Northern Arizona University

• Home / Contact Us
• Undergraduate Degree Programs
• Graduate Degree Programs
• Student Information
• Course Listings
• Department Directory
• Employment
• Research Interests
• Department Activities
  
• Facilities
• Mathematics Links
• Wolfram Mathematica
  

Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS for ADMISSION

For regular admission to a graduate program in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, a student must meet the specific requirements of that program. Students who do not meet the regular admission requirements may be admitted on a provisional basis.

For the M.A.T. program in mathematics, a candidate must have completed at least 23 semester hours of undergraduate mathematics coursework at the level of calculus and above with a grade of C or better, and have at least a 3.0 grade point average in these courses. These 23 semester hours cannot include the teaching methods courses (such as MAT 301, 302, 401, 402) and must include Calculus II (MAT 137), Applied Statistics (STA 270), Foundations of Mathematics (MAT 320W), and at least 9 hours of upper division coursework (including MAT 320W). It is recommended that the 23 hours include Modern Geometry (MAT 365), Abstract Algebra (MAT 411) and Introduction to Analysis (MAT 431).

M.A.T. in Mathematics

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Mathematics (M.A.T.) degree is a 36 credit hour program of study that emphasizes the connections between middle grades, high school, and college level mathematics content along with effective pedagogy and reflective practice.  Most of the program of study is available via distance learning.  It should be noted, however, that one of the required courses, MAT 500, is designed to be a hybrid course with collaborative face-to-face requirements.  Rural or out-of-state applicants are encouraged to discuss the unique requirements of this course in advance of program application.  Furthermore, all students must satisfactorily complete an on-campus (NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus) oral comprehensive exam in order to graduate from the program.

Degree Requirements:

This is a 36-hour program; you must

§  complete MAT 500, MAT 507, and MAT 602 (9 hours)

§  complete at least two of MAT 504, 505, and 506 (6-9 hours)

§  complete 9-12 hours of mathematics education courses from MAT 501, 502, 508, 509, and 601 (may be repeated for credit).

§  complete one course each chosen from:

        ECI 666, 675 or 696 (3 hours)

        EPS 591, 605 or 611 (3 hours)

        EDF 670, 671, 672 or MAT 501   (3 hours)

§   perform satisfactorily on a final oral exam conducted by your advisory committee on the NAU Flagstaff campus.

M.A.T. Program Course Descriptions*

MAT 500: Reflections on/in Mathematics Education. This course facilitates reflection regarding effective mathematics education and presents a powerful framework for collaboratively researching and revitalizing the mathematics teaching and learning.

MAT 501: History and Philosophy of Mathematics Education. Historical underpinnings of the field of mathematics education; identifying issues and forces which influence curricular and philosophical change in mathematics education.

MAT 502: Problem Solving Theory and Practice. Theoretical pedagogical aspects of problem solving; curricular materials, teaching strategies and evaluation techniques.

MAT 504: Connections – Algebra and Number Theory. This course will address the teaching and learning of the following content areas:  rings, fields and groups, arithmetic and congruence within the integers and isomorphisms. Prerequisite: MAT 320W: Foundations of Mathematics.

MAT 505: Connections – Calculus. This course will address the teaching and learning of the following content areas:  functions, sequences and series, limits, continuity, derivatives, integrals, introductory differential equations and introductory analysis in the real number system. Prerequisite: MAT 320W: Foundations of Mathematics.

MAT 506: Connections – Geometry. This course will address the teaching and learning of the following content areas:  axiomatic foundation of Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry, transformations, geometric applications of trigonometry, visualization, geometric modeling and graphs. Prerequisite: MAT 320W: Foundations of Mathematics.

MAT 507: Connections – Probability and Statistics. This course will address the teaching and learning of the following content areas:  collecting and displaying data, descriptive statistics, counting techniques, discrete and geometric probability, conditional probability, simulation, random variables, expected value and variance of a random variable, probability distributions, correlation, regression, and estimation. Prerequisite: MAT 137: Calculus II and STA 270: Intro to Statistics.

MAT 508: Technology in Mathematics Education. An examination of current technology used in secondary school mathematics; use of software packages to explore a variety of topics.

MAT 509: Assessment in Mathematics Education. MAT 509 utilizes recent mathematics education research and policy to facilitate reflection and action regarding effective and appropriate assessment. Students will gain insight into the theoretical and practical aspects of assessment and experience with creating and evaluating various types of assessment.

MAT 601: Seminar in Mathematics Education. Investigates special topics in mathematical education. (May be repeated for credit.)

MAT 602: Research in Mathematics Education. Research within the field of mathematics education; types of research and their contributions and limitations; articulation of research and classroom practice. Prerequisite: MAT 507or permission of instructor.

* Note that these courses do not count towards the M.S. degree.  

To apply for the program, please open the Graduate Programs page.

2007 - Spring 2010 Program Sheet (pdf) 
Fall 2010 - Present Program Sheet (pdf)

To see the M.A.T. course rotation schedule, please open and scroll to the bottom of the course rotation page.

For program information, please contact Dr. Jeff Hovermill via email at Jeff.Hovermill@nau.edu or by telephone at (928) 523-6897.