Mathematics Education: Secondary Education Option (B.S.)

Mathematics Education: Secondary Education Option (B.S.)
math student at the whiteboard

The Mathematics Education: Secondary Education major at UNH is tailored for aspiring high school math teachers, offering a robust foundation in mathematics paired with research-based teaching practices and insights into student learning. Here, you’ll benefit from direct collaboration between the mathematics and education departments and have the opportunity to enter the Accelerated Master’s Program, leading to New Hampshire teacher certification in just five years. You’ll engage with active professionals in mathematics, statistics, and education, gaining expertise in higher-level mathematics and teaching practices from middle school to high school. Small classes and diverse field-based experiences enhance your preparation for careers in teaching as well as curriculum development, educational software, and educational consulting.


What is the secondary option in mathematics education?

This program is tailored to students who want to teach mathematics at the high school level. It provides a strong foundation in mathematics with current pedagogical approaches and insightful study of student learning. Mathematics education students have the advantage of working directly within the mathematics department and coordinating with the education department to obtain New Hampshire teacher certification.

Why study mathematics education at UNH?

You’ll work alongside accomplished mathematicians, statisticians, and educators who are professionally active. You’ll gain an understanding of higher level mathematics, the mathematics taught in elementary and middle school classrooms, and the process of teaching mathematics.  You’ll have the opportunity to pursue an accelerated master’s degree leading to teacher certification in just five years. You’ll enjoy many small, specialized classes and a variety of field-based experiences. Our professors have won prestigious honors, including a Grammy Award and a MacArthur “genius” grant. This department has produced many winners of the prestigious Department of Defense SMART Scholarship.

Potential careers

  • Curriculum supervisor/developer
  • Educational software developer
  • Mathematics education consultant
  • Mathematics educator in government/research/academia
  • Mathematics teacher
  • Mathematics textbook writer/editor/publisher
Contact
  • mathematics education student Ashley Baker headshot
    Mathematics student takes her passion for teaching to the classroom
    Ashley Baker, who completed her undergraduate degree in Mathematics at UNH, is now completing her internship in a high school classroom in the area as she completes her accelerated master's program. Below, she speaks about her decision to pursue teaching and the benefits of being a student in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at UNH.
    Learn More
  • Mathematcs students working on math problems in the Mathematics Assistance Center
    Free Math Tutoring Offered to All UNH Students
    The Mathematics Assistance Center (MaC) offers free tutoring to all UNH students and also has paid position for student tutors.
    Learn More

Curriculum & Requirements

This professional degree program prepares students for teaching mathematics at the secondary level. The program is coordinated with the education department's teacher certification programs. Students may complete the degree requirements for the secondary option with full teacher certification in either four or five years.

Students electing the four-year option leading to secondary school certification must plan for one semester of student teaching in their senior year; this requires careful planning with your program adviser to accommodate the scheduling of required MATH courses.

The five-year program includes a year-long teaching internship in the fifth year. The internship requires admission into a UNH Department of Education graduate program that leads to certification. See Education, College of Liberal Arts.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
MATH 425 Calculus I 4
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
Discovery Course 4
Inquiry Course 4
MATH 400 Freshman Seminar 1
 Credits17
Spring
MATH 426 Calculus II 4
MATH 445
or CS 410P
or CS 410C
Mathematics and Applications with MATLAB
or Introduction to Scientific Programming/Python
or Introduction to Scientific Programming/C
4
Discovery Course 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
MATH 528 Multidimensional Calculus 4
MATH 531 Mathematical Proof 4
EDUC 500 Exploring Teaching 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
MATH 527 Differential Equations with Linear Algebra 4
MATH 545
or MATH 645
Introduction to Linear Algebra
or Linear Algebra for Applications
4
MATH 790 Historical Foundations of Mathematics 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
MATH 539 Introduction to Statistical Analysis 4
MATH 700 Introduction to Mathematics Education 4
MATH 760 Geometry 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
MATH 709 Teaching of Mathematics in Grades 6-12 4
MATH 761 Abstract Algebra 4
Discovery Course 4
Writing Intensive Course 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
MATH 797
or MATH 799
Senior Seminar
or Senior Thesis
4
EDUC 605 Educational Perspectives in Critical Times 4
Writing Intensive Course 4
Elective Course 3
 Credits15
Spring
MATH 624 Analysis of Secondary School Mathematics 4
EDUC 701 Human Development & Learning: Cultural Perspectives 4
Elective Course 4
Elective Course 4
 Credits16
 Total Credits128

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Requirements for admission to student teaching include receiving credit for EDUC 500 and a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA.

In all courses used to satisfy the requirements for its major programs, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics requires that a student earn a grade of C- or better and have an overall grade-point average of at least 2.00 in these courses.

For teacher licensure a grade of B- or better is required in all Education courses.

Required MATH Courses
MATH 425Calculus I4
MATH 426Calculus II4
MATH 445Mathematics and Applications with MATLAB4
or CS 410P Introduction to Scientific Programming/Python
or CS 410C Introduction to Scientific Programming/C
MATH 527Differential Equations with Linear Algebra4
MATH 528Multidimensional Calculus4
MATH 531Mathematical Proof4
MATH 539Introduction to Statistical Analysis4
MATH 545Introduction to Linear Algebra4
or MATH 645 Linear Algebra for Applications
MATH 624Analysis of Secondary School Mathematics4
MATH 700Introduction to Mathematics Education4
MATH 709Teaching of Mathematics in Grades 6-124
MATH 760Geometry4
MATH 761Abstract Algebra4
MATH 790Historical Foundations of Mathematics4
Capstone: Select one of the following
MATH 797Senior Seminar4
MATH 799Senior Thesis2 or 4
Other Required Courses
EDUC 500Exploring Teaching4
EDUC 605Educational Perspectives in Critical Times4
EDUC 701Human Development & Learning: Cultural Perspectives4
Total Credits74-76

Note: EDUC 751B Methods of Inclusive Secondary Education: Literacies, Learning, and Transitions is a requirement for certification and may be taken as an undergraduate.

Mathematics Concepts, Practices, and Curriculum. Well-prepared beginning teachers of mathematics:

  • Demonstrate robust knowledge of mathematical and statistical concepts that underlie what they encounter in teaching of K-8 or secondary mathematics.
  • Engage in appropriate mathematical and statistical practices, and use technological tools to solve mathematical problems, and incorporate educational technology in their teaching.
  • Analyze and interpret mathematical curricula, assessments, and standards documents.
  • Analyze and interpret students’ mathematical work.

Pedagogical Knowledge and Practices for Teaching Mathematics. Well-prepared beginning teachers of mathematics:

  • Demonstrate strong foundations of pedagogical knowledge, and effective and equitable mathematics teaching practices.
  • Construct instructional explanations, develop tasks, lesson plans and unit plans, that advance students’ mathematical understanding.
  • Recognize common patterns of student thinking related to particular mathematical topics, and articulate ways of supporting students’ mathematical thinking.

Productive dispositions. Well-prepared beginning teachers:

  • Demonstrate positive and productive dispositions toward mathematics as a discipline, towards students as learners of mathematics and towards teaching mathematics in ways that support students’ sense making, understanding, and reasoning.

Explore Program Details

Those interested in the Mathematics Education: Secondary Education Option major may also be interested in the following advanced degrees. Students in the program also have the opportunity to participate in the UNH accelerated master’s program.

Applied Mathematics M.S.

Mathematics M.S.

Mathematics M.S.T.

Statistics M.S.

Mathematics Ph.D.

Mathematics Education Ph.D.

Statistics Ph.D.

Integrated Applied Mathematics Ph.D.

Take the Next Step

undergraduate student in front of campus building
LEARN HOW TO APPLY
Students on the lawn at Thompson Hall
SCHEDULE A VISIT
student at career event
REQUEST INFORMATION