Graduate Program Information
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Curriculum program plans shown reflect current degree requirements. Previous academic year requirements can be accessed from the catalog page by choosing the appropriate academic year.
Specialist in Education in Mathematic Education
| Major Code: | 8927 | Degree Awarded: | Specialist in Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Classroom, Field | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
The primary emphasis of the specialist in education degree is on the development of specific competencies needed in mathematics education.
Admission Requirements
The applicant to the specialist in education program must hold a master’s degree in mathematics or education, with mathematics as the teaching area.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Degree Requirements
A candidate for the specialist in education degree must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better in a 30-credit-hour program. Although research methodologies are included in the curriculum, no thesis is required. A three-member committee appointed by the department head and approved by the graduate programs office gives a final examination in the last semester of enrollment. A student can transfer up to 12 hours of graduate credit from other approved institutions offering at least the specialist in education degree.
Curriculum
Candidates for the specialist in education degree must complete 30 credit hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree as follows:
Current Research and Methodologies in Mathematics Education (9 credit hours)
Must be taken at Florida Tech; exceptions may be considered only through a written petition to be reviewed by the department’s graduate faculty.
| EDS 5070 | Educational Statistics | 3 |
| EDS 5095 | Essentials of Educational Research | 3 |
| EDS 5203 | Theories and Trends in Education | 3 |
Mathematics (9 credit hours)
The candidate must have earned a minimum of 21 master’s degree-eligible credit hours in mathematics beyond the bachelor’s degree. These credit hours include the nine specifically required for the specialist degree and any other credit hours from approved post-baccalaureate mathematics courses.
Education (9 credit hours)
Approved by the head of the department.
Electives (3 credit hours)
Each student chooses an elective to fit a particular certification and/or interest area.
Master of Science in Mathematics Education
| Major Code: | 8127 | Degree Awarded: | Specialist in Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Classroom, Field | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
The master’s program for students holding bachelor’s degrees in mathematics includes advanced graduate training in mathematics, in addition to courses designed to develop and improve education knowledge and skills. One program offers regular graduate work in mathematics and education while also providing the necessary course requirements for state certification of secondary schoolteachers. A second program is designed for those not wishing to teach in a secondary school and does not lead to certification.
The program for students holding bachelor’s degrees in mathematics education includes courses for teachers in mathematics, in addition to advanced graduate courses in mathematics education. The mathematics courses are designed to develop and upgrade subject matter knowledge. The mathematics education courses complement previous educational experience.
Admission Requirements
The master’s program is designed for individuals holding bachelor’s degrees either in mathematics or in middle or secondary school mathematics education.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Degree Requirements
The master of science degree requires successful completion of 30 credit hours including six credit hours of thesis, or 33 credit hours including three credit hours of research. The thesis option concludes with an oral thesis presentation/defense. The nonthesis option concludes with an oral final program examination or an oral final program examination and a written final program examination.
Curriculum
The following courses are required and must be taken at Florida Tech. Exceptions may be considered only through a written petition to be reviewed by the department’s graduate faculty:
| EDS 5070 | Educational Statistics | 3 |
| EDS 5095 | Essentials of Educational Research | 3 |
| EDS 5203 | Theories and Trends in Education | 3 |
A minimum of three mathematics courses (9 credit hours) is required.
A minimum of two additional graduate education courses (6 credit hours) and six credit hours of Thesis (EDS 5999) are required for the thesis option.
A minimum of three additional graduate education courses (9 credit hours), three credit hours of electives and three credit hours of Research (EDS 5081) are required for the nonthesis option.
With departmental approval, up to six credit hours of senior-level courses can be applied toward the master of science program. Any schedule that would meet these requirements within a seven-year period is acceptable. Any combination of part-time and/or full-time semesters may be used, as well as any combination of evening and summer courses. The following is an example of a common schedule (nonthesis option):
| FALL | CREDITS | |
| EDS 5095 | Essentials of Educational Research | 3 |
| Education Electives | 6 | |
| Restricted Elective (MTH) | 3 | |
| 12 | ||
| SPRING | CREDITS | |
| EDS 5070 | Educational Statistics | 3 |
| EDS 5203 | Theories and Trends in Education | 3 |
| Education Elective | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective (MTH) | 3 | |
| 12 | ||
| SUMMER | CREDITS | |
| EDS 5081 | Research 1 | 3 |
| Restricted Elective (MTH) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| 9 | ||
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 33