Degrees & Programs

Master of Arts, M.A.
Elementary Mathematics Specialist Endorsement

This variation of the Education Strand of the Master of Arts degree in Teaching and Teacher Education meets the requirements of the Elementary Mathematics Specialist Endorsement granted by the Arizona Department of Education for teachers who are currently certified in elementary education or special education. Students take the 9 units of college and major core courses required of all TTE majors. The 18 units of mathematics and mathematics education courses required for the endorsement are part of the Supporting Coursework for the degree.

Admission

A B.A. degree in education or a related field from an accredited four-year institution.

GPA of 3.0 figured on the last 60 units with defined exceptions on a provisional basis. Provisional admission may be made to applicants who meet all criteria, but fall between 2.5 and 3.0 in their GPA.

15 units of previous coursework within preservice education.

A student information form that includes an adequate writing sample.

One year of teaching in a full-time instructional position within a school setting. Student teaching can count as an instructional experience. Students may meet with Dr. Erin Turner, mathematics education specialist advisor in TTE, to clarify exceptions to the above entrance requirements. These allow admittance on a provisional basis, but provisional admittance may extend the minimal unit requirements for completion of the degree.

Curriculum

Required minimum of 33 units of graduate courses

College Core (3 units):

TTE 596c (Replaces EDUC 500)
Introduction to Educational Research

Major Core (6 units):

TTE 539
Recent Research on Teaching and Schooling

TTE 545
Curriculum Theory and Policy

Supporting Coursework (24 units)

a. The following TTE mathematics education courses are required (9 units):

TTE 521
The School Curriculum: Mathematics

TTE 524
Curriculum Issues and Practices: Mathematics

TTE 532
Math Diagnosis and Remediation

b. Three of the following 3-unit courses offered by the Mathematics Department are required (9 units):

MATH 500
History of Mathematics for Elementary School

MATH 501
Arithmetic and Number Theory through Problem Solving

MATH 506
Geometry for Elementary School

MATH 510
Algebra for Elementary School Functions

MATH 560
Probability and Statistics for Elementary School through Activities and Games

c. Electives: 6 additional graduate credits to be approved in advance by an assigned advisor.

Supervised Field Experience (6 units)

TTE 593
Internship (6 units)
Required of students who do not have at least 2 years of teaching experience by the completion of the MA degree. These units are beyond the minimal 33 required units.

Thesis Option (4 units)

TTE 910
Thesis
A thesis is optional. If selected it can be applied to Electives above.

Portfolio

The student begins a portfolio before completing the 12th graduate unit and maintains it throughout the degree program. A 2-person committee supervises the portfolio.

Exit Requirement

Oral Defense of Thesis - The oral defense of the master's thesis constitutes the exit requirement for those students who take this thesis option.

Comprehensive Examination - All students not completing the thesis option must take a comprehensive examination. The master's examination has two parts :
Part I consists of four questions, two related to each of the major core courses. Students are required to respond to one question related to each course.
Part II consists of responding to two of four questions that test the content of the six mathematics and mathematics education courses.

For More Information Contact

College of Education
P.O. Box 210069
Tucson, AZ 85721-0069