Master of Science in Mathematics -
Mathematics Education Option
Requirements
Entrance Requirements
A typical MSMME applicant will have (1) a BS or
BA with a major or minor in mathematics, (2) certification to teach
mathematics, and (3) at least two years of successful mathematics
teaching experience at the secondary level. Applicants who
do not have the above qualifications (e.g., those teaching at a
private school or in a two-year college not requiring certification)
will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Normally students will
be considered for admission only if their undergraduate GPA is higher
than 3.0.
Program Requirements
The MSMME program requires 30 semester hours of course work. The
program of study typically includes courses in analysis, foundations of mathematics, geometry, statistics, math
modeling, linear algebra, discrete mathematics,and mathematics
education courses in assessment, standards, and institution. Each student's program is individually designed to
take into account the student's background, interests, and career
goals.
Advising
Each student is advised by a three-person faculty committee charged
with oversight of the student's program and with administering the
student's capstone project and oral examination. The committee must include at
least two faculty members from the Department of Mathematical
Sciences. Students will be assigned a committee upon
admission.
Capstone Presentation & Comprehensive Examination
Overview
All students must present (1) a capstone project and (2) pass a
follow-up oral examination in order to complete the MSMME program.
These requirements are intended to give the student the opportunity to
synthesize a significant body of knowledge based on their work in the program.
Part 1:The capstone project is an action research project,
based upon a classroom topic relevant to the student and presented
as a series of web pages. The underlying goals of the capstone
project are to improve student achievement in the teacher's classroom
or improve the teacher's understanding of the teaching and learning
process. The first step of a capstone project is a capstone
proposal, which must be approved by the student's graduate committee.
The results of the work are presented in a seminar or
other suitable forum approved by the student's committee.
Part 2: The oral examination allows the student and his/her graduate
committee to reflect on the theoretical foundations, methodology, and
results of the capstone project. This exam is normally taken
immediately following the capstone presentation. A notification of
intent to take the examination must be filed with the Department of
Mathematical Sciences and the Office of Graduate Studies in accordance
with the "Dates and Deadlines" posted in the MSU Graduate Catalog.
Course & Credit Hour Requirements
The capstone project represents a significant component of the MSMME
program. As a result, the capstone project now comprises seven (7)
credit hours of the student's entire 30-credit program of study.
Specifically, as of summer 2008, each student intending to complete a
capstone project must include the following three courses on their program of study:
Math 571 Action Research in Mathematics Education. 2 credits, on campus, offered each
summer.
Math 572 Improving Mathematics Education: Capstone Proposal. 2 credits, distance, offered each fall through the
Burns Technology Center.
Math 577 Improving Mathematics Education: Capstone Project. 3 credits, on campus/distance, offered each
summer through the Burns Technology Center.
Most students will complete 571 during a summer session, 572
during the subsequent fall semester, and 577 during the subsequent
summer session. Please note that the Division of Gradaute Education
mandates that each student must be enrolled in at least three (3)
credits of coursework (of which 577 qualifies) during the semester
they present their capstone project and during the semester they
intend to graduate.
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