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Degree Requirements & Information

Masters of Education

Master of Education in Mathematics Education

Master of Education in Mathematics Education with NY State Certification

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Brief Program Description

The Master of Education degree in Mathematics Education is an advanced professional degree designed to prepare students as resource teachers and supervisors of mathematics. It is awarded upon satisfactory completion of a two-year program of graduate study.

Prerequisite Requirements

Admission to the program requires a strong undergraduate major in mathematics, including substantial course work beyond the calculus and evidence of ability to do graduate work in mathematics and mathematics education. Students are referred to the Teachers College Bulletin for information on admission and college-wide degree requirements, including residence for multiple degrees.

Minimum Point Requirement

The program of studies for the degree must include a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate study, 30 points of which must be completed under the auspices of Teachers College, with at least 18 points in Teachers College courses. Candidates with the M.A. degree from Teachers College must complete at least 45 of 60 graduate points under the auspices of Teachers College.

Required Courses

Normally the program of studies for the Ed.M. degree should include 42 points in courses in mathematics and mathematics education. Preparation in mathematics content should be of sufficient depth to provide leadership to elementary and secondary school teachers. Content courses can be selected from courses offered by the Program or from courses offered by the Graduate faculty of Columbia University.

In addition to content courses in mathematics, Ed.M. students should enroll for several professional courses in mathematics education such as MSTM 5010 Mathematics in the Elementary School, and the sequence MSTM 4019/4020 Mathematics Teaching and Learning. Students are encouraged to take MSTM 5800/5801 Colloquia in Mathematics Education for one to three points. A culminating paper that reflects the ability to integrate aspects of the Ed.M. program is required for the degree.

In order to insure that prospective leaders understand the history, organization, and function of American education, Ed.M. programs should include 18 points of courses related to curriculum development, evaluation and supervision offered by other departments Students interested in developing research competencies for further study should elected at least 6 points preparation in statistics. HUDM4122/5123 Probability and Statistical Inference/Experimental Design are recommended.

Breadth Requirement

Preparation in computing also is recommended for prospective resource teachers and supervisors. Programming competencies in at least one computer language and further computer science training equivalent to at least 6 points of graduate study ordinarily are required of all Ed.M. students. These points can be included either in the 42 point mathematics/mathematics education requirement or can be taken as electives.

Statement on Integrative Project, Comprehensive Exam or Formal Essay Requirement  <Master’s Degree “Departmental Special Project”>

This culminating paper provides an opportunity to make connections among courses taken as well as to relate them to field experiences, thus demonstrating an ability to integrate various aspects of the M.A. program.  The paper should be approximately ten typewritten pages with a title page that includes the designation “Departmental Special Project” and the date submitted.  Deadline for submission of the project for approval by an advisor depends on the expected date of graduation.

To graduate in:	Submit approved application for degree to Registrar by:	Submit paper and obtain approval from Department by:
May	February 1	April 30
October	August 1	August 1
February	November 1	December 15

Note 1: This is not the Master’s degree essay referred to in the academic calendar.  The project is submitted to the Department, not to the Registrar.

Note 2: New York has certification reciprocity with over 35 states.  For more information on reciprocity or permanent state certification contact the Office of Teacher Education (400 Russell Hall; 212-678-3502).

Transfer Credit Evaluation

By College policy, as much as 30 points of approved graduate transfer credit can be applied to the Ed.M. and M. S. degrees. If you have taken graduate courses previously at Teachers College as much as 30 points of applicable TC credit can be applied to the Ed. M. and M. S. degrees.  Application for transfer credit evaluation is made through the Office of Admissions.  Prior TC graduate credit can be applied to the degree with approval of your advisor.  The General information on policies and procedures.

Statement on Satisfactory Progress and Academic Performance

Students are expected to make satisfactory progress toward the completion of degree requirements.  Program faculty will review each student’s progress annually.  If a student is performing below expectations he/she may be required to complete additional course work.  The program will provide a plan and timeline for remediation so students know the expectation for them to continue in the program. If satisfactory progress is not maintained a student may be dismissed from the program.  For additional information about Academic Performance, please refer to Degree Requirements in the TC Catalog.

An average grade of B or better is expected for satisfactory completion of the degree. According to the Mathematics Education Program policy, no more than 3 points of C may be credited toward any degree or diploma. Students completing requirements for more than one degree or diploma may count 3 points of C toward only one such award. A student who accumulates 8 points or more in C or lower grades will not be permitted to continue study at the College and will not be awarded a degree or diploma. Master of Education students are expected to maintain a grade point average of at least 3.25.  Please see the statement on policy of grades at Teachers College. 

Standard Policies and Procedures

Services for Students with Disabilities:
The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities for information about registration (166 Thorndike Hall).  Services are available only to students who are registered and submit appropriate documentation.

Statement on Academic Conduct:
A Teachers College student is expected to refrain from any conduct, including cheating, plagiarizing, or purchasing documents submitted for academic evaluation, that calls into question his/her academic and/or professional probity. Decisions regarding academic evaluation in all aspects of students’ work at the college, including course work, certification examinations, clinical or field experiences, and preparation of dissertations, are within the sole jurisdiction of the faculty concerned, including as appropriate, the department or program staff members. Disciplinary actions (e.g., reprimand, suspension, or dismissal) in cases of academic misconduct can be imposed by the Vice Provost or the Committee on Student Conduct.

Resolution of Student Academic Program Concerns:
Any student who has a concern regarding an academic matter may seek assistance.  The procedure for resolving academic program concerns (see note of grade correction process below) begins with either the faculty member (if the concern is related to a course) or the student’s advisor.  If the student is not satisfied with the response or resolution achieved at this first level, or if speaking with the faculty member presents a conflict of interest for the student, the student should proceed to speak with the Program Coordinator in the area in which the academic concern resides.  If the student is not satisfied with the response or resolution achieved through the Program Coordinator, the student should proceed to speak with the Chair of the academic department in which the academic concern resides.  If the student is still not satisfied with the response or resolution achieved through the Department Chair, or if speaking with the Department Chair presents a conflict of interest for the student, the next step is to contact the Office of the Vice Provost.  At any stage of the process, students are welcome to seek the advice and guidance of the Ombudsman, who is charged with attempting to informally resolve student dissatisfaction of an academic nature on a completely confidential basis.

Grade Correction Procedure:
The instructor for a course has the responsibility for setting the requirements for a course and making an evaluation of students’ work. Once a grade has been given, the instructor is not free to change the grade unless the instructor indicates to the Registrar that an error was made in the original grade transmitted. If a student believes that an error has been made, he/she must take the initiative in bringing about the necessary correction prior to the conclusion of the semester immediately following the semester in which the course was taken. The normal procedure for effecting a correction would be through direct discussion between the student and the instructor. If redress cannot be attained through such discussions, the student may next appeal to the department chairperson of the department offering the course. If resolution cannot be attained through appeal, the student may next appeal to the Dean. In situations where the student feels that such an appeal process might not be in the student’s interest, counsel and assistance can be sought from the Office of the College Ombudsman and the Office of the Vice Provost.

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Recommended Competencies	Points Recommended	Examples of Appropriate Courses/Experiences
1.  Breadth in mathematics content with sufficient depth in two or three areas of mathematics to communicate content effectively.	36-39	MSTM 5036/6036: Topics/Advanced topics in discrete mathematics (3) MSTM 5031/6031: Topics/Advanced topics in foundations of mathematics (3) MSTM 5032/6032: Topics/Advanced topics in geometry (3) MSTM 5033/6033: Topics/Advanced topics in algebra (3) MSTM 5034/6034: Topics/Advanced topics in analysis (3) MSTM 5035: Mathematical models in the natural sciences (3)
2.  Background in the teaching of mathematics.	3-6	MSTM 4019: Mathematics teaching and Learning I (3) MSTM 4020: Mathematics teaching and learning II (3) MSTM 5010: Mathematics in the elementary school (3) MSTM 5800/5801: Colloquia in mathematics education (1-3) MSTM 6400: Internship in mathematics and science education (1-6)
3.  General professional competencies.	18	HUDF 4000: Education and public policy (3) A&HF 4081: Philosophies of education (3) A&HF 4083: Philosophies of science and human inquiry (2-3) HUDM 4050: Introduction to measurement (2-3) HUDM 4122: Probability and statistical inference (3) HUDM 5122: Applied regression analysis (3) HUDM 5123: Experimental eesign (3) C&T 4004: Basic course in school improvement (3) C&T 4051: Supervision for elementary and secondary schools (2-3) C&T 4052: Designing curriculum and instruction (2-3) C&T 4159: Teacher education programs (2-3) C&T 5053: Staff development process and procedures (3) ORLA 4001: Introduction to school leadership and decision making (3) ORLA 4033: Ethical and legal issues in education leadership (3)