Master of Mathematics Education at Towson University

Degree: Master of Science
https://www.towson.edu/fcsm/departments/mathematics/grad/education/

Program Director: Diana Cheng
Phone: 410-704-2086
Email: [email protected]

The Master of Science in Mathematics Education program at Towson University provides mathematics teachers with advanced study in mathematics, mathematics education and general education. The program offers teachers additional experience in higher-level mathematics to enhance their teaching with additional depth and breadth of content. At the same time, it strengthens their backgrounds in the school mathematics curriculum, instructional practices, assessment and technology. It also provides them a relevant way of satisfying their in-service requirements for professional advancement.

The program offers two tracks: Secondary School and Middle School. Both tracks require students to take four courses in Mathematics Education (with a focus on pedagogy, integration of technology, and the context of school mathematics), three general education electives, and five mathematics content courses. The two tracks differ primarily in the content focus and level of the mathematics courses. The program was designed with on-the-job teachers in mind, with part-time studies in the evenings and summers available; however, full-time students are also welcome.

Secondary School Track

The Secondary School Track is aimed at current secondary mathematics teachers. Students in this track take mathematics courses to extend their knowledge beyond a bachelor's degree in secondary mathematics, giving them access to powerful mathematics ideas to take into the classroom.  

It is expected that graduates of this program will become leaders in mathematics education as master teachers, curriculum developers, mathematics supervisors and other positions that improve the teaching of mathematics in secondary schools. The special strength of this program is the opportunity to study higher mathematics content without leaving the field of school mathematics. 

Middle School Track

The Middle School Track is designed to target current and future middle school mathematics teachers who are elementary or middle school certified. Students in this program will broaden and deepen their mathematical content knowledge through courses that target the conceptual ideas of middle school mathematics and beyond.  

It is expected that graduates of this program will become leaders in mathematics education in positions that improve the teaching of mathematics in middle schools. The particular benefit of this track is the opportunity to learn mathematics concepts and skills that are meaningful and applicable for classroom teachers in grades 3-8. Professors will model best practices in instructional techniques to enhance students' learning of both mathematics and pedagogical skills.  

1. Students exiting the graduate program should have an adequate knowledge of mathematical content in Algebra.
2. Students exiting the graduate program should have an adequate knowledge of mathematical content in Geometry.
3. Students exiting the graduate program should have an adequate knowledge of mathematical content in Calculus and Analysis.
4. Students exiting the graduate program should have an adequate knowledge of mathematical content in Probability and Statistics.
5. Students exiting the graduate program should have an adequate knowledge of mathematics education principles and standards and be able to communicate those principles in oral and written form. Students should be able to plan a lesson using these principals and standards.
6. Students exiting the graduate program should possess a broad knowledge of recent teaching methodologies and pedagogical issues in mathematics education and be able to communicate them in oral and written form.
7. Students should become familiar with appropriate instructional technology in mathematics and mathematics education and be able to use it properly in their own classrooms or in their research of mathematics education.