This major partially satisfies the criteria for a teaching endorsement in middle-level mathematics (4-9), qualifying students to teach mathematics at the middle school or junior high levels. Students are encouraged to seek a second major or minor in an approved area. The coursework provides experiences in mathematics content and pedagogy. The major addresses the recommendations from the Mathematical Association of America, the American Mathematical Society, and the Washington State competencies for middle level math teachers. This major contains both a teacher certification option and a non-certification option.
The certification option for this major requires completion of all Teacher Certification and Professional Education Program requirements. The STEM Teaching Program serves as an alternative to the Professional Education Program. Students who successfully complete the mathematics: middle-level education, BA and an approved teacher preparation program are eligible to apply for Washington State teacher certification. Teacher certification candidates must receive a C grade or higher in all major and minor courses, have a GPA of at least 3.0 for either the last 45 graded quarter credits or overall CWU/transfer cumulative, and meet all Washington State teacher certification requirements.
For the non-certification option, students are required to complete either a second major or a minor (such as the STEM education foundations minor) to earn a degree.
See the middle level mathematics teaching advisor as soon as possible to develop a course of study.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the mathematics: middle-level education BA will be considered after a student has successfully completed MATH 130 and MATH 154, earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and earned a C or higher in any course required for the Mathematics: Middle-Level Education BA (including prerequisite courses). Students pursuing the Teacher Certification option must be admitted into the Teacher Certification program and must have earned a C or higher in all courses taken in the approved Teacher Certification program.
Graduation Requirements
For the certification option, students must complete all courses in the major and an approved Teacher Certification and Professional Education Program (which may be the STEM Teaching Program) with a C or higher in each course and have a GPA of at least 3.0 for either the last 45 graded quarter credits or overall CWU/transfer cumulative
For the non-certification option, students must complete all courses in the major and in the second major or minor with a C or higher and have a GPA of at least 3.0 for either the last 45 graded quarter credits or overall CWU/transfer cumulative.
Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning skills, including logical reasoning, pattern recognition, generalization, abstraction, and formal proof;
- communicate mathematical ideas orally and in writing, with precision, clarity and organization, using proper terminology and notation;
- acquire proficiency in the use of technology to assist in investigating mathematical concepts, problem-solving and making strong pedagogical choices;
- apply knowledge of content and mathematical procedures to write lessons and activities to engage learners in interactive, hands-on discovery learning;
- acquire conceptual understanding and procedural fluency of concepts in numbers and operations, proportional reasoning, algebra, discrete mathematics, calculus, geometry, probability, and statistics;
- apply your knowledge of middle level mathematics to real word problem solving; and
- recognize common misconceptions and analyze student thinking and use the results to inform instruction.