Elementary Mathematics Specialist

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Graduate programs

Certificate in Elementary Mathematics Specialist

Diana Piccolo, Program Director
Hill Hall, room 228; Phone 417-836-3213

Program description

The graduate certificate in elementary mathematics specialist provides a 16 hour graduate-level experience for educators, specifically early, elementary, middle school or high school teachers and curriculum directors. The graduate certificate in elementary mathematics specialist is designed for practicing teachers (with at least 1 year of experience teaching elementary or middle school). This track is part of a statewide mathematics specialist certification in collaboration with other Missouri universities and culminates with a certification as an elementary mathematics specialist through the state of Missouri. Elementary mathematics specialist (EMS) professionals can serve students and schools in a variety of ways including as classroom teachers, lead or mentor teachers, and school or district-based mathematics specialists.

Entrance criteria

To be considered for the program, elementary or middle school teachers must be currently teaching with at least 1 year of classroom experience, strong interest in enhancing mathematics content and pedagogical preparation, and commitment to completing the requirements of the program in a 2-year period as part of a graduate cohort.

Students who do not meet the normal admission requirement, but who show an indication of high promise, will be considered for probationary admission. Probationary conditions will be defined by the certificate advisor in collaboration with the math department. Admission to the certificate program does not constitute admission to any other Missouri State University graduate program.

Required courses (16 hours)

Course code Course title Credit hours
ELE 734 Internship in Algebraic Reasoning 1 hr
ELE 736 Foundations of Mathematical Leadership for EMS 2 hrs
ELE 737 Foundations of Mathematical Leadership II for Elementary Mathematics Specialists 3 hrs
ELE 738 Internship in Geometry and Measurement 1 hr
MTH 754 Algebraic Reasoning for EMS 3 hrs
MTH 758 Data and Probability for EMS 3 hrs
MTH 760 Geometry and Measurement for EMS 3 hrs

Prerequisite courses (8 hours)

Course code Course title Credit hours
ELE 730 Internship in Number and Operations 1 hrs
ELE 732 Internship in Rational Numbers and Proportional Thinking 1 hrs
MTH 750 Number and Operations for Elementary Mathematics Specialists 3 hrs
MTH 752 Rational Numbers and Proportional Thinking for Elementary Mathematics Specialists 3 hrs

Completion requirements

Courses must be completed with a 3.00 GPA for successful completion of certificate.