Mathematics and Special Education Certification, B.S.

Students completing this dual certification program are eligible to teach in both a mathematics classroom and a special education classroom thereby broadening their job prospects and distinguishing them from the general student population. In addition, as a traditional classroom math teacher, graduates would have the training necessary for effectively dealing with classes in which high numbers of students have Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

A serious national shortage of mathematics (grades 7-12) and special education (Pre-K-12) teachers exists; by 2020 this shortage is expected to reach a critical level, especially in mathematics and science. (U.S. Department of Education, March 2015, Teacher Shortage Areas Nationwide Listing). Dual certification will cultivate a new creative student audience filling the state-wide deficit of students situated to excel in special education mathematics classrooms further fulfilling the growing workforce needs.

Concentrations

Currently there are four pre-approved concentrations: applied math, statistics, secondary education certification in mathematics, or a dual certification in mathematics and special education. A course of study without concentration is also available. The concentrations allow for a student to complete either a minor or second major in a related discipline or a series of allied electives to explore how mathematics can be applied to other disciplines.

Allied Electives

In general, allied electives are courses numbered 300 or above from ACCT, BIOL, CHEM, CMSC, CMPE, ECON, ESSC, FINA, ITAN, MATH, PHYS, SCMG, or SWEN. Other courses will be considered by the department chair on a case-by-case basis. Students not in the Secondary Certification concentration must complete three allied electives, at least one of which must be from disciplines other than MATH. This requirement is waived for students completing a minor or second major.

Core Courses (25-26 crs.)

Secondary Education Certification (42 crs.)

MATH 326 - Mathematical Modeling Credits: 3
MATH 333 - Geometry Credits: 3
MATH 400 - History of Mathematics Credits: 3
MAT 400 level Elective
SPEE 483 - Assessing Children with Exceptionalities for Curricular Decision-Making Credits: 3
TEED 207 - Organizational and Psychological Foundations in Secondary Education Credits: 3
READ 413 - Teaching Reading to English Language Learners Credits: 3
EDFN 371 - Technology in the Mathematics Classroom Credits: 3
EDFN 434 - Teaching of Mathematics in the Secondary Schools I Credits: 3
EDFN 435 - Teaching of Mathematics in the Secondary Schools II Credits: 3
EDFN 495 - Student Teaching Credits: 6-15
(Mathematics Secondary Certification Students will take 12 crs. of EDFN 495 )

Two seperate placements - one Math, one Special Education

Note:

Students seeking certification in secondary education must also complete 1 writing course (ENGL 114 or ENGL 115 ) and 1 literature course (ENGL 190 , ENGL 243 , ENGL 248 , or ENGL 250 ).

Special Education Courses (21 crs.)

General Education

General Education Requirements

General Education Program

General Education Requirements Specific for this major:

Quantitative (Q): MATH 211
Diversity (D): SPEE 273
Critical Reasoning (R): MATH 225
Technology (T): CMSC 104 OR Students can take CMSC 110 , which will count for the major.