Master of Arts in Mathematics, Teaching Option
The Master of Arts in Mathematics, Teaching Option is designed for those preparing to become a community college teacher, and for current high school teachers interested in deepening their mathematical knowledge. The program provides advanced study in several areas of mathematics, including algebra, analysis, geometry, and discrete mathematics. The Master of Arts program can be used to prepare for doctoral programs in mathematics education.
Application Procedure
Students may begin this program in the spring, summer, or fall semester. Students seeking admission to the program must have a bachelor's degree in mathematics or related area from an accredited college or university with an overall GPA of at least 2.5 and a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all upper division mathematics courses, or a combination of previous course work and work experience approved by the graduate committee of the Mathematics Department. Financial aid, including teaching assistantships and out-of-state tuition fee waiver, is available.
Students can apply online
and have official transcripts sent to CSUF's Admissions and Records. GRE scores and letters of recommendation are not required. International students should visit this International Admissions Office
for additional information and requirements.
Teaching Associate opportunities for qualified students
We offer interested masters students, depending on availability, part-time instructor positions where they teach one or more of our elementary mathematics courses. Applications for the Teaching Associate (TA) position will be accepted beginning in March to teach the following fall semester. Please view our TA Job Description and Application Procedure for more details.
We are currently offering a limited number of tuition waivers for Teaching Associates newly hired in Fall 2024:
Terms of TA Tuition Waivers:
(1) Awardees receive an in-state, part-time tuition waiver for two courses or six units, whichever is higher.
- Non-resident tuition fees are not waived.
- Additional campus-based fees are not waived.
- Graduate business professional fees are not waived.
(2) TA tuition waivers will be awarded for a specific 2-year period (i.e. Fall 2024 through Spring 2026). Students will maintain their waiver if they take a leave of absence, however, the leave does not extend the 2-year period for which the waiver was awarded.
(3) TAs are not eligible to transfer their tuition waiver to a dependent child, spouse, or a registered domestic partner.
Eligibility:
(1) TAs must teach 3.0 units each semester.
(2) Awardees must enroll in a minimum of 3 units of coursework per semester. Students who are enrolled in GRAD 700 are not eligible for a TA tuition waiver.
(3) Awardees must maintain good academic standing and maintain satisfactory performance as a TA.
(4) Graduate Assistants and Instructional Student Assistants are not eligible for the tuition waiver at this time.
To be considered for the TA Tuition Waiver, you must submit a completed graduate application through Cal State Apply and a completed Teaching Associate application by March 1, 2024.
For more information please contact the Graduate Advisor Dr. Armando Martinez-Cruz at amartinez-cruz@fullerton.edu or (657) 278-4685. For administrative questions contact the Math Department office at mathoffice@fullerton.edu.
Prerequisites
Upper division courses in Modern Algebra, Linear Algebra, Mathematical Probability, and Advanced Calculus/Analysis. Teaching experience is recommended but is not necessary.
Requirements
Students entering the program are expected to have the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics. The teaching option requires 30 units of graduate study approved by the graduate committee. The following course work must be included:
(1) MATH 581: Studies in Geometry (3 units)
(2) MATH 582: Studies in Algebra (3 units )
(3) MATH 584: Studies in Analysis (3 units )
(4) MATH 586: Studies in Discrete Mathematics (3 units )
(5) MATH 587: Studies in Mathematical Problem Solving (3 units )
(6) MATH 599: Independent Graduate Research (3-6 units )
Each student will be required to take advisor-approved mathematics electives to meet the 30-unit requirement. Possible elective courses include:
MATH 580: Studies in Mathematics History (3 units )
MATH 583: Topics in Statistics (3 units )
Other courses may be taken with the approval of the graduate advisor. Finally, all students must pass a set of four comprehensive exams. Comprehensive exams may be taken at most twice.
Careers
The Master of Arts in Mathematics, Teaching Option program is intended for current and future teachers at the high school or community college levels. Students who have completed this program are now teaching in several local high schools and community colleges. Other students who have completed this program have gone on to doctoral programs in mathematics education.
Those wishing to become high school teachers must earn a Single Subject Credential in Mathematics; the Master of Arts does not, on its own, certify one to teach high school mathematics. Most high school teachers earn the Credential first, and complete the Master of Arts degree while working as a high school teacher.
Faculty
Dr. Martin V. Bonsangue, Professor of Mathematics, Professional Development and Mathematics History
Dr. Todd CadwalladerOlsker, Professor of Mathematics, Undergraduate Mathematics Education
Dr. Bridget Druken, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Professional Development and Developing Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching
Dr. Cherie Ichinose, Professor of Mathematics, Online Mathematics Education
Dr. Sunny Le, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Statistics Education, Machine Learning Techniques on Education Data, Curricula Redesign with Engaging, Pratical, Real-world Focused Interdisciplinary, and Active Learning Pedagogy
Dr. Armando M. Martinez-Cruz, Professor of Mathematics, Mathematical Problem Solving; Learning within Dynamic Geometry Environments
Dr. Alison Marzocchi, Professor of Mathematics, Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Students in Mathematics
Dr. David Pagni, Professor of Mathematics, Professional Development, Professional Learning Communities
Dr. Roberto Soto, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Representation Theory of Groups, K-12 Professional Development
Dr. Amelia Stone-Johnstone, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Gateway Mathematics Course Design, Professional Development, and Institutional Change
