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.
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.
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.
* The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) has several grants available to fund graduate coursework and classroom initiatives.
Program Director
Assistant Director of Graduate Admission
"I felt the Mathematics Instructional Leadership program would broaden my knowledge of mathematical concepts and skills, and would provide me with opportunities to support and improve my mathematical instruction."
Wendy Wheeler is currently enrolled in Hood College's graduate program in Mathematics Education. She has taught 5th grade math for over 17 years.
Hood graduate alum, William "Buddy" Houston, earned his Master's in Mathematics Education in 2016. In 2019, he retired from the Army after a career spanning 37 years, and returned to the classroom where he has been teaching at Butterfly Ridge Elementary School. In 2020, he was awarded the U.S. Army Legion of Merit.
For students applying to the M.S. in Mathematics Education program, please submit the following to the Graduate School:
For students applying to the certificate in Secondary Mathematics Education program, please submit the following to the Graduate School:
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| MATH 503 | Explorations in Calculus | 3.0 |
| MATH 504 | Explorations in Secondary School Math | 3.0 |
| MATH 520 | Mathematical Modeling for Teachers | 3.0 |
| MATH 570 | History of Mathematics | 3.0 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| MATH 503 | Explorations in Calculus | 3.0 |
| MATH 504 | Explorations in Secondary Education School Math | 3.0 |
| MATH 520 | Mathematical Modeling for Teachers | 3.0 |
| MATH 570 | History of Mathematics | 3.0 |
Karine Ptak, Chair of the Mathematics Department at Frederick High School and Hood College M.S. in Mathematics Education graduate '16, recently published an article in Mathematics Teacher, a journal of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
