What’s the Best Way to Teach High School Mathematics?
A. Blaine Dockery Graduate Student
Graduate student A. Blaine Dockery researched the best way to teach high school math for his capstone project.
- Education
- Math & Computer Sciences
About this Program
Good teachers know they need to acquire a deeper understanding of math themselves. They also know they must adapt and even rethink their teaching practices.With Maryland’s adoption of the Common Core State Standards, expectations for K-12 students are higher than ever — especially in mathematics. The Hood College Graduate School, located in Frederick, Maryland, offers a master’s degree in math education and a certificate option designed to prepare teachers to ensure their students make the grade.
Program Overview
Learn math the way young students do
From algebra and graph theory to cutting-edge technological tools, master’s candidates learn through doing — just as their students do. Top-notch faculty members with deep connections in the region’s school districts bring proven experience to instruction, modeling research-based pedagogy and process in active, hands-on classes. The goal is to immerse students in current math content and equip them to teach it dynamically and effectively.
Two tracks to better teaching
The only one of its kind in Western Maryland, the 30-credit master’s degree program combines courses from both mathematics and education and affords students the expertise of faculty from both fields as well. The middle school track is designed for students without an undergraduate degree in mathematics, while the high school track is for those who have completed an undergraduate math degree. Those who do not want or need a full master's degree may choose to earn a certificate in secondary mathematics education. Yet another option is to transfer the five certificate courses into a master's program later.
Program Contact
Program Director
Phone
301-696-3838
Email
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
Phone
301-696-3603
Email
Degrees Offered
- Certificate
- MS
Are you ready to go further?
Math Education Alum New Department Chair
Darren Smith Alumni
Alumnus Darren Smith has been named the chair of the mathematics department at Montgomery College in Germantown.
- Academics
- Alumni Relations
For students applying to the M.S. in Mathematics Education program, please submit the following to the Graduate School:
- One copy of official transcripts from each institution attended
- A one-page statement describing how the program relates to previous academic and professional experience and to occupational or personal goals
For students applying to the certificate in Secondary Mathematics Education program, please submit the following to the Graduate School:
- One copy of official transcripts from each institution attended.
(For students without an undergraduate degree in mathematics)
Four courses in mathematics:
| MATH 500 | Statistics | 3.0 |
| MATH 501 | Explorations in Geometry | 3.0 |
| MATH 502 | Explorations in Algebra | 3.0 |
| MATH 505 | Discrete Math | 3.0 |
Four courses in education:
| EDUC 551 | The Teaching of Geometry | 3.0 |
| EDUC 552 | The Teaching of Algebra | 3.0 |
| EDUC 595 | The Teaching of Statistics & Probability: Decision Making with Mathematics | 3.0 |
| EDUC 596 | The Teaching of Mathematical Modeling: Strategies for Contemporary Problems | 3.0 |
Two electives chosen from:
| EDMA 530 | Mathematics Education Leadership I | 3.0 |
| EDMA 531 | Mathematics Education Leadership II: Practicum | 3.0 |
| EDMA 579 | Capstone Project | 3.0 |
| EDUC 502 | Technology for Literacy,Leadership & Learning | 3.0 |
| EDUC 539 | National Board Certification Support | 3.0 |
| EDUC 546 | The Teaching of Numbers,Operations & Algebraic Thinking in Elementary & Middle School | 3.0 |
| EDUC 547 | The Teaching of Geometry & Measurement in Elementary & Middle School | 3.0 |
| EDUC 561 | Teaching Diverse Learners in an Inclusive Setting | 3.0 |
| EDUC 576 | Curriculum & Methods in Inclusive Classrooms: Math and Science | 3.0 |
| EDUC 581 | Research-Based Teaching,Learning & Assessment | 3.0 |
| EDUC 583 | Principles of Curriculum Development & Appraisal | 3.0 |
| CSIT 512 | Elements of Computer Programming | 3.0 |
| MATH 575 | Independent Study | 1.0 - 3.0 |
| MATH 599 | Special Topics | 3.0 |
(For students with a mathematics degree)
Four courses in mathematics:
| MATH 500 | Statistics | 3.0 |
| MATH 505 | Discrete Math | 3.0 |
| MATH 507/MATH 407 | Introduction to Graph Theory | 3.0 |
| MATH 509/MATH 409 | Elementary Number Theory | 3.0 |
Four courses in education:
| EDUC 551 | The Teaching of Geometry | 3.0 |
| EDUC 552 | The Teaching of Algebra | 3.0 |
| EDUC 595 | The Teaching of Statistics & Probability: Decision Making with Mathematics | 3.0 |
| EDUC 596 | The Teaching of Mathematical Modeling: Strategies for Contemporary Problems | 3.0 |
Two electives chosen from:
| EDMA 530 | Mathematics Education Leadership I | 3.0 |
| EDMA 531 | Mathematics Education Leadership II: Practicum | 3.0 |
| EDMA 579 | Capstone Project | 3.0 |
| EDUC 502 | Technology for Literacy,Leadership & Learning | 3.0 |
| EDUC 539 | National Board Certification Support | 3.0 |
| EDUC 561 | Teaching Diverse Learners in an Inclusive Setting | 3.0 |
| EDUC 576 | Curriculum & Methods in Inclusive Classrooms: Math and Science | 3.0 |
| EDUC 581 | Research-Based Teaching,Learning & Assessment | 3.0 |
| EDUC 583 | Principles of Curriculum Development & Appraisal | 3.0 |
| CSIT 512 | Elements of Computer Programming | 3.0 |
| MATH 575 | Independent Study | 1.0 - 3.0 |
| MATH 599 | Special Topics | 3.0 |
Christy Graybeal
- Associate Professor of Education and Mathematics
- Department Chair of Education
Sara Malec
- Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Van C. Nguyen
- Assistant Professor of Mathematics
James Parson
- Associate Professor of Mathematics
Tricia K. Strickland
- Associate Professor of Education
- Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning