Mathematics Education Program Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is the program for?
Q: What are the requirements of the program?
Q: Can I still complete a mathematics major?
Q: What do I get when I complete the Math Education Program?
Q: What about a concentration in education?
Q: What are some strengths of the St. Olaf Math Education Program?
Q: I plan to major in another subject outside of mathematics and education. Can I still complete the Math Education Program?
Q: I’m a sophomore. Is it too late for me to start the Math Education Program?
Q: What if I’m a junior?
Q: And if I’m a senior?
Q: I am not sure that I am interested in (or ready to commit to) teaching.

Q: Who is the program for?
A: The Mathematics Education Program is primarily for students who are interested in becoming high school or middle school mathematics teachers. But many of the courses we offer are applicable to a variety of career paths (e.g., Educational Psychology).

Q: What are the requirements of the program?
A: Students in the Mathematics Education Program will take a course load of a regular mathematics major, plus additional courses in the Education Department. They also complete a full semester of student teaching during their senior year (or 9th semester). For a complete list of course requirements, click here.

Q: Can I still complete a mathematics major?
A: At St. Olaf, a math education student is a math major (with a second major in education). In fact, this is one of the strengths of our program — in many colleges, math education is a separate major with fewer and/or lower-level mathematics courses than are taken by math majors. Not so at St. Olaf.

Q: What do I get when I complete the Math Education Program?
A: Students who complete the Mathematics Education Program will earn a double major in mathematics and in education. They will also obtain a secondary (grades 5-12) mathematics teaching license.

Q: What about a concentration in education?
A: Yes, the Education Department offers the Educational Studies Concentration. But the concentration does not lead to a teaching license.

Q: What are some strengths of the St. Olaf Math Education Program?
A: Too many to mention! But some of them are listed below:

• For one thing, you complete a full mathematics major — this gives you instant credibility as a “content expert” and makes you extremely attractive as a teaching job candidate. (In fact, St. Olaf graduates are highly sought after by schools in Minnesota and beyond.)
• Our students also gain a lot of “field experiences” in secondary schools, not only during their student teaching semester, but from very early on in the program. The more time you spend in classrooms, the more comfortable you’ll feel as a beginning teacher.
• Our courses are taught by professors who have teaching experience in a wide range of grade levels and are still very much connected with the latest trends in today’s K-12 schools.
• Oh, and we have an interim course called Multicultural Education in Hawaii. (Yes, it’s an off-campus course!)

Q: I plan to major in another subject outside of mathematics and education. Can I still complete the Math Education Program?
A: It is possible to work out a plan (it’s certainly worth a try!), but early and careful planning is necessary. Please contact me as soon as possible so we can start thinking about your schedule.

Q: I’m a sophomore. Is it too late for me to start the Math Education Program?
A: If you’re a sophomore, it’s definitely not too late. In fact, most students in the program take their first Education class (typically ED290, Educational Psychology) during their sophomore year.

Q: What if I’m a junior?
A: If you’re a junior, you should be able to complete the Math Education Program with careful planning, especially if you’ve already been taking the required mathematics courses towards your math major. Alternatively, you might consider applying to BSME.

Q: And if I’m a senior?
A: If you’re a senior, it is likely too late to complete the Math Education Program at St. Olaf. But there are many other paths you can take towards becoming a math teacher (e.g., earning a Master of Arts in Teaching degree). Moreover, taking ED290, Educational Psychology, will help you in your teaching career, even if you do not take any other Education classes at St. Olaf. In any case, I would be happy to meet with you and discuss your options — either here at St. Olaf or elsewhere.

Q: I am not sure that I am interested in (or ready to commit to) teaching.
A: Keep your options open by taking mathematics courses that will count toward both math education and the regular math major. Also, a few of the introductory courses in education count for general education (GE) requirements and are valuable for everyone, not just future teachers.