Interested in improving your mathematics and science teaching?
This one-year, 24-unit program is, nationwide, one of the only master's programs focused on K-12 mathematics and science teaching.
In our newly-designed one-year Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, you can enhance your teaching in mathematics and/or science by working with SDSU’s award-winning faculty. Through coursework designed to connect directly to your K-12 classroom, you will explore students’ ideas in mathematics and science, and investigate how those ideas can be leveraged to support powerful mathematics and science learning.
You can also add Foundational Credentials in both Mathematics and Science, expanding your options for teaching. A valid multiple subject or single subject teaching credential are a prerequisite.1
You do not need to be a math or science expert to join the program. We seek students with a passion for empowering all children in math and science learning — not just an elite few. Come join a program that has produced illustrious alumni, including teachers of the year, district coaches and recognized leaders in mathematics and science in San Diego County.
1 Must already have a preliminary teaching credential and must pass the appropriate CSETs. Free CSET preparation courses are available from SDSU’s MSTI program.
Program Highlights
Contact Us
Meredith Vaughn, Ph.D.
Graduate Advisor
To learn more, please sign up to attend an information session:
Course Sequence
We take an asset-based approach to both students and teachers. We believe that K-12 students come into classrooms with productive mathematics and science ideas upon which teachers can build. Coursework across the semesters will focus on understanding students’ ideas and exploring pedagogical approaches that support their learning. The NGSS Science and Engineering Practices and the CCSS-M Standards for Mathematical Practice are foundational to our work.
The entire program spans summer, fall and spring. You will take four courses in the summer and two courses each in the fall and spring semesters.2 All courses have an explicit focus in mathematics and/or science. Summer coursework focuses on adopting an equity-based lens on investigating students’ ideas. Fall semester continues to build on this focus and includes coursework for the added Foundational-level credentials. In the spring semester, you will work with a partner to conduct an action research project in your classrooms around a mathematics or science learning issue.
Summer
Fall
Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy. Intensive consideration of selected topics of current importance in teacher education. May be repeated with new content.
For our program, the two courses are
- TE 790. Advanced Secondary Mathematics Methods (3)
- TE 790. Advanced Secondary Science Methods (3)
Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy. Intensive consideration of selected topics of current importance in teacher education. May be repeated with new content.
For our program, the two courses are
- TE 790. Advanced Secondary Mathematics Methods (3)
- TE 790. Advanced Secondary Science Methods (3)
Spring
Course Dates
Summer 2024
- May 20 - June 28, 2024: Mondays & Thursdays (4:20pm - 7:00pm)
- June 26 - July 7, 2024: Monday-Friday (8:00am - 4:00pm)
- July 1 - August 16, 2024: Asynchronous coursework (online)
Fall 2023 & Spring 2024
- Mondays & Thursdays (4:20-7pm)
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcome 1: Plan and implement instruction based on students’ mathematical or scientific thinking.
Learning Outcome 2: Use a variety of appropriate methods of mathematical or scientific representations, including technology, oral language, written symbols, pictures, concrete materials/models, real-world situations/phenomena.
Learning Outcome 3: Use best practices associated with the Common Core Standards for Mathematics and the Next Generation Science Standards.
Learning Outcome 4: Plan and implement mathematics or science instruction in developmentally and culturally responsive ways to meet specific student needs.
Learning Outcome 5: Develop an understanding about what it means to learn mathematics and science deeply.
Learning Outcome 6: Develop strategies for classroom discourse in mathematics or science.
Learning Outcome 7: Use assessments in mathematics and science for uncovering students' reasoning.
Learning Outcome 8: Demonstrate professional competency with professional presentations and action research.
Learning Outcome 9: Actively read and interpret research in ways that influence practice.
Curriculum Alignment Matrix
| Learning Outcome | TE 511 | TE 600 | TE 610C | TE 677 | TE 790 | TE 790 | TE 693 | TE 779 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| 2 | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| 3 | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 4 | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| 5 | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| 6 | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| 7 | X | X | X | |||||
| 8 | X | X | ||||||
| 9 | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Cost
The cost for California residents is approximately $10,000 for the entire program (see current tuition rates), a substantial savings compared to many other universities.
1In order to add on Foundational Math or Foundational Science credentials, students must also maintain a preliminary Multiple Subject or Single Subject credential and pass the appropriate CSETs. For information about free CSET preparation classes, visit the MSTI website.
2Eight courses total assumes you have earned 6 units of credit in a graduate or post-baccalaureate credential program within the last five years. If your coursework is more than five years old or your credential was earned as an undergraduate, you will need to earn an additional six units of graduate coursework, selected in consultation with the program adviser.
Frequently Asked Questions
While you will take courses in both math and science, there are opportunities within the coursework to focus on your preferred content area specialization. There are eight classes in the program, two of which will explicitly focus on math and two explicitly on science. An action research course in your last semester will allow you to focus on your preferred content area (or combine math and science). The remaining three courses use math and science as a context for exploring curriculum, assessment and teaching diverse learners.
This program is structured to accommodate the schedules of full-time teachers. In addition, you will be able to integrate much of the coursework into your own classroom instruction. See below for the class schedule.
Refer to the Course Dates section above for course schedules.
Program participants will be required to:
- thoughtfully complete the appropriate coursework and maintain their GPA in those courses to a level acceptable by program directors and university guidelines,
- take and pass a required Comprehensive Examination (Project Directors will provide you with guidelines regarding the exam and will provide suggestions for studying), and
- complete a Master of Arts final project as part of your coursework.
You will submit two applications: One to the university and one to our program. To apply, visit the MAT How to Apply page at COE Admissions. For questions about Cal State Apply, please contact [email protected].
For the program application, start gathering your materials now. These include:
- Statement of Purpose: What are your immediate and long-term goals in mathematics and science teaching and learning, and how do you hope that this program will further those goals? (Do not exceed two double-spaced pages.)
- One Letter of Recommendation
- Transcripts if most recent degree or credential is not from SDSU. Electronic transcripts can be sent to [email protected]. (Note: these must come from the institution, not your email.)