About

Are you ready to take the next step as a mathematics teacher? Can you picture yourself becoming a leader among your fellow mathematics teachers?

The master of arts in education in mathematics education has something for the mathematics teacher at any level. Students may choose to concentrate at the elementary, middle school, or high school level. Regardless of the level, students take mathematics courses designed for that particular concentration level as well as courses beyond the concentration level. Students in the elementary concentration add mathematics to their elementary license and also add masters-level middle grades mathematics. Students in the middle school and high school concentrations also add masters-level licensure at their level.

Elementary mathematics and middle school mathematics programs are offered in a totally distance education format. The high-school concentration is offered in conjunction with the Department of Mathematics, and although the mathematics courses are offered on campus, all other course work is done in an online format. With several new faculty hires, the mathematics area boasts a large and talented group of professionals, with a blend of new and experienced professors.

The 36-hour MAEd is typically completed in two years by part-time graduate students who are full-time teachers, but can be done at a slower pace for those with extremely hectic schedules. Faculty work hard to help students develop into a professional network of mathematics educators. Many program graduates use the master's degree work as a springboard to National Board Certification.

ECU Advantage

ECU boasts the only MAEd in mathematics education in the state with concentrations for elementary, middle school, and high-school mathematics. This newly revised program offers a number of attractive features for the busy professional. It is designed to be done as a part-time student while teaching full-time.

Specific mathematics education courses are offered online during the academic year while MAEd students are teaching their K-12 students. This allows the program to use the classroom as a laboratory for testing ideas, for piloting national and international assessment items, and for performing action research. Further, these online courses allow the graduate student to realize significant cost savings, transportation costs and on-campus student fees are eliminated, providing the student a much more economical degree program.

What You Will Study

MSITE Director of Students: Ron Preston (352-E Flanagan Building; 252-328-9355; prestonr@ecu.edu) Program Coordinator: Charity Cayton (369-A Flanagan Building; 252-328-9683; caytonc@ecu.edu)

The Mathematics Education, MAEd is designed for a teacher whose primary teaching assignment is in K-12 mathematics. The degree consists of three concentrations: elementary, middle school, and high school. For each graduate student, the selection of a concentration will be made in consultation with a mathematics education advisor and will be based on a student's prior education and future career plans.

The program requires a minimum of 36 s.h. as follows:

1. Common core - 15 s.h.
  • EDUC 6001 - Introduction to Differences in Human Learning in Schools

  • MATE 6200 - Mathematics Assessment for the Classroom Teacher OR
  • MATE 6062 - Geometry and Spatial Visualization: K-5 Assessment *

  • MATE 6206 - Leadership in Mathematics Education OR
  • MATE 6063 - Mathematical Modeling: K-5 Leadership *

  • MATE 6211 - Research in Mathematics Education
  • MATE 6400 - Capstone Project in Mathematics Education
  • Note:

    * Students who wish to obtain the elementary mathematics education specialist certificate must take MATE 6062 and MATE 6063.

    2. Concentration areas - 21 s.h.

    (Select one of the following concentrations.)

      a. Elementary concentration (Grades K-6) - 21 s.h.
        Mathematics for K-6 teachers - 12 s.h.

        Students will take the following four courses to develop expertise in grades K-6 mathematics.

        • MATE 6058 - Number Systems and Operations: K-5 Mathematical Tasks
        • MATE 6059 - Rational Numbers and Operations: K-5 Learning Trajectories
        • MATE 6060 - Data Analysis and Measurement: K-5 Classroom Interactions
        • MATE 6061 - Algebraic Reasoning: K-5 Discourse and Questioning
        Mathematics for K-12 teachers - 9 s.h.

        Students will take three courses to develop a broader view of K-12 mathematics. At least one course should come from the list below. The other two courses may be from this list or from courses in the list of MATH courses in the Mathematics for 9-12 Teachers section. 

        • MATE 6331 - Reasoning with Number and Algebra
        • MATE 6341 - Teaching and Learning of Geometry
        • MATE 6351 - Data Analysis and Probability in the Middle Grades
        • MATE 6361 - Measurement Across the Curriculum
        • MATE 6371 - Teaching and Learning of Algebra
      b. Middle school concentration (Grades 6-9) - 21 s.h.
        Mathematics for 6-9 teachers - 12 s.h.

        Students will take four of the following courses to develop expertise in grades 6-9 mathematics. Additional courses may be acceptable. Please consult with your advisor.

        • MATE 6331 - Reasoning with Number and Algebra
        • MATE 6341 - Teaching and Learning of Geometry
        • MATE 6351 - Data Analysis and Probability in the Middle Grades
        • MATE 6361 - Measurement Across the Curriculum
        • MATE 6371 - Teaching and Learning of Algebra
        • MATE 6391 - Teaching with Mathematical Modeling
        Mathematics for K-12 teachers - 9 s.h.

        Students will take three of the following courses to develop a broader view of K-12 mathematics. Other courses might be acceptable. Please consult with your advisor:

        • MATE 6058 - Number Systems and Operations: K-5 Mathematical Tasks
        • MATE 6059 - Rational Numbers and Operations: K-5 Learning Trajectories
        • MATE 6060 - Data Analysis and Measurement: K-5 Classroom Interactions
        • MATE 6061 - Algebraic Reasoning: K-5 Discourse and Questioning
        • MATE 6062 - Geometry and Spatial Visualization: K-5 Assessment
        • MATE 6063 - Mathematical Modeling: K-5 Leadership
        • MATE 6223 - Current Topics in Mathematics Education
        • MATE 6265 - Technology in Mathematics Education
        • MATE 6321 - Advanced Middle-Level Mathematics Methods
        • MATE 6331 - Reasoning with Number and Algebra
        • MATE 6341 - Teaching and Learning of Geometry
        • MATE 6351 - Data Analysis and Probability in the Middle Grades
        • MATE 6361 - Measurement Across the Curriculum
        • MATE 6371 - Teaching and Learning of Algebra
        • MATE 6391 - Teaching with Mathematical Modeling
      c. High school concentration (Grade 9–12) - 21 s.h.
        Mathematics for 9-12 teachers - 12 s.h.

        Students will take four of the following courses. Other courses might be acceptable. Please consult with your advisor:

        • MATH 5002 - Logic for Mathematics and Computer Science
        • MATH 5021 - Theory of Numbers I
        • MATH 5031 - Applied Regression Analysis
        • MATH 5064 - Introduction to Modern Algebra II
        • MATH 5101 - Advanced Calculus I
        • MATH 5102 - Advanced Calculus II
        • MATH 5110 - Elementary Complex Variables
        • MATH 5121 - Numerical Analysis in One Variable
        • MATH 5131 - Deterministic Methods in Operations Research
        • MATH 5322 - Foundations of Mathematics
        • MATH 5551 - The Historical Development of Mathematics
        • MATH 5581 - Theory of Equations
        • MATH 6001 - Advanced Linear Algebra
        • MATH 6150 - Graph Theory
        • MATH 6651 - Introduction to Topology
        Mathematics for K-12 teachers - 9 s.h.

        Students will take three courses to develop a broader view of K-12 mathematics. At least one course should come from the list below. The other two may be from this list or from courses in the list of MATH courses in Mathematics for 9-12 teachers section. 

        • MATE 6223 - Current Topics in Mathematics Education
        • MATE 6265 - Technology in Mathematics Education
        • MATE 6323 - Issues and Trends in Mathematics Education
        • MATE 6331 - Reasoning with Number and Algebra
        • MATE 6341 - Teaching and Learning of Geometry
        • MATE 6351 - Data Analysis and Probability in the Middle Grades
        • MATE 6361 - Measurement Across the Curriculum
        • MATE 6371 - Teaching and Learning of Algebra
        • MATE 6391 - Teaching with Mathematical Modeling
    3. Required culminating project experience

    Students will select one of the following culminating project experiences.

      a. Capstone experience:

      The capstone experience (MATE 6400) will consist of an action research project and assignments modeled on the National Board Professional Teaching Standards portfolio. This will allow graduate students to show knowledge of and skills in the use of appropriate materials, pedagogy, and technology in mathematics education.

        b. School-based experience:

        Teaching experience at the K-12 level is not mandatory for admittance to the MAEd program. However, for the graduate student not teaching at the pre-college level, some of the course work will require a practicum with an approved school.

        For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.