Master of Arts in Math Education

Welcome

Download a program brochure Download a printer friendly packet

Welcome to eMath, a program designed for busy teachers who wish to broaden their knowledge of the mathematics that relates to what they teach.  This program leads to a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics, but its courses are also useful to those who need graduate mathematics hours for other reasons.  Some eMath students are seeking mathematics courses that will allow them to teach as an adjunct at a two-year or four-year college.  Others are seeking courses that will take them to the next rank for salary purposes.  What all eMath students have in common is that they want to continue their study of mathematics in a way that recognizes their busy lifestyles. The “e” in eMath means that all required courses are available electronically via the Internet. Assignments are submitted electronically and tests are administered at sites near you.

Admission Requirements

Application and all supporting materials (i.e., transcripts, GRE scores, teaching certificate) need to be received in Graduate Studies by the dates listed below to ensure adequate time for departmental review. Applicants can apply online at www.wku.edu/graduate, or may download a printable application.

Application Deadlines
Fall Semester: June 15
Spring Semester: November 15
Summer Term: Contact Department

Please note: To be eligible for any type of financial aid or a graduate assistantship, you must be admitted in good standing to a degree program. Non-degree seeking students are ineligible for financial aid and graduate assistantships.

Applicants for the M.A. in Math must meet WKU’s GAP score requirements for entry into graduate school (3500 if GRE was taken on or before September 30, 2002 or 3000 if GRE was taken on or after October 1, 2002).

In addition, applicants must have secondary teacher certification and either
a bachelors degree in mathematics or completion of the following undergraduate courses:

• a calculus sequence through multivariable calculus
•  linear algebra
• discrete mathematics
• probability or calculus-based statistics
• abstract algebra
• geometry

Applicants without a bachelors degree in mathematics may be admitted if they only lack one course from the courses listed in item 2 above and will have to complete the deficiency in addition to program requirements.

Standardized Examination Scores
All degree-seeking students must submit appropriate standardized test scores regardless of their undergraduate grade point average. Standardized test scores must be received by the Office of Graduate Studies prior to admission. The admission decision will be based upon both the transcript grade point average and the test score. Registration materials for the GRE are available by logging on to www.gre.org.

Admission decisions are based upon both the undergraduate grade point average and the GRE General Test score. The GAP score is the product of the GRE score x the overall undergraduate grade point average. For example, a GRE score of 1200 and a grade average of 2.75/4.0 would produce a GAP score of 3300. Since GAP is a product of both GRE and grade point average, both the GRE and transcript record are essential for making an admission decision. GAP score requirements for general admission to Graduate Studies (individual degree programs may be higher) are as follows:

If test was taken before 9/30/2002, a score of 3500 is required.
If test was taken after 10/01/2002, a score of 3000 is required.

Program Requirements

The M.A. in Math requires a minimum of 30 hours of graduate-level courses including the following:

Mathematics (four of the five following courses)

• Math 501  Introduction to Probability and Statistics I
• Math 503 Introduction to Analysis
• Math 511 Secondary Mathematics from an Advanced Perspective I
• Math 512 Secondary Mathematics from an Advanced Perspective II 
  • or Math 423G Geometry II
  • or Math 523 Topics from Geometry
• Math 514  Modeling and Applications for Secondary Teachers

Education Courses

• PSY 510 Advanced Educational Psychology
  • or PSY 511 Psychology of Learning
• SEC 580 The Curriculum
• EDU 544 Classroom Teaching Strategies
• SEC 534 Seminar in Mathematics Education

Elective Courses
Six hours of mathematics courses chosen from those listed above or MATH 405G, 406G, 409G, 415G, 421G, 423G, 429G, 431G, 432G, 435G, 439G, 450G, 470G, 475G, 500, 504, 509, 517, 531, 532, 535, 536, 539, 540, 541, 542, 550, 560, 590, 599.

Comprehensive examinations are required. Students also must develop and submit a professional portfolio to demonstrate mastery of the Kentucky Experienced Teacher Standards. As part of that portfolio, a teaching component (in a secondary school, as a graduate teaching assistant, or in another approved setting) of at least one semester is required. Employment as a classroom teacher will suffice for this requirement.

Department Contact Information

Dr. Wanda Weidemann
Dept. of Mathematics, WKU
1906 College Heights Blvd., #11078
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1078

Telephone: 270-745-6211
Fax: 270-745-3699
Email: wanda.weidemann@wku.edu
Web: http://www.wku.edu/emath/index.htm