Mathematics Secondary Teaching Programs

Interested in becoming a high school mathematics teacher? Saint Mary's offers the following two tracks.

4-year Degree and Math Teaching Credential Program

The integrated Single Subject Teacher Education (SSTE) pathway enables students to graduate with a Math BA and a California Teaching Credential in 4 years. See the Single Subject Integrated Credential page to learn more.

Mathematics 4+1 Secondary Teaching Program

Students completing the Mathematics 4+1 Secondary Teacher’s Program earn a Math BA and California Teaching Credential, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching degree through the Kalmanovitz School of Education. In the first four years, the student completes a specific set of courses to satisfy the mathematics BA major, the JCL Single Subject 4+1 minor, and additional teaching experiences. The student completes the remaining requirements for the teaching credential and Master’s Degree in the fifth year at SMC.

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4-year Degree and Math Teaching Credential Program

Learn more about earning your Math BA and a teaching credential in four years. See the Single Subject Integrated Credential page for details.

Mathematics 4+1 Secondary Teaching Program Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Course Catalog for details.

The Math major has two pathways to prepare future middle and high school classroom teachers. Students declare a different Mathematics degree for each pathway.

Math BA, Teaching Credential & Masters Degree (5 years): Students completing the Mathematics 4+1 Secondary Teacher’s Program earn a Math BA and California Teaching Credential, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching degree through the Kalmanovitz School of Education. In the first four years, the student completes a specific set of courses to satisfy the Mathematics 4+1 BA major, the program, and additional teaching experiences. The student completes the remaining requirements for the teaching credential and Master’s Degree in the fifth year at SMC.

A student choosing this pathway declares the Mathematics 4+1 Secondary Teaching major (described here) and must also declare the JCL Single Subject 4+1 minor.

Math BA & Teaching Credential (4 years): The integrated Single Subject Teacher Education (SSTE) pathway enables students to graduate with a Math BA and a California Teaching Credential in 4 years. Information on this pathway is found with the program degree description.

Learning Outcomes

1: Masterfully EXPLAIN concepts from single-variable calculus, linear algebra, computer programming, and mathematical logic, and apply them to solve problems.
2: Correctly APPLY the appropriate definitions, theorems, and problem-solving techniques to address problems of various levels.
3: COMMUNICATE mathematical, algorithmic, and computational ideas and concepts correctly and clearly in both oral and written forms using logical reasoning and appropriate terminology and symbolic representation.
4: USE appropriate knowledge and resources to independently investigate a novel mathematical or computational topic.
5: Appropriately INTEGRATE technological tools and resources into their mathematical and computational writing, study, and investigations.

Requirements

Required Courses

Take the following required courses:

Programming I (4 units)
Calculus I (4 units)
Math Games (2 units)
Linear Algebra (4 units)
Calculus II (4 units)
Calculus III (4 units)
Intro to Upper Division Math (4 units)
Probability & Statistics (4 units)
Number Theory (3 units)
Abstract Algebra I (4 units)
Real Analysis (4 units)
Capstone Experience (4 units)

Science Elective

Plus either Physics or Chemistry with lab

General Chemistry I (4 units)
General Chemistry I Laboratory (1 units)
Introduction to Physics I (4 units)
Intro to Physics I Lab (1 units)

Secondary Teaching Without Majoring in Math

Undergraduates with a SSTE pathway added to their major will be fulfilling all the requirements for a BA or BS in addition to requirements to earn a single subject teaching credential.

Learning Outcomes

1: DESIGN lessons and DELIVER instruction that is linguistically, culturally and developmentally appropriate to students.
2: LEARN and DEVELOP effective methods for cultivating a caring, supportive, nurturing, and rigorous classroom community (within our teacher education classrooms and at school sites).
3: USE a variety of formative and summative assessments to meet the needs of different learners, including student self-assessment and self-reflection as partners in teaching and learning.
4: ENSURE that all students have full opportunities for academic success, without regard to ethnicity, race, gender, culture, social class, language or disability.
5: DEMONSTRATE professional practice growth in partnership with school sites, communities, families, and students.
6: DEMONSTRATE that you have met all of the Teacher Performance Expectations set by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Requirements

SSTE Pathway Requirements

Integrated SSTE students take the following coursework sequenced from sophomore through senior year:

Intro to Teaching Profession (3 units)
Intro Teaching Prof Field Prac (1 units)
Learning Development & Culture (3 units)
Teaching Emergent Multilingual (3 units)
Intro to Special Education (3 units)
Foundations of Secondary Educ (3 units)
Instructional Design I (3 units)
Instructional Design Lab (1 units)
Fieldwork Seminar I (2 units)
Fieldwork Supervision I (1 units)
Foundations of Literacy (3 units)
Prep for Teacher Performance (1 units)
Culturally Responsive Class (3 units)
Instructional Design II (3 units)
Fieldwork Seminar II (2 units)
Fieldwork Supervision II (3 units)

All Program Courses

Finite Mathematics (3 units)
Intro Probability & Statistics (3 units)
Art & Practice of Math (3 units)
Data Science for Liberal Arts (3 units)
Applied Computational Thinking (3 units)
Applied Math for Scientists (4 units)
Applied Math Calc Lab
APPLIED MATH CALC LAB
Calculus I (4 units)
Calculus I Calc Lab
Calculus I (3-5 units)
Mathematical Understandng Elec (3-5 units)
Math Games (2 units)
Linear Algebra (4 units)
Calculus II (4 units)
Calculus III (4 units)
Discrete Mathematics (4 units)
Transfer Course (1-5 units)
Intro to Upper Division Math (4 units)
Probability & Statistics (4 units)
Mathematical Modeling (4 units)
Number Theory (3 units)
Differential Equations (3 units)
Complex Variables (3 units)
Transfer Course (1-5 units)
Abstract Algebra I (4 units)
Topology (3 units)
Real Analysis (4 units)
Special Topics in Mathematics (3 units)
Internship (1-4 units)
Capstone Experience (4 units)
Independent Study (1-4 units)
Mentored Research (1-4 units)
Math Placement C (Calc Ready)
Math Placement P (pre-Calc)

Saint Mary's Testimonials

“One of the things I enjoy about being a pure mathematics major on the secondary teaching track is the sense of community that my peers and I form in our classes. In addition, this program has helped me develop into the kind of educator I aspire to be in the future.”

Daniel Kao, Mathematics (Pure Track), Class of 2022

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