Studying at a national research university gives you access to an extraordinary range of opportunities.

In the mathematics program, you can:

• Learn from professors who are published experts in analysis/differential equations, computational math, discrete math, mathematical modeling, math education, optimization, probability, and statistics.
• Join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.
• The Owen Science and Engineering Library subscribes to more than 200 math journals, and there are 15,000 volumes in the math section of the library.
• Use the math department's research-computing stations to assist faculty on research projects ranging from atmospheric science to genetics.
• The math department maintains strong computing facilities that are readily available to students.
• FREE tutor-assisted study halls are available at times most convenient for students. Check the Department of Mathematics study hall page at the beginning of each semester for locations and times.

In the University's teacher education program, you can:

• Make connections through professors who have collaborative relationships with more than 150 school districts statewide.
• Participate in the Alhadeff Future Teachers of Color program, designed to address the under-representation of multicultural educators in the state of Washington.
• Access the most innovative education technologies and the latest classroom facilities.
• Find classroom teaching opportunities in every region of Washington, as well as in some English-speaking schools overseas. WSU is the only school in the state to offer all these options.
• Get the most up-to-date knowledge of effective teaching, student learning, and educational reform.
• Get first-hand experience through 200 practicum hours integrated throughout the program and a full semester of student teaching.

The core courses in the mathematics major's teaching track prepare you for the topics you're likely to be teaching in your own classroom.

Core courses for math teaching

An overview of core mathematics teaching courses:

Calculus I, II, and II
Discrete Structures
Elementary Modern Algebra
Introductory Linear Algebra
Algebraic Structures

Mathematical Computing
Intro to Mathematical Reasoning
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Higher Geometry
Probability and Statistics

Methods of Teaching Secondary School Math
Intersections of Culture and Math
Math for College and Secondary Teachers

For more about the math program and its requirements, see the math major fact page or the math department website.

For the full sequence of teacher certification courses, see the Teacher Education Program's web page.

Graduation requirements

See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

To qualify to teach mathematics in middle school and high school, you'll need a bachelor's degree in the subject and secondary education teacher certification.

The math major at WSU includes a teaching track that integrates the major's requirements with the professional education program's certification requirements. The courses in the teacher education program prepare you to pass the Washington state teacher certification exam and run a classroom of your own.

Here's an overview of the professional education program's core courses:

Secondary education core requirements

The professional education course work begins with three prerequisite courses:

Writing and Research
Learning and Development
Initial Practicum Experience

After successfully completing the prerequisites, you can apply to the teacher education program in the College of Education.

Curriculum, Instruction and Content Literacy Methods
Teaching English Language Learners for Secondary Teachers
Secondary Methods of Educational Technology

Adolescence, Community, and School
Classroom Assessment for Secondary Students
Advanced Practicum
Special Education, Transition, and Classroom Management for Secondary General Education Teachers
Student Teaching

For the full sequence of teacher certification courses, see the Teacher Education Program's web page.

Graduation requirements

See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.

For all students at WSU

Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.

To get all the financial help WSU can provide, you'll need to do these two things:

• Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need.

More about scholarships and financial aid

For students in math teaching

In addition to general scholarships, WSU offers scholarships specifically for math and teaching majors.

For math majors, endowed scholarships are available from the Department of Mathematics and the College of Arts and Sciences.

The College of Education distributes funds from 13 endowed scholarships to approximately 100 teacher education students every semester. For more information about these scholarships, call the College of Education at 509-335-7843 or e-mail beateacher@wsu.edu.

WSU offers plenty of opportunities to meet other people who share your goals and interests. Here are a few that might interest you:

• Math Club: A support group for math students that sponsors speakers, films, and other activities
• Women in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering: A group that offers support and enrichment programs
• The Washington State University national math modeling team
• The national Putnam mathematics competition

The Educators Club, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Alhadeff Future Teachers of Color are pre-professional organizations run by education students for education students. All future teachers are invited to join and participate. More about education student organizations.

Suggested preparation

Take four years of mathematics in high school through at least pre-calculus. Most mathematics majors begin with first or second semester calculus (Math 171 or 172) at WSU.

Take two years of a foreign language in high school; this will help you meet a WSU graduation requirement.

Strengths and interests

Future teachers should:

• Care about children and have the desire to make a real difference in the world.
• Enjoy working with children and parents.
• Be able to communicate well in person and in writing.

Math teachers may teach in public or private schools worldwide. Further study opens up possibilities as a coach, counselor, principal, or other administrative positions in schools.