hall, BBH 214B & C
Fax: 772-442-5770
www.neiu.edu/~math
The Master of Arts (MA) in Pedagogical Content Knowledge
for Teaching Elementary and Middle School Mathematics program at
Northeastern Illinois University is designed for teachers who wish to improve
their level of competence in mathematics or wish to serve as Elementary or
Middle School Mathematics Specialists, Coordinators of Elementary or Middle
School Mathematics Programs, or Teachers of Elementary or Middle School
Mathematics.
The MA program is mathematics-content oriented with a focus on content-specific
pedagogy, mathematics teaching in diverse settings, and current Illinois
educator and student standards. Students study elementary and middle school
mathematics content from an advanced perspective, exploring the underlying
concepts with the goal of improving their teaching of elementary and middle
school mathematics. Successful completion of the program leads to a middle
school mathematics endorsement.
To complete the degree, students must complete 30 hours of coursework at
the 400-level. The degree requirements also include a portfolio and exit exam.
Students may complete the program in two years by enrolling in two courses
during each of the Fall and Spring semesters and two courses in the intervening
summer. Admission preference will be given to applicants with teaching
experience. Students interested in 9-12 mathematics endorsement should contact
the program advisor for more information.
Admission Requirements
for the MA Program:
1. Students must fulfill the requirements for
admission to the Graduate College.
2. Students must hold a current Illinois
teaching certificate for teaching elementary or middle school.
3. Students must have successfully completed 6
or more credit hours of college mathematics content courses.
4. Applications must include an essay (not to
exceed 1000 words) describing a successful or unsuccessful elementary or middle
grades mathematics lesson taught by the applicant. Essays must address
mathematics content, teaching and learning.
Degree Requirements for
the MA Program:
All courses listed below
are required. Students must have completed at least 24 program hours by the
time they complete MTHE 496. Course sequence must be chosen in consultation
with the MA advisor. All courses are 3 credit hours.
Required Courses for the MA Program:
MTHE 401 Number Systems and Operations for Elementary and Middle School
Teachers
MTHE 402 Patterns, Functions, and Algebra for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
MTHE 403 Geometry and Measurement for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
MTHE 404 History of Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
MTHE 438 Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability for Elementary and Middle
School Teachers
MTHE 439 Technology for Elementary and Middle School Mathematics Teachers
MTHE 450 Equitable Mathematics Teaching for Elementary and Middle School
Teachers
MTHE 451 Research Trends in Elementary and Middle School Mathematics Education
ELED 440 Current Issues in the Teaching of Elementary and Middle School
Mathematics
MTHE 496 Graduate Seminar for Elementary and Middle School Mathematics Teachers
Total: 30cr
Exit Requirements for the MA Program:
1. One semester prior to their anticipated
graduation date, candidates should make an exit evaluation meeting with their
program advisor to discuss upcoming exit requirement deadlines.
2. Upon completing MTHE 496, candidates should
submit their electronic portfolios for evaluation.
3. One semester prior to their anticipated
graduation date, candidates should submit a copy of their results on either the
Praxis® Middle School Mathematics Exam (0069) or the Illinois Subject
Matter Test in Mathematics.
For more information about the Master of Arts (MA) in Pedagogical Content
Knowledge for Teaching Elementary and Middle School Mathematics please contact:
Dr. Tanya Cofer
Associate Professor, Mathematics
Advisor, MA Program
Office: BBH 225A
Tel (work): 773-442-5758
Email: T-Cofer@neiu.edu
Dr. Sarah B. Oppland-Cordell
Assistant Professor, Mathematics
Office: BBH 225C
Tel (work): 773-442-5751
Email: S-Cordell@neiu.edu
