Mathematics and StatisticsGraduate StudiesCollege Teaching Certificate

Graduate Certificate

Teaching College Mathematics

Become familiar with modern theories of learning and research-based pedagogical strategies for the college mathematics classroom.

Students will complete coursework, teach undergraduate courses, be evaluated by experienced faculty, and write a teaching philosophy statement to better prepare them for a career involving post-secondary instruction.

Questions?

Reach out via email to mathstat.gradinfo@wsu.edu
or call us at 509-335-8645.

Eligibility

Prospective students

  • A record consistent with the admissions guidelines for the Graduate School.
  • Earned or in process of earning an undergraduate degree in statistics, mathematics, or a similar field from an accredited post-secondary institution.

Current students

  • Enrolled in a Department of Mathematics and Statistics graduate program at any WSU campus.
  • Good academic standing and a cumulative 3.0 GPA

Exceptions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Email the graduate coordinator at mathstat.gradinfo@wsu.edu for details.

If you are not currently enrolled in a WSU Department of Mathematics and Statistics graduate degree program: apply through the WSU Graduate School portal. Look for “Teaching College Mathematics” in the general graduate application.

If you are currently enrolled in a WSU Department of Mathematics and Statistics graduate program: you may submit an application for the teaching certificate program any time after completing at least four of the required courses, but no later than the beginning of the semester before you plan to complete the certificate. Details are available in the Graduate Certificate in Teaching College Mathematics Handbook.

All courses must be taken on a graded basis and cannot be completed as S/F.

Required Courses (6 credit hours total)

  • MATH 533 – Teaching College Mathematics (1 credit, taken three times)
  • MATH 532 – Advanced Mathematical Thinking (3 credits)

Elective Courses (Choose at least two, 6 credit hours total)

  • MATH 531 – Intersections of Culture and Mathematics (3 credits)
  • MATH 534 – Theories of Learning in Mathematics (3 credits)
  • MATH 535 – Research Paradigms in Mathematics Education (3 credits)
  • MATH 590 – Topics in Mathematics Education (variable credit, repeatable)

  • Two or more semesters as either an instructor of record or a teaching assistant for undergraduate mathematics courses.
    • At least one course must be a developmental course (courses listed below Math 140)
    • At least one course must be a college-level mathematics course (Math 140 and above).
  • At least two formal observations of your teaching by faculty members in the department, accompanied by a reflection by you on your pedagogical strategies in context of the formal observation.
    • Request a list of faculty available for classroom evaluations from the graduate studies coordinator at mathstat.gradinfo@wsu.edu.
  • A satisfactory written personal teaching statement, normally drafted during coursework in MATH 533.

Documentation for these requirements must be submitted to the graduate coordinator at mathstat.gradinfo@wsu.edu no later than beginning of the semester before you plan to graduate.