Mathematics

Upon completing an approved program and taking all ISBE tests, you will earn a Secondary Certificate (Type 09) with an endorsement in mathematics.  You are qualified to teach honors and AP courses in Mathematics, as well as lower level courses. There are no designations within this endorsement. 

While the secondary certificate is for grades 6-12, teaching grades 6-8 requires a middle school endorsement. 

Professional Education Requirements

The courses below must be taken in the sequence listed. Refer to the IWU catalog for course prerequisites. None of the courses below may be taken concurrently.

*ACM Urban Education (UEP) participants may student teach spring semester senior year, with approval.
**Ninth semester graduates and spring semester UEP candidates only may take Educ 401 during the spring semester of the junior year, with department approval.

Middle School Endorsement Option

Mathematics candidates wishing to teach subject specific grades 6-8 must complete Teaching and Learning in the Middle School (Educ 260). Coursework on early adolescent development is included in Educational Studies 255 and 260. Candidates wishing to student teach in grades 6-8 should take Educ 260 prior to student teaching, but not concurrent with Educational Studies 362.  The coursework listed below is also required.

°Educ 350: Middle School Mathematics
°At least four courses from four of the areas listed below:

• Calculus
• Modern Algebra or Number Theory (Math 405)
• Geometry
• Computer Science (any)
• Probability and Statistics (Math 324, 325)
• History of Mathematics

The courses on the prior page may include those for which you have earned AP credit or taken at other institutions, with the approval of your major advisor and the Director of Teacher Education.

General Education

While Illinois Wesleyan University general education requirements are the same as those required by all students in the College of Liberal Arts, the following courses are recommended

Major Requirements

The goal of the mathematics program is to assure that you will have both a thorough knowledge of the content areas you will be teaching, and the skills necessary to communicate effectively with you students. Students are required to be proficient in calculus and linear algebra (areas closely related to the subjects you will be teaching), and a variety of more abstract areas of modern mathematics. The more advanced courses provide depth and breadth of knowledge of the subject as a whole, as well as an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the high school curriculum. They also serve to develop the skills necessary for clarity and precision of expression.

The requirements for teacher education candidates in mathematics are designed to provide students with a reasonable amount of flexibility in course selection. Consult with faculty in mathematics in order to tailor a program suited to your academic needs.

One of the following calculus sequences:

Additional core courses:

Two of the following courses (at least one must be taken during the senior year):

Four additional electives, chosen from the 400-level courses above and the following list:

ISBE Standards

Mathematics candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the content area standards in Mathematics . The APT test, Grades 6-12 (103) is required prior to recommendation for certification. Registration can be completed on the ICTS webpage.

Second Subject Teaching Endorsements

Mathematics candidates may earn second subject endorsements only by completing the appropriate approved program. See www.iwu.edu/~edstu for specific program requirements.

Completion of endorsement requirements is noted during the entitlement process completed by the Educational Studies office.

You may, however, add endorsements to your certificate after graduation and any time during your teaching career by completing state requirements . The application form can be found here.