Teacher Education (Secondary Certification)
Note: The Secondary Certification Emphasis is designed to prepare future educators to teach both middle school and high school mathematics. In F24, the program was updated to align with the Michigan Department of Education's (MDE's) new grade-band structure and program requirements. Information about both programs appears below.
Overview
2024-25 and beyond
The Major in Mathematics with Secondary Certification emphasis prepares students to teach mathematics in grades 5-12 (or 5-9 if you select the single-band track). The 4-year curriculum leads to a double-major in mathematics and educational studies.
The math, math education, and educational studies coursework intertwine to steadily develop teacher candidates’ knowledge and skills in many important areas. Through our courses, you will:
- Learn from instructors who use teaching methods and technology relevant to secondary classrooms, such as math investigations and workshops, small group work, visibly random groups at vertical whiteboards, standards-based grading, flipped classrooms, and technology tools such as Desmos, Geogebra, and CODAP.
- Study and experience popular instructional routines like notice & wonder, think-pair-share, which one doesn’t belong (WODB), number talks, problem strings, etc.
- Experience a variety of innovative lesson planning frameworks designed to engage all learners and build positive mathematical identities, such as Complex Instruction (CI), Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC), and “Minds On” Math Workshop.
- Learn to design high-quality engaging learning experiences that enable all students to achieve at high-levels and to build conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, abstract and quantitative reasoning, strategic competence, problem solving, and more.
- Engage in sequenced field experiences that steadily build your teaching toolkit, including nearly 40 hours of course-embedded observations and teaching experiences in area schools prior to your teaching apprenticeship to ensure you are well-prepared for your apprenticeship and internship in your final year in the program.
- Receive one-on-one support during your teaching apprenticeship and internship from math education faculty with years of experience supporting new teachers and building their capacity as reflective practitioners.
In addition to the education-focused coursework, you will earn a major in mathematics with excellent mathematical preparation in calculus, linear algebra, communication and proof, discrete math, geometry, statistics, and modern algebra. Our math courses are taught by award-winning mathematics faculty who are passionate about teaching mathematics.
Our teaching emphases have been awarded National Recognition status (recognized through 2027) by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) / Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
For additional information about secondary math education programs at GVSU, please visit the CLAS Advising Center's Teachable Options & Resources page.
Pre-2024
Candidates whose calendar year is 2023-24 or earlier who selected the Math Major with Secondary Education emphasis and who complete their degree by 2029 and pass the relevant MTTC test will earn certification to teach grades mathematics in grades 6-12.
These candidates earn a double major in Mathematics and Educational Studies and complete a separate teachable minor. Program completers enter the teaching profession with a deep base of mathematical knowledge and a wealth of practical experiences with lesson planning, instruction, classroom management, assessment, and evaluation, and they are well-versed in curriculum standards (e.g., Common Core Standards, NCTM Standards) and educational research.
Resources
Information for students regarding teacher certification.
Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Resources
Students who plan to earn a Michigan teaching certificate must pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) in each endorsement area. GVSU strongly recommends taking the math MTTC test(s) as soon as possible after finishing your math courses, ideally before (or early in) your EDI 331 Apprenticeship (TA), while the knowledge is still fresh.
Education Guide for Students Desiring to Be K-12 Math TeachersPrepared by Anna Stover '21.
Degree Planning for Secondary Certification
Program Flow Chart for Dual Band (5-12)
Program Flow Chart for Single Band (5-9)
These flow charts help you navigate the required coursework for the Secondary Certification Emphasis.
The official catalog description of the Major in Mathematics - Secondary Certification Emphasis.
Degree Checklist for 2023-2024 catalog year
Degree Checklist for Dual Band (5-12)
Degree Checklist for Single Band (5-9)
These checklists helps you keep track of fulfilled requirements and the courses you've taken.
These guides display the order/semesters you should take courses to complete your degree in 4 years, depending on your first math course.
This plan highlights which semester(s) and times we intend to offer math courses. Please check with your advisor regularly about your plan of study.