Mathematics
Certification Course Requirements
Upon completing an approved program and taking all ISBE tests, you will earn a secondary certificate (type 09) with an endorsement in Mathematics. You will be “highly 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.
The requirements listed below reflect the most recent information from the Mathematics department. You are advised to consult the IWU catalog and your major advisor regarding current requirements for your graduating class.
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.
| First year, spring semester or sophomore year, fall semester | Educ 225 | Education and Social Justice (CSI) |
| Sophomore year, fall or spring | Educ 255 | Studying Children and Adolescents (WI) |
| Sophomore year, spring or junior year, fall | Educ 260 | Middle School Philosophy (elective; required for middle school endorsement) |
| Junior year, spring | Curriculum and Pedagogy in Mathematics and the Natural Sciences | |
| Senior year, fall |
Educ 490
Educ 494 |
Student Teaching Seminar Student Teaching: Mathematics |
| Senior year spring ** | Educ 498 | Educational Inquiry (WI) |
**Ninth semester graduates only may take Educ 498 prior to student teaching during the spring semester of the senior year, with department approval.
Middle School Endorsement Option
Mathematics candidates wishing to teach subject specific grades 6-8 must complete Middle School Philosophy (Ed 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 351: Middle School Mathematics
°At least four courses from four of the areas listed below:
- Calculus (Math 161 or Math 165)
- Modern Algebra (Math 405) or Number Theory (Math 389)
- Geometry (Math 425)
- 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.
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 your students. You 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 mathematics 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 your faculty advisor in Mathematics in order to tailor a program suited to your academic needs.
The requirements listed below reflect the most recent information from the Mathematics department. You are advised to consult the IWU catalog and your major advisor regarding current requirements for your graduating class.
One of the following calculus sequences:
| Math 161, 162, 263, and 264 | Calculus: Traditional Sequence |
| Math 165, 166, and 267 | Analysis |
Additional core courses: (complete 200 & 215 by end of second year)
| Math 200 | Techniques of Mathematical Proof (W) |
| Math 215 | Linear Algebra |
Two of the following courses (at least one must be taken during the senior year):
| Math 405** | Modern Algebra |
| Math 410 | Complex Analysis |
| Math 415 | Intro. to Real Analysis |
| Math 425** | Topics in Geometry |
| Math 440 | Topology |
| Math 470* | Special Topics |
Four additional electives, chosen from the 400-level courses above and the following list:
| Math 300 | Mathematical Modeling |
| Math 307 | Numerical Analysis |
| Math 310 | Combinatorics |
| Math 311 | Parallel Computing |
| Math 324** | Probability |
| Math 325 | Mathematical Statistics |
| Math 330 | Linear Programming |
| Math 340 | Differential Equations |
| Math 351 | Wavelet Analysis |
| Math 360 | Topics in Logic |
*Only the Special Topics (470) courses that have been approved by the Mathematics Department will count towards the major requirements. Check with your advisor in Mathematics before enrolling in a special topics course.
**It is recommended that candidates for a secondary certificate in Mathematics complete Math 324 (Probability), Math 405 (Modern Algebra), and Math 425 (Topics in Geometry) as part of their major requirements.
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 Endorsements
Mathematics candidates seeking middle school endorsements in other content areas should speak with your Educational Studies advisor.
You may also 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.