SMTC Masters of Science in Natural Science - Middle Level Math Concentration (MMA)
Program Information:
The SMTC Masters of Science in Natural Science Middle Level Math concentration was developed at the Science and Mathematics Teaching Center (SMTC) with National Science Foundation (NSF) funds, to expand math content knowledge and knowledge of appropriate pedagogy for instruction at the middle-level grades. The participant focus for this program is teachers contracted to teach mathematics at the middle-level who do not currently have a mathematics content certification/degree. Practicing teachers accepted into the program will be part of a cohort of teachers from across the state. Eight graduate classes (24 core hours) have been developed by faculty in the Colleges of Education and Arts and Science (Mathematics & Statistics) and exemplary mathematics teachers in Wyoming. The content courses can be used as professional development towards meeting the federal definition of a "highly qualified" teacher. Additionally, PTSB is continuing to use this Middle Level Math program as a model in developing middle school standards.
The MMA courses are offered on a 2-year rotation. Half are offered in the fall and spring semesters via distance learning utilizing Ecompanion and Elluminate. The other half are offered on the University of Wyoming Campus during three weeks in June. Each new cohort of students is accepted to begin in the summer of each year. Depending on enrollment in the program new students may be accepted in the fall or spring semesters.
The MS NS - Math program must include 30 hours of course work with a:
- Minimum of 24 hours in mathematics and mathematics education
- 15 hours in natural sciences (NASC prefix)
- 9 hours from appropriate science and mathematics courses in other department
- 6 additional Graduate Credits
- Completion of a Plan B (non-thesis) paper
Teaching Endorsement Options
Short Course Descriptions
Plan B Paper Guidelines
Spring 2013
NASC 5205 Methods for Teaching Middle Level Math (3)
Summer 2013 (Courses will begin June 10th and go through June 28th)
NASC 5170 Connecting Geometry (3)
NASC 5225 Assessment (3)
Fall 2013
MATH 5190 Mathematics of Change (3)
Spring 2014
MATH 5140 Numbers and Operations (3)
Summer 2014
NASC 5215 Technology (3)
NASC 5185 Analysis of Data (3)
Fall 2014
Math 5160 Social and Historical Issues (3)
Applications are now closed for the 2013 Summer Session. To apply for the Fall 2013 session, please follow the directions below.
How to Apply:
A)
Fill out the brief information form here. After you have submitted this
information, the UW Admissions Office will send you an email with a username
and password that you will use to access the rest of the application. The email
will also contain a link to the application.
B)
The application has ten parts – you do not need
to fill it out in one sitting and can save the application and come back at any
time to finish it or to make changes. You must fill out the queries that have a
red bar next to them. The rest of the information is voluntary, but it is
helpful if you fill out everything so that we don’t have to contact you later
for that information. Completed applications are due by July 1, 2013.
Please Follow These Instructions Carefully
- Personal Information – Name, contact
information, etc.
- Application – for “Site” you must select
“Outreach”. Even though the application will not require you to select this
before you move on to the next part of the application, it is very important
for SMTC purposes and will prevent complications later when you try to register
for classes.
- Academic Information – for “Program of Study”
you must select “Natural Science MS – College of Education (Middle Level Math)”. Under “Start of
Term” select whatever term you anticipate beginning classes in. Do not put
anything under the “Additional Areas of Interest” drop down.
- Sensitive Information
- Residency Information
- Post-Secondary Information – this section asks
you where you graduated from college. If you went to a community college for
any class, you must include that information here as well. Even if your
community college classes were transferred over to the college that you
received your bachelor’s degree from, we must have official transcripts sent
from that community college. You can also self-report your GPA and GRE scores*
on this page – we prefer that you do so that we can make our admission decision
in a timelier manner. If accepted, then we will require official transcripts
(one of which must have proof of bachelor’s degree on it) and official test
scores to be sent at that time.
- Inquiry and Payment Information – this section
asks how you heard about the program that you are applying to and the reasons
for applying. Additionally, there is a one-time $50 application fee that you
must pay for your application to be processed.
- After you have paid the fee, another screen will
pop up where you can upload documents. This is where you can upload any
unofficial transcripts or test scores (again, if accepted into the program you
will need to send official documents), a current resume, and it is also where
you need to upload the Writing Sample for our program, which can be found here.
- The next screen is a place where you put your
recommenders information. The SMTC requires four letters of recommendation –
three that can be from anyone with whom you have worked professionally, and one
that needs to be from a school administrator in support of you joining our
program. When you get to this screen, please click “Add New Recommender” and
then fill out the fields that follow – the system will then send an email to
your recommender with the form that they need to fill out and submit. If your
recommenders would prefer to fill out hard copies of the form, it can be found here. Please have recommenders submit
any hard copies to the SMTC Office Associate.
- Finally, there is an Admissions Agreement at the
end of the application that you must agree to before hitting “Submit”. Before you hit the submit button, please
make sure that all of your application materials have been uploaded. These
materials include: unofficial transcripts, unofficial GRE scores*, writing
sample, current resume, and four letters of recommendation (one which must be
from a school administrator).
C) All application materials must be received by July 1, 2013.
*The SMTC does provide an
alternative option to the GRE. It is called an Alternative Portfolio and the
instructions and rubric can be found here.
If you are interested in this option, please email the SMTC Office Associate
for more information.
