Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (4-8 Mathematics Certification)

Website: https://twu.edu/mathematics/undergraduate-programs/

The B.S. in Mathematics with 4-8 Mathematics Certification program prepares educators to expand their understanding of mathematics through the study of a wide variety of mathematics and receive pedagogical preparation within a mathematical context.  The need for quality 4-8 mathematical teachers in our schools is great and abundant career opportunities exist for qualified individuals.  At TWU, small class sizes provide quality learning environments and active engagement with university faculty.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

Degree Skills

  1. Apply mathematical theories and techniques to the solution of practical problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields.
  2. Develop mathematical or statistical models of phenomena to be used for analysis or for computational simulation.
  3. Determine appropriate methods for data analysis.
  4. Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
  5. Demonstrate personal accountability and work habits, integrity, and ethical behavior.
  6. Assemble sets of assumptions and explore the consequences of each set.
  7. Proficient in the software tools to achieve the skills listed, such as Matlab and R, SAS, SPSS, modeling software.

Teacher Certification Skills

  1. Appropriately explain the impact of effective planning and communication (within the chosen area of concentration) to relevant internal and external stakeholders in an education or community setting.
  2. Identify, select, and implement entry-level instructional plans when serving as an instructor in the school setting.
  3. Successfully manage organizational and student behavior when teaching in the school setting.
  4. Efficiently and accurately assess student progress and use data to develop and modify instruction for K-12 students.
  5. Work effectively and collaboratively with students and families from diverse backgrounds.

Admissions

Teacher Certification

Application Deadlines

There are three application periods per year (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Students must have their applications in by the deadline the semester before they intend to take ECE 3223 (EC-3 only), EDUC 3003, EDUC 3482, or READ 4223 (EC-3 only).  (see schedule below).

Spring Application Deadlines*  (Admission to the EDUC 3000s Summer)
  • May 1 - Deadline to apply for Summer admission
  • May 31 - Deadline for Transfer Grades, Grade Changes, or Any Other Requirement
Summer Application Deadlines  (Admission to the EDUC 3000s Fall)
  • July 1 - Deadline to apply for Fall admission
  • July 31 - Deadline for Transfer Grades, Grade Changes, or Any Other Requirement
Fall Application Deadlines*  (Admission to the EDUC 3000s Spring)
  • December 1 - Deadline to apply for Spring admission
  • December 21 - Deadline for Transfer Grades, Grade Changes, or Any Other Requirement

Guidelines

Please adhere to the following guidelines: 

  • We recommend preparing your application well in advance of the deadline. That way you will be able to identify and resolve any potential issues before the deadline date. 
  • If you intend to register early for ECE 3223 (EC-3 only), EDUC 3003, EDUC 3482, or READ 4223 (EC-3 only) for the Summer or Fall semesters and have met all admission requirements, it is recommended that you apply to the EPP by December 1.
  • If you apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program while enrolled in EDUC 2003 or are taking coursework to increase your GPA to a 2.75, the Office of Educator Preparation Services will process your application. If the GPA requirement, along with all other admission requirements are met at the end of the semester, an admission decision will be made at that time.
  • No late applications will be accepted. If the deadline date falls on a weekend or a day that TWU is closed, applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on the next day that TWU is open after the deadline day.

Requirements

In addition to the general undergraduate admissions requirements, to obtain acceptance into the undergraduate Educator Preparation Program (and prior to taking ECE 3223 (EC-3 only), EDUC 3003, EDUC 3482, EDUC 4113, EDUC 4243, READ 4223 (EC-3 only), and Clinical Student Teaching) students must have:

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.75 (includes all courses, whether posted to TWU transcript or used on a degree plan. Excludes developmental and repeated courses);

  • Demonstrated basic skills in reading, written communication, and mathematics by meeting the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative;

  • A minimum of 12 to 15 semester credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought;

  • Completed EDUC 2003 with a C or higher;

  • Completed department application for admission to the Educator Preparation Program in Tk20;

  • Completed the Digital Literacy Pre-assessment;

  • Submitted a non-refundable Texas Education Agency Fee;

  • Completed a Commitment Contract acknowledging awareness and understanding of the Professional Dispositions Policy and Educators’ Code of Ethics;

  • Successfully completed a pre-admission departmental interview with an interview panel; and

  • Acknowledged and accepted admission to the Educator Preparation Program.

Please note:

  • All accepted students must maintain the admission requirements to remain in the TWU Education Preparation Program.
  • Admission requirements are determined by Texas Education Agency policies and are subject to change without notice.
  • Students seeking Bilingual certification must meet minimum proficiency in Spanish.
  • Students seeking Deaf/Hard of Hearing certification must meet minimum proficiency in sign.

All admission decisions are based on the successful completion of the above requirements. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor other than a minor traffic violation may affect certification. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Texas Education Agency. Any previous or current issues of academic dishonesty, disruptive behavior, or professional dispositions infractions at TWU, another university, or another Educator Preparation Program may result in denial of admission. Any decision may be appealed by contacting the Office of Educator Preparation Services at 940-898-2829.

Contact the Office of Educator Preparation Services (OEPS) at copeadvising@twu.edu or 940-898-2829 with any questions.

Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Requirements

  • Candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator. [19 TAC §227.1(b)(1)]
  • Candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching. [19 TAC §227.1(b)(2)]
  • The potential ineligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense for issuance of a certificate. [19 TAC §227.1(d)(1)]
  • The right to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation from TEA. [19 TAC §227.1(d)(3)]

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 120

Major: 45 SCH  Required Minor: 29 SCH

Program Code: MATH.BS.4-8EDUC  CIP Code: 27.0101.00

Texas Core Curriculum

ENG 1013Composition I3
ENG 1023Composition II3
Mathematics3
Life & Physical Sciences6
Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
Creative Arts3
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-18653
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present3
POLS 2013U.S. National Government3
POLS 2023Texas Government3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
CAO: Women's Studies3
CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
Total SCHs42

Courses Required for Major

Required Mathematics Courses
MATH 1523Mathematics Concepts I3
MATH 1533Mathematics Concepts II3
MATH 2014Calculus I4
MATH 2024Calculus II4
MATH 3104Calculus III4
MATH 3013Discrete Mathematics3
MATH 3053Abstract Algebra3
MATH 4003Mathematical Concepts in the Educational Setting3
MATH 3073Matrix Methods3
MATH 4013Probability and Statistics3
MATH 4203Problem Solving in the Secondary STEM Classroom3
MATH 4303Algebra in the Mathematics Classroom3
MATH 3083Elementary Number Theory3
MATH 3003A Survey of Geometry3
Total SCHs45

Departmental Requirements 

CSCI 3013Applied Computational Thinking3
Total SCHs3

Professional Education Studies

Admission to the Educator Preparation Program is required. Students must apply for admission into the Educator Preparation Program prior to enrolling in EDUC 3003/EDUC 3482, EDUC 4113/EDUC 4243, and EDUC 4946. Information is available from the Office of Educator Preparation Services.

Pedagogical and Professional Responsibility
EDUC 2003Schools and Society3
EDUC 3003Learning Theory and Development3
EDUC 3482Teaching Diverse Learners Through Technology Integration2
EDUC 4113Design and Implementation of Instruction and Assessment3
EDUC 4243Classroom Environment and Management3
EDUC 4946Clinical Student Teaching6
Related Studies in Education
EDSP 3203Learners with Exceptionalities3
READ 3013Literacy and Learning across the Curriculum3
READ 3423Literacy Foundations: 4-83
Total SCHs29

Notes:

  1. EDUC 2003 may be taken at a community college. Check with the Office of Educator Preparation Services to make sure the course has the equivalent number.
  2. EDUC 4113 and EDUC 4243 must be taken during the same semester.

Recommended Plan of Study

First Year
FallTCCNSCHs
MATH 1523Mathematics Concepts I MATH 13503
ENG 1013Composition I ENGL 13013
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-1865 HIST 13013
POLS 2013U.S. National Government GOVT 23053
UNIV 1231Learning Frameworks: the First-Year Seminar EDUC 1100, EDUC 1200, EDUC 13001
MATH 2014Calculus I MATH 24134
 SCHs 17
SpringTCCN
MATH 1533Mathematics Concepts II MATH 13513
ENG 1023Composition II ENGL 13023
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present HIST 13023
POLS 2023Texas Government GOVT 23063
Life/Physical Science Core3
MATH 2024Calculus II MATH 24144
 SCHs 19
Second Year
FallTCCN
MATH 3104Calculus III 4
MATH 4303Algebra in the Mathematics Classroom 3
EDSP 3203Learners with Exceptionalities 3
Language, Philosophy, and Culture Core3
Life/Physical Science Core3
 SCHs 16
SpringTCCN
MATH 3013Discrete Mathematics 3
READ 3423Literacy Foundations: 4-8 3
Life & Physical Sciences Core (Recommended -BIOL 1023) 
CAO: Women's Studies (Recommended - MATH 2053)3
Creative Arts Core3
Social/Behavioral Science Core3
CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
 SCHs 18
Third Year
FallTCCN
EDUC 2003Schools and Society EDUC 13013
READ 3013Literacy and Learning across the Curriculum 3
CSCI 3013Applied Computational Thinking 3
Mathematics Core3
 SCHs 12
SpringTCCN
MATH 3073Matrix Methods 3
MATH 4003Mathematical Concepts in the Educational Setting 3
MATH 4203Problem Solving in the Secondary STEM Classroom 3
EDUC 3003Learning Theory and Development 3
EDUC 3482Teaching Diverse Learners Through Technology Integration 2
MATH 3083Elementary Number Theory 3
 SCHs 17
Fourth Year
FallTCCN
MATH 3053Abstract Algebra 3
MATH 4013Probability and Statistics 3
EDUC 4113Design and Implementation of Instruction and Assessment 3
EDUC 4243Classroom Environment and Management 3
MATH 3003A Survey of Geometry 3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
EDUC 4946Clinical Student Teaching 6
 SCHs 6
 Total SCHs:  120