2021-2022

Mathematics Secondary Education, Minor

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Students in this minor deepen their mathematical knowledge and understanding, and also learn teaching methods.

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 19
Major GPA C
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 402

Purpose Statement

The minor in mathematics education will prepare students who are interested in getting certified to teach in a secondary school in an area other than mathematics, and want to learn about mathematics teaching and learning.  This minor does not lead to certification in itself.  A minor in mathematics education will also prepare students majoring in mathematics or science to teach in a private school without certification. The successful student will learn the fundamentals of calculus to give context to the prerequisite material they will be teaching their future students.  In their mathematics education courses, current best practices of teaching mathematics at the secondary level will be covered, including teaching strategies, problem solving, the use of technology, and professional conduct. 


Student Learning Outcomes

  • Diversity: Special Education; English Language Learner; Culture
  • Implement: Inquiry/non-inquiry; Questioning; Management; Presentation Skills; Accommodation; Flexibility
  •  Students: Caring Empathetic Attitude; Equity-Valuing all Students; Understand Students; Value Inquiry & Hands - On Lessons
  • Analysis: Analysis of Student Learning; Analysis of Student Behavior; Analysis of Student Response; Analysis of Student Engagement
  • Assessment: Research; Student Misconceptions; Types of Assessment
  • Basic Skills: Reading; Writing; speaking
  • Legal/Ethical: Safety; Reporting Student Conduct
  • Math and Science: Deep & Connected; General Content Knowledge; Nature of the Discipline; Process Standards; Syntactic knowledge; Modeling
  • Pedagogical: Research; Developmental A & S Interpret & Apply Standards; Making Content Assessable; Curriculum Resources; Teaching Strategies
  • Planning: Instructional Strategies; Sequencing; Learning Goals; Questioning; Assessment; Management; Unit sequencing; Metacognition; Curriculum Analysis
  • Profession: Value Application of Technology; Dress Professionally; Ethical - Academic Integrity; Time Management & Responsibility; Team Player/Collaborate
  • Self: Life - Long Learner; Reflective Practitioner; Flexibility & Adaptability; Open to Change; Hard Working Effective; Time Management
  • Teach and Learn: Problem Solving; Metacognition Instructional Strategies; General Pedagogical Knowledge; Classroom Management
  • Technology: Research; Pedagogically Appropriate
  • Ability to communicate mathematics clearly
  • Breadth and depth of mathematical knowledge
  • Facility with mathematical reasoning

Minor Requirements

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.