Mathematics Teacher (7-12), M.A.

School of Education

Program Overview

Stir up enthusiasm for math for children in seventh through 12th grade. In this master of science program, you’ll learn how to engage students in mathematics and how to build on students’ mathematical thinking. You will discover techniques to engage those who may be reluctant about learning a subject that involves many multiple-step problems and a lot of practice. You will hone your technical skills while our department will help you navigate the challenges of an urban school environment. You will explore pedagogical techniques specific to mathematics education.

Mathematics Teacher (7–12), M.A.

Where You'll Go

The program fully prepares you for employment as a math teacher at the middle and high school levels. This program will not only support you to gain New York State Certification but will also provide you with both the analytical and practical skills to offer students the support needed to thrive holistically. Our graduates are hired by school districts locally and nationwide. The mission of the department is to prepare teachers for effective classroom practice of diverse students in urban settings. Our goal is the development of knowledgeable, skilled teacher candidates who are well versed in research, theory, and practice.

Program Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.

Program Description

The Mathematics Department, in conjunction with the Department of Secondary Education, offers a master of arts degree in education for mathematics teachers (grades 7–12). The New York State Education Department licenses graduates of registered teacher education programs who meet the state requirements for teachers. Applicants must consult matriculation requirements for adolescence education and special subjects in the Department of Secondary Education section of the Bulletin, and should see the chairperson of the Department of Secondary Education for counseling.

The department also participates in a Master of Science degree program for middle childhood education specialists in math (grades 5–9), with extensions for gifted education at initial and professional certification levels.

This program leads to the M.A. in education and both New York State Initial and Professional Certification in Adolescence Education in teaching mathematics for grades 7–12.

Matriculation Requirements

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in mathematics, mathematics education grades 7–12, or 18 credits in advanced mathematics including the following: multivariable calculus, linear algebra, abstract algebra, geometry, analysis/advanced calculus, probability and statistics, as approved by the chair of the mathematics department and the adviser of the mathematics education (7–12) program.

Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 for matriculation. A minimum average of 3.00 in graduate courses is required to maintain matriculation.

International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 500 on the paper-based test, or 173 on the computer-based test, or 61 on the internet-based test before being considered for admission.

Applicants who do not meet all of the specific requirements will be given individual consideration and may be admitted with conditions, with the approval of the program coordinator of Mathematics Education 7–12 and the graduate deputy of the Mathematics Department.

Applicants must consult matriculation requirements for adolescence education and special subjects in the School of Education section of the Bulletin, and should see the Department of Secondary Education for advisement. General matriculation and admission requirements of Graduate Studies are in the section “Admission.”

Each student is evaluated individually based upon prior experiences. Based upon this evaluation and current certification requirements of the New York State Education Department, courses in education or another department may be substituted for required courses with permission of the program coordinator.

Option A (30 Credits)

This option leads to New York State Professional Certification in Adolescence Education in teaching mathematics for grades 7–12.

Matriculation Requirements

Applicants must hold a New York State Initial Certification in Adolescence Education in teaching mathematics for grades 7–12.

Degree Requirements

Thirty credits are required for the degree.

Mathematics Education (12 credits)

The following mathematics education courses, or mathematics education courses approved by the program coordinator, are required in the stated sequence: SEED 7482X, SEED 7483X, SEED 7484T, SEED 7485T.

Mathematics (12 credits)

The following four mathematics courses, or mathematics courses approved by the Mathematics Department chair or graduate deputy are required: MATH 7305T, 7307T, 7309T, and 7313T.

Education Core (6 credits)

The following education class: Development and SEL: SEED 7507X.

One of the following elective education courses, or an education course approved by the program coordinator, is required: SEED 7465X, SEED 7503X, SEED 7504X, SEED 7671X.

Option B (30–40 Credits)

This option, for students without certification to teach, leads to both New York State Initial and Professional Certification in Adolescence Education in teaching mathematics for grades 7–12.

Degree Requirements

Thirty to 40 credits are required for the degree.

Education Core (12 credits)

The following four education courses are required unless candidates have taken one or more as part of previous coursework: Foundations: SEED 7500X; Literacy: SEED 7503X; Special Education: SEED 7671X; and Development and SEL: SEED 7507X.

Student Teaching (4 credits)

The following two student teaching courses are required unless candidates have a New York State waiver: SEED 7542T, and SEED 7543T. (SEED 7500X and SEED 7483T must be completed before student teaching). SEED 7543T is not required if the candidate is teaching mathematics full-time at an appropriate grade level.

Students teaching with a New York State Internship Certificate must be enrolled in either SEED 7542T or SEED 7001T during every semester that they are teaching under the certificate.

Mathematics Education (12 credits)

The following mathematics education courses, or mathematics education courses approved by the program coordinator, are required in the stated sequence unless candidates have taken one or more as part of previous coursework: SEED 7482X, SEED 7483X, SEED 7484T, SEED 7485T.

Mathematics (12 credits)

The following four mathematics courses, or mathematics courses approved by the Mathematics Department chair or graduate deputy, are required: MATH 7305T, 7307T, 7309T, and 7313T.

Option C (30–39 Credits)

This option leads to both New York State Initial and Professional Certification in Adolescence Education in teaching mathematics for grades 7–12.

Matriculation Requirements

Applicants must hold a New York State Transitional B Certificate in Adolescence Education in teaching mathematics for grades 7–12.

Degree Requirements

Thirty to 39 credits are required for the degree.

Education Core (15 credits)

The following five courses in education are required unless candidates have taken one or more as part of previous coursework: Foundations: SEED 7500X; Literacy: SEED 7503X; Mindfulness; SEED 7504X; Special Education: 7671X; Development and SEL: SEED 7507X.

Mathematics Education (12 credits)

The following mathematics education courses, or mathematics education courses approved by the program coordinator, are required in the stated sequence unless candidates have taken one or more as part of previous coursework: SEED 7482X, SEED 7483X, SEED 7484T, SEED 7485T.

Mathematics (12 credits)

The following four mathematics courses, or mathematics courses approved by the Mathematics Department chair or graduate deputy, are required: MATH 7305T, 7307T, 7309T, and 7313T.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Be prepared to pass NYSED teacher certification examinations in content area, pedagogy, and knowledge of students.
  • Apply the ACTFL, CEC, NCSS, NCTE, NCTM, NSTA, and SHAPE Standards and the Next Generation Learning Standards to planning, instruction, and assessment for all students, including those of low SES, linguistic/cultural minorities, and those with IEPs.
  • Design lessons and units of study that engage all students, including ELLs and students with IEPs, in doing, thinking, reasoning, speaking, and writing in the content areas.
  • Incorporate community resources in culturally relevant units of study.
  • Create classrooms that support social and emotional learning.
  • Make plans for and use technological tools (e.g. communication and collaboration tools, adaptive devices, Web-based digital media) in instruction.
  • Analyze instructional materials and assessments in order to identify linguistic and extra-linguistic demands and challenges of performance tasks in the content areas.
  • Analyze and interpret whole-class interaction focusing on guiding techniques conducive to orchestrating meaningful, inclusive, and content-rich conversations.
  • Analyze and interpret samples of student work and classroom data to identify different levels of student learning as well as typical errors and misconceptions.
  • Conduct and use research in their own practices to improve learning and teaching.

Admissions Requirements

  • Fall Application Deadline: May 15
  • Spring Application Deadline: November 15, rolling admission

Supporting Documents for Matriculation

Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  • Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States need to submit a course-by-course international transcript evaluation. See Graduate Admissions for more information.
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Résumé
  • Photocopy of New York State teaching certificate (Option A)
  • A brief biographical statement of 500 to 1,000 words describing your reasons for pursuing the specific graduate program to which you are applying and your future professional goals

Interview with department.

Nondegree applicants: Submit a cover sheet describing why you wish to attend as a nondegree seeking student.

Required Tests

  • F-1 or J-1 international students must submit English Proficiency Exam. TOEFL—79, IELTS—6.5, PTE—58–63, Duolingo—105–160.

All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.

Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.

Contact

Michael Meagher, Program Coordinator

2608 James Hall
E: mmeagher@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 5325

Or contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.4536

Office Hours

Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:

BC Admissions Appointment Tool

Internships and Employers

Students complete internships in public and private schools throughout the New York City region as well as across the United States. The internship is a supervised experience designed to hone the requisite skills and knowledge to work as a math teacher.

Learn More

Brooklyn. All in.

Brooklyn. All in.