Coordinator: Melissa R. Edwards
Location: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Program Description
The program of study in Mathematics with a track in Mathematics Education consists of four curricular components: freshman seminar and general education, the content courses, the professional studies core, and content pedagogy (methods and internship). Upon successful completion of the program and related requirements, graduates are eligible for an initial license to teach in the State of North Carolina. The NC Department of Public Instruction issues the teaching license based on University recommendation.
Mathematics majors with a track in Mathematics Education are subject to Educator Preparation Program regulations, admission requirements, continuation requirements, and graduation requirements.
The Mathematics licensure program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instructions.
Program Standards
The Educator Preparation Program standards for all education majors are described fully in the UNCP Educator Preparation Handbook.
Program Goals and Objectives
The Mathematics licensure program recognizes that teaching mathematics is a complex endeavor. Pre-service teachers of mathematics need to be involved in developing their knowledge, skills, understandings, and dispositions to teach mathematics to diverse learners. The goal of the Mathematics Education program is to prepare effective and professional mathematics teachers who are ready to make positive contributions to the mathematical development of middle and high school students in diverse settings. To accomplish this goal, the Mathematics Education program will
- provide students with a solid foundation and understanding of mathematics.
- enable students to appreciate both the aesthetic and practical aspects of mathematics.
- provide experiences that will help students see that they will need to have a variety of teaching and learning strategies available at all times.
- provide students with current theories regarding the psychological development of the learner and an understanding of human dynamics found in the home, the school, and the community.
- demonstrate methods of evaluating student learning, textbooks, the curriculum, educational techniques, and the educational process as a whole.
- prepare students to deal with a diverse population that has a broad spectrum of needs, aspirations, and expectations for themselves and others.
- provide a consideration of societal needs that are satisfied by applications of and careers based on mathematics and technology.
- stress the importance to a teaching professional of keeping abreast of current trends in mathematics education through the reading of professional journals and participation in mathematics workshops, institutes, conferences, professional meeting and in-service programs.
The specific objectives supporting each goal are described fully in the Teacher Education Student Handbook.