2016-2017

Teaching Introductory Community College Mathematics, Graduate Certificate

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

The Teaching Introductory Community College Mathematics Graduate Certificate is an 18 credit hour program that is intended to provide background for teaching developmental and introductory mathematics at or below the community college 100 level.

    • Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many graduate certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
    • No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 - 4 units) may be used on a graduate certificate program.
    • No more than twenty-five percent of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
    • A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
    • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a Grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
    • A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
    • Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College.
  • Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates, if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program).  See the “Details” tab for additional information.

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.

Minimum Units for Completion 18
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Teach introductory college mathematics with sufficient depth and rigor.
  • Generate rich problems and learning activities for college mathematics students.
  • Make use of multiple perspectives to explain mathematical concepts.
  • Express connections between formal mathematical content and means of teaching mathematical content.
  • Use technology to enhance teaching and learning of introductory college mathematics.
  • Plan for and respond to non-standard questions.
  • Make use of self-reflection for continual improvement of teaching practices.

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • Must have completed at least 23 hours of undergraduate mathematics and statistics coursework at the level of calculus and above with a grade of C or better, and have at least a 3.0 grade point average in these courses.
    • These 23 credit hours cannot include the teaching methods courses and must include Calculus II, Foundations of Mathematics, and at least 9 hours of upper division proof-based coursework (including Foundations of Mathematics).
    • List of courses taken in the field with titles/authors of textbooks used.
Certificate Requirements
  • Federal financial aid cannot be used for this certificate.

  • 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.