Degrees for Education

Penn State Behrend’s new Bachelor of Science program in Secondary Mathematics Education prepares students for careers as mathematics teachers in secondary schools by providing both a strong foundation in mathematics content and hands-on experience in the classroom. The program stresses the teaching philosophies of the National Council of the Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), which students then put into practice in internships supervised by highly qualified, experienced teachers.

The degree is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teaching Education (NCATE), and graduates meet all academic requirements for the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Instructional I certificate.

Analysts project that there will be a need for 240,000 new mathematics and science teachers in middle and high schools over the next decade, and this shortage is considered to be a growing problem in the United States.

Students in the program will:
Get hands-on experience with real middle and high school students under the supervision of highly qualified, experienced teachers.
Understand deeply the mathematics they are teaching.
Become familiar with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards and Principles, so they do not inhibit students’ natural inclination to understand.
Use and compare different assessment techniques and know that they should be continually gathering information about their students.
Appropriately and responsibly use technology to ensure that the technology is enhancing students’ mathematical thinking.
Have numerous and varied experiences related to the cultural, historical, and scientific evolution of mathematics.
Learn to use their knowledge flexibly in authentic situations.

Elementary Teacher Certification

Successful completion of this major, in the context of other program requirements, qualifies the student for recommendation for endorsement in mathematics, certification code EX. This program of studies meets all requirements of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) covering this field is #89, “Mathematics (Elementary).” At least nine hours in the major must be taken at Eastern Michigan University.
General Education Requirements: 40 hours
Additional Requirements: 18-19 hours
CHEM 101 – Chemistry for Elementary Teachers Credits: 3 hrs
ESSC 202 – Earth Science for Elementary Teachers Credits: 3 hrs
GEOG 110 – World Regions Credits: 3 hrs
LITR 207 – Introduction to Children’s Literature Credits: 3 hrs
PHY 100 – Physics for Elementary Teachers Credits: 3 hrs
One course from the following
PSY 101 – General Psychology Credits: 3 hrs
PSY 102 – General Psychology Credits: 4 hrs
Major Requirements: 30 hours
Required Courses: 22 hours
MATH 108 – Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I Credits: 3 hrs
MATH 110E – Mathematical Reasoning: Applications for Elementary School Teachers Credits: 3 hrs
MATH 120 – Calculus I Credits: 4 hrs
MATH 210 – Algebra for Elementary Teachers Credits: 3 hrs
MATH 240 – Geometry for Elementary Teachers Credits: 3 hrs
MATH 301 – Advanced Topics in Elementary Mathematics Credits: 3 hrs
MATH 403 – Current Research in Elementary School Mathematics Credits: 3 hrs
Restricted Elective Courses: 8 hours

Eight hours from the following, with at least three hours at the 300-or 400-level:
Other mathematics courses as approved by the advising coordinator for elementary mathematics education
MATH 110 – Mathematical Reasoning Credits: 3 hrs
MATH 118 – Linear Models and Probability Credits: 3 hrs
MATH 122 – Elementary Linear Algebra Credits: 3 hrs
MATH 170 – Elementary Statistics Credits: 3 hrs
MATH 382 – Technology in the Mathematics Classroom Credits: 3 hrs
MATH 401 – Mathematics and Its History for Elementary Teachers Credits: 3 hrs
Professional Studies: 59 hours
Pre-Admission phase: The Learner and the Community: 8 hours
EDPS 322 – Human Development and Learning Credits: 4 hrs
FETE 201 – Field Experience I Credits: 1 hr
SPGN 251 – Education of Students with Exceptionalities Credits: 3 hrs
The following courses require formal admission to the teacher education program:
Phase I: Technology, Diversity and Teaching Environments: 8 hours

May be taken with Phase II courses.
HLED 320 – Health Education in the Elementary Grades Credits: 2 hrs
SOFD 328 – Schools in a Multicultural Society Credits: 3 hrs
TEDU 253 – Technology Education for Children Credits: 3 hrs
Phase II: Curriculum and Assessment: 10 hours

May be taken with Phase I courses.
CURR 304 – Curriculum and Methods: Elementary Credits: 3 hrs
EDPS 340 – Introduction to Assessment and Evaluation Credits: 3 hrs
FETE 301 – Field Experience II:Elementary Credits: 1 hr
RDNG 300 – Early Literacy Credits: 3 hrs
Phase III: Methods and Technology: 10 hours

May be taken with Phase IV courses.
BIOL 303 – Life Science for Elementary Teachers Credits: 3 hrs
EDMT 330 – Instructional Applications of Media and Technology Credits: 2 hrs
MATH 381 – The Teaching of Mathematics, K-6 Credits: 3 hrs
PHED 257 – Physical Education for the Classroom Teacher Credits: 2 hrs
Phase IV: Literacy, Culture and the Arts: 11 hours

May be taken with Phase III courses.
ART 300 – Art Integration for the Elementary Teacher Credits: 4 hrs
FETE 401 – Field Experience III:Elementary Credits: 1 hr
MUSC 320 – Elementary Music Education Credits: 3 hrs
RDNG 310 – Literacy Across the Curriculum in the Intermediate Grades Credits: 3 hrs
Phase V: Capstone Experience: 12 hours
EDUC 492 – Student Teaching Credits: 12 hrs
Program Total: 147-148 hours

it from the Arts & Sciences
major. No certification is awarded with the B.A. Students desiring to go
on to Masters in Education with Initial Certification must apply to The
Graduate School and apply to the Secondary Mathematics Program Faculty
in the spring of their senior year.
To receive the B.A. degree, students must: (1) complete the University
Studies Program; (2) complete at least 128 semester hours; (3) complete
the secondary mathematics major and a university-approved minor; (4)
attain a grade-point average of at least 2.50 overall and in the chosen major/
minor/support areas; and (5) complete 100 hours of fieldwork with
adolescents through the required three hour course:
EDC 362 Field Experiences in Secondary Education ……………………….. 3
The certification program in secondary mathematics education, grades
8-12, extends and enhances the conceptual framework of the College of
Education by providing the opportunities and experiences necessary for
beginning teachers to reflect on the perspective of the schools and the
profession. Indeed, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
(NCTM), the principal professional organization for the mathematics education
program, has for the past decade promoted teaching that fosters the
development of students’ abilities to explore, conjecture, and reason
logically, as well as the ability to use a variety of mathematical methods to
solve non-routine problems. Teaching to meet this goal requires a great deal
of reflective decision making, because what students learn depends to a
large extent on how it has been learned. This certification program strives
to blend the learning of mathematics with the learning of pedagogy.
Continuous Assessment
1. All secondary education majors must be admitted to advanced
standing after completing 60 hours. Advanced standing requires (a) 2.50
minimum GPA overall, and (b) review by a program faculty advisor for
secondary mathematics education.
2. Because certification occurs through the Masters in Education
including certification (MIC), students should be aware that they will need to
be formally admitted to the MIC program. Admission/Retention/Exit regulations
for all teacher certification programs are specified in the section
“Admission, Retention and Exit from Teacher Education Programs” on page
172 of the 2008-2009 UK Bulletin.
3. Oral and written communication skills of applicants for the MIC
program in mathematics education will be assessed at the time of the
interview, and through the entrance portfolio.
4. At exit from the secondary mathematics education major, grades 8-
12, students will:
a. demonstrate understanding of mathematical concepts and procedures
and the connections among them;
b. use multiple representations of mathematical concepts and procedures;
c. reason mathematically and solve mathematical problems;
d. communicate mathematics effectively at different levels of formality;
and
e. use historical, cultural, and contemporary perspectives in mathematics
discourse.
Statement on Student Teaching
There is no student teaching required for completion of the secondary
mathematics education, grades 8-12, major. Student teaching occurs as
part of the Masters in Education with certification.
University Studies Requirements
University Studies may be met by following the courses listed in the
University Studies section of the 2008-2009 UK Bulletin, with the exception
that PSY 100 (Introduction to Psychology) must be taken in the social
sciences component, and MA 113 is also required.
Program Related Studies (15 hours)
EDC 362 Field Experiences in Secondary Education ………………………. 3
CS 101 Introduction to Computing I ……………………………………………….. 3
STA 291 Statistical Method …………………………………………………………… 3
EDC 421 Survey of Secondary Mathematics Curriculum ………………….. 3
Natural Science (choose one course in an area different
from the USP requirement) …………………………………………………………. 3