About

Are you passionate about the study of mathematics and want to motivate young people to be well prepared for a wide array of rewarding careers? Have you ever found that helping others to solve a problem or understand a mathematics concept or develop a mathematics skill is rewarding?

The bachelor of science in mathematics education prepares students to teach high-school mathematics, but graduates of the program are also qualified to teach middle-grades mathematics. Since high-school mathematics teaching positions have been the hardest to fill in North Carolina for the past several years, graduates of the program are in high demand. In addition, graduates perform an incredibly valuable service to students, in particular, and society, in general, by preparing them mathematically, opening opportunities for some of the best jobs available today.

Mathematics education majors get multiple opportunities to work with master mathematics teachers in the high school setting and profit from ECU's Clinical Schools Network. A large group of talented faculty members teach courses in laboratory settings with cutting-edge technology and provide both instructional and mentoring support for students. Classes in the major are small (both in mathematics and mathematics education), with students receiving considerable individual attention.

Many students complete a double major, adding mathematics to mathematics education, but students take advantage of other double major options as well as a wide variety of minor choices. Some students study abroad and others use their elective hours by selecting a range of interesting courses.

ECU Advantage

ECU's mathematics teacher preparation program is distinguished from most by its addition of pedagogical content courses that are coupled with the traditional mathematics and mathematics methods preparation. These applied mathematics courses treat high school mathematics curriculum in an advanced and connected manner, focusing on alternate solution strategies, multiple representations, and student misconceptions in the domain.

The mathematics education program has received several awards, as has its faculty, students, and alumni. While in the program, students are encouraged and supported to join local, state, and national mathematics teaching organizations and to attend professional development, including conferences. Through the direction of the local student-lead mathematics education organization and through the program courses, students engage in a number of mathematics activities outside the classroom.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Charity Cayton (369-A Flanagan Building; 252-328-9683; caytonc@ecu.edu)

Credit toward the degree will not be given in any MATH course with a grade less than C- (1.7) and in any MATE course or professional course with grade less than C (2.0). See College of Education for NC teacher licensure requirements.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education and special requirements for licensure including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • PSYC 1000 - Introductory Psychology

  • PSYC 2777 - Ethnocultural Psychology OR
  • SOCI 1010 - Race, Gender, Class
2. Core - 45 s.h.
  • MATE 1267 - Functional Relationships
  • MATE 2700 - Applications in Statistics and Probability
  • MATE 2800 - Discrete Mathematics: Explorations and Applications
  • MATE 3300 - Foundations of Geometry
  • MATE 3367 - Mathematical Modeling
  • MATH 2171 - Calculus I
  • MATH 2172 - Calculus II
  • MATH 2173 - Calculus III
  • MATH 2300 - Transition to Advanced Mathematics
  • MATH 3256 - Linear Algebra
  • MATH 3263 - Introduction to Modern Algebra
  • MATH 3307 - Mathematical Statistics I
  • MATH 3331 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
  • MATH 4101 - Advanced Calculus I
3. Professional courses - 24 s.h.
  • EDUC 4400 - Foundations of School Learning, Motivation, and Assessment OR
  • PSYC 4305 - Educational Psychology

  • MATE 2123 - Early Experiences for High School Mathematics Teaching
  • MATE 4001 - Technology in Secondary Mathematics Education
  • MATE 4324 - Internship in High School Mathematics
  • MATE 4325 - Seminar: Issues in High School Mathematics Internship
  • READ 3990 - Teaching Reading in the Content Areas in the Secondary School
  • SPED 4010 - Effective Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms
4. Specialty area - 6 s.h.
  • MATE 3523 - Teaching Topics in High School Mathematics
  • MATE 4323 - Teaching High School Mathematics
5. Electives to complete requirements for graduation.
    For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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