Education: Secondary Education, Mathematics (BS)

Degree: Bachelor of Science
Major: Mathematics
Concentration: Secondary Education
Program Code: 3430

About This Major . . .

The major in mathematics with a concentration in secondary education will prepare students to teach in both middle schools and in high schools.  While completing this degree, students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills and are introduced to the logical and historical development of mathematical ideas. Students also learn the professional skills in teaching methods and content necessary for secondary mathematics teachers.  Nationally recommended curriculum guidelines are followed in order to ensure that graduates have the mathematical content and conceptual understanding necessary for all high school mathematics courses.  Graduates from this program are in great demand both locally and statewide with the scarcity of 

Important information for this program:

  • 2.80 cumulative GPA or higher required in all CMU coursework.
  • 2.80 cumulative GPA or higher required in coursework toward the major content area.
  • All EDUC prefix courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better.
  • Students must pass the PRAXIS II exam in the content area prior to beginning the internship.  Also, all other coursework toward the degree must be successfully completed prior to the internship.
  • A grade of “C” or better must be earned in all required courses, unless otherwise stated.

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource and the Mathematics website.  

All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Mathematics Outcome 1: Construct multi-step problem solving strategies and communicate solutions effectively in written form. (Specialized Knowledge, Quantitative Fluency)
  2. Mathematics Outcome 2: Use mathematical software (including calculators) to aid in problem-solving and investigation, and recognize its limitations. (Applied Learning)
  3. Mathematics Outcome 3: Prove propositions deductively from definitions and theorems in clear and precise prose. (Critical Thinking)
  4. Mathematics Outcome 4: Investigate, discuss, and respond to ethical and social challenges in a mathematical context. (Communication Fluency, Personal and Social Responsibility, Information Literacy)
  5. Mathematics Outcome 5: Demonstrate familiarity with the logical and historical development of mathematics and the implications of this development. (Specialized Knowledge)
  6. Mathematics Outcome 6: Research a topic in mathematics education and deliver written and oral presentations. (Specialized Knowledge, Communication Fluency, Information Literacy)
  7. Teacher Education Outcome 1: Demonstrate mastery of major area’s content knowledge and pedagogical strategies through fieldwork with learners in professional settings. (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)
  8. Teacher Education Outcome 2: Design and establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students. (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)
  9. Teacher Education Outcome 3: Plan and deliver effective instruction to students, based on research-based pedagogical practices. (Communication Literacy/Information Literacy)
  10. Teacher Education Outcome 4: Collect and analyze student assessment data and use results to inform planning and instruction. (Quantitative Fluency)
  11. Teacher Education Outcome 5: Demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership. (Personal and Social Responsibility)

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 120 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
  • 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Specific to this degree:

  • 2.80 cumulative GPA or higher required in all CMU coursework.

Essential Learning Requirements

(31 semester hours, must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher, unless otherwise noted.)

See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below.  If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.

English 1
ENGL 111English Composition I-GTCO13
ENGL 112English Composition II-GTCO23
Mathematics 2
MATH 119Precalculus Mathematics-GTMA1 (or higher) 3, 43
History
Select one History course3
Humanities
Select one Humanities course3
Social and Behavioral Sciences
PSYC 233Human Growth and Development-GTSS3 53
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course 63
Fine Arts
Select one Fine Arts course3
Natural Sciences 7
Select one Natural Science course with lab4
Select one Natural Science course3
Total Semester Credit Hours31
1

Must receive a grade of “B” or better and must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours.

2

Must receive a grade of “C” or better, must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours.

3

MATH 119 is a 5 semester credit hour course. 3 credits apply to the Essential Learning requirements and 2 credits apply to elective credit.

4

May also satisfy this requirement by completing both MATH 119A: Algebra for Calculus (4 credits) and MATH 119B: Trigonometry for Calculus (3 credits).

5

Must receive a grade of “B” or higher.

6

 GEOG 103 - World Regional Geography (3) recommended.

7

One course must include a lab.

Other Lower Division Requirements

Must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher, unless otherwise noted.

Wellness Requirement
KINE 100Health and Wellness1
Select one Activity course1
Essential Learning Capstone 1
ESSL 290Maverick Milestone3
ESSL 200Essential Speech1
Total Semester Credit Hours6
1

Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours. 

Foundation Courses

(8 semester hours, must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher.)

MATH 151Calculus I-GT-MA15
STAT 200Probability and Statistics-GTMA13
Total Semester Credit Hours8

Program Specific Degree Requirements

(43-44 semester hours, must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher, excepting one “D”, at most, which may be used in completing the major requirements. Must also maintain a 2.80 cumulative GPA or higher in coursework toward the major content area.)

  • Students must take the PRAXIS II exam in the content area prior to beginning the internship.  Also, all other coursework toward the degree must be successfully completed prior to the internship.
Core Courses
MATH 150Topics and Careers in Mathematics1
MATH 152Calculus II5
MATH 225Computational Linear Algebra3
MATH 253Calculus III4
MATH 492Senior Capstone3
Select one of the following:4
CS1: Foundations of Computer Science
Beginning Programming
and Beginning Programming Laboratory
Introduction to Engineering Computer Science
Concentration Courses
MATH 240Introduction to Advanced Mathematics4
MATH 310Number Theory3
MATH 352Advanced Calculus3
MATH 369Discrete Structures I3
MATH 380History of Mathematics3
MATH 386Geometries4
Concentration Electives
Select one of the following:3-4
Numerical Analysis
Mathematical Modeling
Complex Variables
Abstract Algebra I
Computational Statistics
Total Semester Credit Hours43-44

Secondary Education Requirements

 (29 semester hours, all EDUC prefix courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better.)

Program Requirements:

 ENGL 111ENGL 112PSYC 233EDUC 115 and EDUC 215 (all with a grade of B or better) and formal acceptance to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 115What It Means To Be An Educator (8 field experience hours)1
EDUC 215Teaching as a Profession (12 field experience hours)1
EDUC 342Pedagogy and Assessment: Secondary and K-12 (20 field experience hours)3
EDUC 343Teaching to Diversity (20 field experience hours)3
EDUC 442Integrating Literacy Across the Curriculum: Secondary and K-12 Art (60 field experience hours)3
EDUC 475Classroom Management for K-12 Educators1
EDUC 497Content Methodology Practicum (80 field experience hours)3
EDUC 497CMethods of Teaching Secondary Mathematics 12
EDUC 499GTeaching Internship and Colloquia: Secondary (600 field experience hours)12
Praxis II Exam Passed
Total Semester Credit Hours29
1

This course is only offered in the fall semester.  It may be taken with either the 300-level or 400-level EDUC courses but must be taken before the student teaching semester.

General Electives

All college level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours. 2-3 semester hours. Must earn a grade of "C" or higher.

MATH 119Precalculus Mathematics-GTMA12
Select additional elective(s)0-1
Total Semester Credit Hours2-3

While the sequencing below culminates in a total of 119-121 semester credit hours, students must complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours as required for completion of this degree, including satisfactory completion of all required courses. Plan to complete requirements with varying hour options accordingly.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
MATH 119 Precalculus Mathematics-GTMA1 5
ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 3
Essential Learning - Humanities 3
Essential Learning - Fine Arts 3
KINA Activity 1
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
MATH 151 Calculus I-GT-MA1 5
MATH 150 Topics and Careers in Mathematics 1
ENGL 112 English Composition II-GTCO2 3
Essential Learning - Social/Behavioral Science 3
Essential Learning - History 3
KINE 100 Health and Wellness 1
 Semester Credit Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
EDUC 115 What It Means To Be An Educator 1
Essential Learning - Natural Science 3
MATH 152 Calculus II 5
PSYC 233 Human Growth and Development-GTSS3 3
STAT 200 Probability and Statistics-GTMA1 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
EDUC 215 Teaching as a Profession 1
Essential Learning - Natural Science with Lab 4
MATH 225 Computational Linear Algebra 3
MATH 253 Calculus III 4
MATH 240 Introduction to Advanced Mathematics 4
 Semester Credit Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
Select one of the following: 4
CS1: Foundations of Computer Science
Beginning Programming
and Beginning Programming Laboratory
Introduction to Engineering Computer Science
MATH 310 Number Theory 3
MATH 369 Discrete Structures I (or Concentration Elective at 3-4 hours) 3-4
MATH 380 History of Mathematics 3
ESSL 200 Essential Speech 1
ESSL 290 Maverick Milestone 3
 Semester Credit Hours17-18
Spring Semester
EDUC 342 Pedagogy and Assessment: Secondary and K-12 3
EDUC 343 Teaching to Diversity 3
MATH 352 Advanced Calculus 3
MATH 369 Discrete Structures I (or Concentration Elective at 3-4 hours) 3-4
MATH 386 Geometries 4
 Semester Credit Hours16-17
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
EDUC 442 Integrating Literacy Across the Curriculum: Secondary and K-12 Art 3
EDUC 475 Classroom Management for K-12 Educators 1
EDUC 497 Content Methodology Practicum 3
EDUC 497C Methods of Teaching Secondary Mathematics 2
MATH 492 Senior Capstone 3
 Semester Credit Hours12
Spring Semester
EDUC 499G Teaching Internship and Colloquia: Secondary 12
 Semester Credit Hours12
 Total Semester Credit Hours119-121

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree(s).

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.