Mathematics, Teacher of Mathematics Licensure (5-8), B.A.

Licensure for Teacher of Mathematics (5-8)

Westfield State University is nationally accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) at the initial and advanced levels.

The Westfield State University program for licensure for teachers of Mathematics has been recognized by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Westfield State University’s teacher education programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Student progress toward meeting Advanced Standing in Teacher Education is monitored at the end of the sophomore year (57 credits). All students must meet the requirements for Advanced Standing to achieve teacher candidacy. Please see the section on Licensure for Teacher Education .

In order to be eligible for student teaching, a student must have completed all required course and field work, have an overall GPA of 2.8 (including transfer work), and have a passing grade in the appropriate Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (i.e., Communication and Literacy and subject matter tests).

Undergraduate Mathematics Majors Who Wish to be Certified to Teach Mathematics at the Middle School Level Must:

Choose their math major electives to satisfy the teacher licensure requirements;
Complete the Professional Sequence for Middle School, described in the Education Department listings;
Include the following courses among their seven 300-level mathematics electives in order to satisfy teacher licensure requirements:
Complete the following SMK courses:
- MATH 0204 - Exploring the Mathematical Knowledge of Teaching I
- MATH 0205 - Exploring the Mathematical Knowledge of Teaching II

Requirements for Mathematics Majors

Requirements - 54 Credits

MATH 0100 - First-Year Seminar Credits: 2
MATH 0105 - Calculus I Credits: 4
MATH 0106 - Calculus II Credits: 4
MATH 0201 - Calculus III Credits: 4
EXPL 0216 - Ways of Knowing: Views Through the Lenses of Mathematics and Science Credits: 3
MATH 0218 - Linear Algebra Credits: 3
MATH 0300 - Discrete Mathematics with Proofs Credits: 3
MATH 0310 - Career Preparation Credits: 1
Seven (7) additional 0300‑level mathematics courses. Internship (MATH 0398 ) and MATH 0310 credits cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.

Nine (9) additional credits. Students may count a combination of:
- Up to 9 of the 12 practicum credits, or
- Up to 9 Internship credits (MATH 0398 ), or
- Any 300-level Math classes excluding MATH 0300 and MATH 0310 , or
- Appropriate 300-level classes in other departments may be used to satisfy these requirements with permission of advisor and chair.
A minimum of six (6) 300-level mathematics courses, excluding MATH 0300 and MATH 0310 , must be taken in the Mathematics Department at Westfield State University.

Note:

No more than 6 credits of MATH 0399 and no more than 3 credits of MATH 0360 may be used to satisfy the math major.

Professional Sequence: Middle (Grades 5-8)

The Professional Sequence for Middle must be completed by students intending to teach an academic subject area in the middle school. Students must complete an academic major in the subject area in which the licensure is sought.

Pedagogical Coursework

An overall 2.8 GPA plus a 3.0 GPA in the pedagogical sequence specific to your licensure program prior to practicum is required. Consult with the department on which courses are classified as part of the pedagogy requirements.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core .