Mathematics Degrees

Mathematics and related subjects play important dual roles in our culture. On the one hand, mathematics is a study in its own right; on the other hand it is an indispensable tool for expressing and understanding ideas in the sciences, engineering, and an increasing number of other fields.
Career Opportunities
Employment opportunities for persons with training in mathematics have been expanding in recent years. The courses offered are designed to develop the skills and competencies that not only support the skill areas needed in engineering, physical and biological sciences, but also satisfy the necessary course requirements for the first two years of a baccalaureate program.
Units required for Major: 45
Associate Degree Requirements:
English proficiency: ENGL 1A, ESL 26 or equivalent.
Mathematics proficiency: MATH 103/105 or equivalent.
A minimum of 90 units required to include:
All General Education requirements
Core courses (45 Units)
Recommended courses (optional)
Electives & other graduation requirements as appropriate.

Department of Mathematics at Florida State University offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees, the Master of Science (MS) and Master of Arts (MA) degrees, and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. Areas of specialization are mathematics, applied mathematics and actuarial mathematics.
A student in mathematics can look forward professionally to employment in an industrial or financial firm, a governmental agency, or teaching in secondary, college, or university institutions. Alternatively, a degree in the department can be regarded as the central component of liberal education, either for its own sake or as preparation for professional study in another field.
Students desiring to major in mathematics must meet the following criteria: satisfactory completion of 52 semester hours; overall 2.0 GPA; and completion of MAC1113, MAC1140 and either MAC2311 or MAD3104 with a “C-” or better in each. If you have any questions regarding this major, please contact the Mathematics Academic Coordinator, Esther Diaguila, at (850) 644-5868.
A student who has accumulated more than five grades below “C-” (including grades of “U”) in mathematics or computer science courses taken for college credit at Florida State University or elsewhere, whether repeated or not, will not be permitted to continue as a major in the department.
Mathematics courses at the 4000-level applied toward the mathematics major must be taken at Florida State University unless specifically exempted by the chair on written request.

A course of study is planned under the supervision of the student’s major professor. The dissertation is planned and conducted under the supervision of a dissertation committee chaired by the major professor. The curriculum for the doctoral student is designed on an individual basis. Typically, students take courses in mathematics education, mathematics, statistics and educational research methods, educational foundations, and a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation research. Students coming into the program with graduate hours in the above areas can typically reduce their overall course work hours in the doctoral program. There are four core doctoral seminar courses required of all doctoral students, and are offered on a rotating two-year sequence. The courses are:
MAE 6938 Mathematics Learning (3)
MAE 6939 Seminar in Mathematics Teacher Education (3)
MAE 6148 Curriculum in Mathematics Education (3)
MAE 6797 Advanced Seminar on Research in Mathematics Education (4)
Research-oriented Ph.D. study in the program prepares students for different forms of intellectual leadership in education. These different forms of intellectual leadership include research, teacher education and other teaching in higher education, and leadership positions in educational agencies. These different forms of leadership are not mutually exclusive, but the relative emphasis of each varies among students and areas and as such programs of study are very individualized with a common set of core courses.
Participation in the doctoral program requires more than coursework and a dissertation. It includes, among other things, participation in a scholarly community and collaboration with peers. In addition, a program carries with it an implicit understanding that its graduates will have both a broad and a deep understanding of the canon of knowledge that makes up our field. Such an understanding is not achieved solely from course content.
Graduate students have opportunities to take part in supervising middle and secondary mathematics student teachers, teaching undergraduate mathematics education or mathematics courses, working on state and national projects, conducting research with professors, and collaborating with Ph.D. students from around the world.

In addition to submitting an application, applicants need to send a personal statement about personal, educational and professional goals, 3 letters of recommendation, official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate coursework, and official record of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). A grade point average of 3.0 on previous graduate work AND a minimum combined score of 1100 on the GRE with a minimum quantitative score of 600 and a minimum verbal score of 500 is needed to be admitted into the program. Official TOEFL results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied in an English-speaking country for at least one academic year. A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the computer-based test, or 80 on the internet-based test is required for admission to the program. All admission materials should be sent to School of Teacher Education, Graduate Admissions, 2204 Stone Building, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4459.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mathematics Education is a planned program that allows a student to develop depth in mathematics education, mathematics, and related fields. The goals of doctoral study in Mathematics Education at Florida State University are to help students:
Acquire greater competence in mathematics education and better understanding of the teaching-learning process;
Develop abilities for research in the field of mathematics education;
Gain depth and breadth of knowledge in mathematics; and
Advance a broadened professional background in areas related to mathematics education, such as educational psychology, educational policy, technology, and the history, philosophy, and sociology of education.
The primary mission of the Ph.D. program in Mathematics Education at Florida State University is to prepare individuals for careers as college or university professors in Schools/Colleges of Education or in Departments of Mathematics where the primary responsibilities will be to conduct and direct basic research on the teaching and learning of mathematics, to teach courses to prospective and in-service mathematics teachers, and to provide service to the field at large. Graduates would also be qualified to assume positions as mathematics curriculum consultants in school districts, researchers in educational laboratories, or staff members in educational publishing companies. The Ph.D. program is designed to produce individuals who have the knowledge, competencies, and skills which enable them to (1) conduct, direct, and evaluate research related to the teaching and learning of school mathematics, (2) educate prospective and in-service teachers on the principles of teaching and learning mathematics, and, (3) teach K-16 mathematics.

Generally six semester hours are offered each term. The program requires a minimum of 32 semester hours. Each course will be offered every five semesters. The program may be completed in five semesters if a student takes all classes offered each semester. Typically each course will require at least one text. Some courses require access to software, such as Geometer’s Sketchpad, FrontPage, or Excel.

Because of the nature of course assignments, the online Specialist Degree Program in Mathematics Education is restricted to practicing middle and high school mathematics teachers and is designed to meet the needs and professional goals of those who may be preparing for leadership roles in mathematics education. Practicing middle and secondary teachers can earn, completely online, one of two advanced degrees that focus on the teaching and learning of mathematics in middle and high school. The program does not emphasize content development but focuses on mathematics teaching methods, research, pedagogy, and philosophy. Although the curriculum includes 7 hours of mathematics content for teachers, content is embedded within many of the courses. The courses are not designed to satisfy requirements for those desiring to teach community college mathematics. No travel to Tallahassee is required. Internet access is necessary with most courses requiring access to high speed internet (school LAN, DSL, or cable modem).
Prospective specialist students who have prior graduate coursework in Mathematics Education at Florida State University need to speak with a faculty member prior to submitting an application for the Specialist Program. Generally the Specialist Program is not designed for students whose masters degree are from the online Master’s program at Florida State University.

To be admitted into the Specialist Program in Mathematics Education, the prospective student will complete an application to the Florida State University. Please visit this web page for details: http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/online/prospective/apply.cfm. Students who wish to apply need to complete an application to the Florida State University. The graduate application is available online at https://admissions.fsu.edu/gradapp/. A supplemental application found at https://wapps.oddl.fsu.edu/student/supp_app/index.jsp should be completed in order for the university’s distance education program to provide assistance during the application process. Other application requirements from the School of Teacher Education are as follows:
Specialist degree applicants must have a minimum combined score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative sections on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or a 3.0 grade point average on upper division work from an accredited college or university. (However, you must take the GRE even if your GPA is 3.0 or better.)
A “Statement of Purpose,” which states your research and work experience as it relates to Mathematics Education, short and long term goals, career aspirations, and why you chose to apply to the Florida State University. This will better help the faculty evaluate your ability to perform graduate work.
A current resume.
Three letters of recommendation from faculty and/or employers who have supervised your studies/work.
A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required for admission to the Florida State University, School of Teacher Education, unless you have graduated from a university where English was the primary language. International students expecting to receive appointments as teaching assistants are required to pass a SPEAK test of spoken English as well.
University requirements include two official transcripts from institutions you have attended, a completed application, and an application fee, to be sent to the Admissions office. (Please note the final clearance for registration will not be given until we receive your final official transcript.)
All admission materials should be sent to School of Teacher Education, Graduate Admissions, 2204 Stone Building, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4459.

Because of the nature of course assignments, the online Master’s Degree Program in Mathematics Education is restricted to practicing middle and high school mathematics teachers and is designed to meet the needs and professional goals of those who may be preparing for leadership roles in mathematics education. Practicing middle and secondary teachers can earn, completely online, one of two advanced degrees that focus on the teaching and learning of mathematics in middle and high school. The program does not emphasize content development but focuses on mathematics teaching methods, research, pedagogy, and philosophy. Although the curriculum includes 7 hours of mathematics content for teachers, content is embedded within many of the courses. The courses are not designed to satisfy requirements for those desiring to teach community college mathematics. No travel to Tallahassee is required. Internet access is necessary with most courses requiring access to high speed internet (school LAN, DSL, or cable modem).

The secondary mathematics and middle grades mathematics teacher certification programs are fully approved by the Florida Department of Education and are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. All students are advised to see a program faculty member each semester as requirements are subject to revision based on changes in State Board of Education rules.