MST in Mathematics
Admission Requirements
Transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate work must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
- Baccalaureate Field (Elementary School Option) Mathematics or a related field.
- Baccalaureate Field (Secondary School Option) Mathematics or a related field that includes three semesters of calculus plus two courses from the following:
- Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study, and an average of 3.00 in all mathematics courses beyond calculus.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL iBT 100, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
- IELTS Academic 7.0, with 7.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
- PTE-Academic 68, with subscores of Reading 66, Listening 66, Speaking 66, and Writing 66.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic work.
- Personal Statement Required.
- Other Requirements Applicants for the Elementary School Option must hold a valid K–8 Illinois Teaching License or the equivalent.
Degree Requirements
Elementary School Option
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
-
Minimum Semester Hours 36 hours. At least 12 hours of coursework must be at the 500 level, excluding independent study.
-
Coursework
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| Concepts and Methods in Elementary and Middle School Mathematics I | ||
| Teaching Algebra for Understanding | ||
| Introduction to Calculus and the Graphing Calculator | ||
| Introduction to Number Theory with Application | ||
| Geometry with Applications for Middle Grade Teachers | ||
Electives must be approved by the Office of Mathematics Education, and other courses may be substituted with the permission of the Office of Mathematics Eduction. | ||
Secondary School Option
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
- Minimum Semester Hours: 32 hours. At least 12 hours of coursework must be at the 500 level, excluding independent study.
- Coursework
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Advanced Euclidean Geometry | ||
| Abstract Algebra | ||
or MATH 435 | Foundations of Number Theory | |
| Complex Analysis with Applications | ||
| Introduction to Probability | ||
The remaining courses must be approved by the Office of Mathematics Education, and other courses may be substituted with the permission of the Office of Mathematics Education. | ||
Other Requirements
-
Comprehensive Examination None.
-
Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options Coursework only. No other options are available.
-
Additional Requirements for Secondary Teacher Licensure Students who wish to seek teacher licensure must take additional courses in the College of Education and complete student teaching to be eligible for state licensure. Such students are also more restricted in their choices of courses. Courses should be selected in consultation with an advisor. Contact the department for the current requirements. At the time of this writing, in addition to the MST requirements, students seeking licensure must complete:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses for Secondary Teacher Licensure | ||
| Methods of Teaching Secondary Mathematics I | ||
| Methods of Teaching Secondary Mathematics II | ||
| Educational Practice with Seminar I and Educational Practice with Seminar II | ||
| Education Courses | ||
| Philosophy of Education and Urban School Policy | ||
or ED 403 | Policy Issues in the History of American Education | |
| Adolescence and the Schools | ||
or ED 421 | Advanced Educational Psychology | |
| Secondary Literacy | ||
| Exceptional Learners | ||
| Instruction and Assessment in the Urban Secondary Classroom | ||
- The teaching license is not automatically awarded upon successful completion of degree and licensure requirements. For more information on application procedures for the teaching license, contact the Council on Teacher Education.