Mathematics Secondary Education | Mathematics and Statistics at TCNJ

Students take mathematics and professional courses that prepare them to meet the educational requirements for the New Jersey certificate to teach mathematics K–12. In their senior year, students participate in student-teaching experiences.

The Undergraduate Bulletin contains the official list of major requirements. However, students will meet all their requirements by completing the major requirements listed below and in the checklist, meeting the department’s retention and GPA requirements, and completing TCNJ’s College Core requirements. In order to be certified upon program completion, one must also have a 3.0 overall GPA, pass the Mathematics Praxis II exam, and pass the New Jersey TPA performance-based assessment. Below are additional program documents and other information about the programs. For more information, please contact your advisor or the mathematics education coordinator.

Accelerated options in urban secondary education and special secondary education, which lead to a master’s degree and the K–12 Mathematics certification, are available.

Mathematics Secondary Education Requirements (20 course units)

MAT 128: Calculus B (Prerequisite: Calculus A)
MAT 200: Proof Writing Through Discrete Mathematics
MAT 205: Linear Algebra
MAT 229: Multivariable Calculus
MAT 255: Perspectives on the Development of Mathematics
MAT 301: Number Theory
MAT 305: Abstract Algebra
MAT 310: Real Analysis, MAT 316: Probability, or MAT 326: Differential Equations
MAT 351: Geometry
MAT 497: Topics in Secondary Mathematics from an Advanced Viewpoint
EFN 299: Schools, Communities, & Culture
SED 224: Adolescent Learning and Development
SPE 103: Social & Legal Foundations of Special Education
MTT 380: Methods of Teaching Mathematics I

To move from pre-candidacy to candidacy in the secondary education program, you must meet the following conditions:
a) All candidates must earn a B- in EFN 299, SED 224, and SPE 103. Math majors must achieve a C- in MTT 380.
b) Meet the NJ Department of Education basic skills requirement, which can be fulfilled by the SAT, ACT, and Praxis Core Academic Skills

MTT 390: Methods of Teaching Mathematics II
SED 399: Pedagogy in Secondary Schools
RAL 328: Reading in Secondary Education

To move forward to Clinical Practice II in the program students must:
a) Achieve a minimum of B- in all courses in Clinical Practice I.
b) Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or obtain approval from the Program Coordinator)
c) Have taken the Praxis II
d) Have completed STA 216, MAT 301, MAT 351, and MAT 305 and all but at most 3 of their math major requirements.

MTT 490: Student Teaching in Mathematics (2 units)
SED 498: Collaborative Capstone for Professional Inquiry

To successfully complete the program and be recommended to the NJ Department of Education for certification, students must:
a) Earn a B- in SED 498 and B- in MTT 490
b) Pass the Praxis II
c) Maintain at least a GPA of 3.0
d) Pass New Jersey TPA

Option (1 course unit)
Students
complete an additional course unit by taking an MAT/STA course at the 300/400-level.

Correlates (3 course units)

CSC 220
STA 216
BIO 201, CHE 201, or PHY 201

College Core Requirements

Students must complete the following in their freshman year:

First Seminar (FYS)
First-year Community Engagement

Students must complete one course in each of the following areas:

Literary, Visual, or Performing Arts
Historical Perspectives

Students must complete a course or experience in each of the following areas. These may be from among the courses listed above; they need not be separate course units.

First-year Community Engagement
Gender & Sexuality
Global Perspectives
Race & Ethnicity

Students must complete a language exam or a set of courses to exhibit mastery of a language at the 103-level or 102-level if starting a new language.**

*5-year programs have additional education requirements.
**5-year Mathematics Secondary Special Education major does not require language.