Bachelor of Arts in Education in Mathematics - Elementary & Middle Level

About

Prepare to teach mathematics at both the elementary and middle school levels. Completing this major and 51¸£ÀûÉç’s Elementary Education Required Core satisfies Washington State requirements for an elementary education teaching endorsement (grades K–8) and a middle-level mathematics endorsement (grades 4–9).

All candidates for certification must pass the WEST-E/NES subject matter test to receive an endorsement for certification purposes.ÌýFor complete certification requirements refer toÌýtheÌý. Course prerequisites may also apply.

Curriculum & Requirements

Applied Learning Opportunities

A math student writes a problem on a whiteboard

  • Classroom-Based Applied Learning/Simulation: Practice decision-making through simulations, role playing, and other hands-on activities in the classroom.
  • Practicums: Build hands-on skills in structured field placements—like classrooms or community agencies—that are often required for professional certification.
  • Student Employment & Leadership at 51¸£ÀûÉç:ÌýGain skills, connections, and confidence through on-campus jobs and leadership roles in student government, departments, athletics, or clubs.
  • Undergraduate Research:ÌýCollaborate with professors on real-world research projects where you ask questions, solve problems, and present what you discover.
  • Volunteerism: Give back to your community while gaining experience, building connections, and seeing how you can apply your classroom knowledge to make an impact in the world.

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official , which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Mathematics Education - Elementary/Middle Level, Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE)

51¸£ÀûÉç

Students declaring this major must select one of two concentrations for teaching endorsement: Elementary Concentration or Secondary Concentration. Regardless of the concertation selected, students must complete all required courses within the major.

Elementary Concentration:
The Elementary Concentration prepares students for an Elementary Generalist teaching endorsement (all subjects, grades K–8). Students must complete all prerequisite and required courses for the elementary education program and pass the NES Elementary Subtests I and II to qualify for teacher certification.

Students who wish to add a Middle Level Mathematics endorsement (adding mathematics only, grades 4–9) must also pass the NES Middle Grades Mathematics Test.

Secondary Concentration:
The Secondary Concentration is intended for students seeking a Middle Level Mathematics teaching endorsement only (mathematics only, grades 4–9). Students must complete all prerequisite and required courses for the secondary education program and pass the NES Middle Grades Mathematics Test to qualify for teacher certification.

Elementary Education Program Prerequisites
All prerequisite courses must have been completed within the last 6 years.
A grade ≥B- in all prerequisite courses is required for admission to the Education program.
ART IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL3
PUBLIC SPEAKING5
or  INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION3
COLLEGE COMPOSITION: ANALYSIS, RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION5
MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS I5
MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS II4
MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS III4
INTEGRATING MUSIC INTO ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM COURSES3
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS3
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY5
PEOPLES AND GOVERNANCE OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST5
INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION4
Total Credits49

Prerequisite Grade Policy: Students must have earned a grade ≥C in any course that is to be used to satisfy a prerequisite requirement for a subsequent mathematics course offered by the 51¸£ÀûÉç Department of Mathematics.

Grade Requirements: Students must receive a grade ≥C in each course used to satisfy the requirements of an undergraduate major or minor in mathematics.

Teaching Endorsements: Students seeking to be elementary education (all subjects, grades k-8) endorsed will take all major courses listed and also complete all elementary education program/course requirements.
OR
Students seeking to be middle level mathematics endorsed (grade 4-9, mathematics only) will take all major courses listed and also complete all secondary education program/course requirements.
OR
Students seeking to K-9 math endorsement (all subjects, grades k-8, and Math 4-9) will take all major courses listed and also complete all elementary education program/course requirements and pass the NES Middle Grades Mathematics Test.

Required Courses
Students can choose either elementary education concentration (grades K-8, certified all subjects) if they want to be elementary education endorsed or the secondary education concentration if they want to be only endorsed in middle level mathematics (grades 4-9, math only). Students in this major must also complete the following courses along with either the elementary education concentration or the secondary education concentration courses.
MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS I5
MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS II4
MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS III4
FUNCTIONS AND RELATIONS FOR K-8 TEACHERS5
GEOMETRY FOR THE K-8 TEACHER5
DISCRETE MATHEMATICS FOR K-8 TEACHERS4
ADVANCED MATHEMATICS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS5
PROBLEM SOLVING FOR K-8 TEACHERS4
Required Mathematics Education Courses
MATHEMATICAL DISCUSSIONS4
EARLY MATH PRACTICUM3
MATHEMATICS STUDENT TEACHING1
ASSESSMENT IN THE MATHEMATICS CLASSROOM3
MATHEMATICAL PROGRESSIONS4
Select Education Concentration53-57
Elementary Education = 53 credits, Secondary Education = 57 credits
Elementary Education Concentration
FOUNDATIONS OF ASSESSMENT
INTRODUCTION TO ELEMENTARY READING
FOUNDATIONS OF ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
LITERACY METHODS, MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL STUDIES METHODS 1: INTEGRATED LANGUAGE ARTS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL STUDIES METHODS 2: INTEGRATED SOCIAL STUDIES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
INTEGRATED STEM METHODS 1
INTEGRATED STEM METHODS 2
FIELD EXPERIENCE 1
FIELD EXPERIENCE 2
FULL-TIME STUDENT TEACHING
FIELD EXPERIENCE 3
Secondary Education Concentration
FOUNDATIONS OF INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT
FOUNDATIONS OF CLASSROOM COMMUNITY AND CULTURE
FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHING, LEARNING, AND MOTIVATION IN SCHOOL CONTEXTS
UNDERSTANDING EDUCATION IN THE US
PEOPLES AND GOVERNANCE OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
SECONDARY APPLIED INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT
PRACTICES OF CLASSROOM COMMUNITY AND CULTURE IN SECONDARY CLASSROOMS
DESIGNING EQUITABLE LEARNING IN SECONDARY CLASSROOMS
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS
Field Experience
FIELD EXPERIENCE 1
FIELD EXPERIENCE 2
FIELD EXPERIENCE 3
FULL-TIME STUDENT TEACHING
Required Senior Capstone
SENIOR CAPSTONE: ELEMENTARY PRACTICUM5
or  SENIOR CAPSTONE: SECONDARY PRACTICUM
Total Credits109-113
 

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits.ÌýIndividual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current.ÌýStudents should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet theÌý.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
533
554
Humanities & Arts BACR 1154Humanities & Arts BACR 215
ÌýNatural Science BACR 115Social Science BACR 115
Ìý15Ìý17Ìý17
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
545
534
434
45Natural Science BACR 215
Ìý18Ìý15Ìý18
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
533
3Social Science BACR 2154
3Global Studies - graduation requirement154
(Diversity - graduation requirement)5Ìý4
ÌýÌý2
Ìý16Ìý13Ìý17
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
32515
4 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)51
4Elective - minor or general elective22Ìý
2ÌýÌý
Ìý13Ìý12Ìý16
Total Credits 187
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.Ìý Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

EDUC 386C is a variable credit course and can be taken as 7 credits, instead of 5 credits in the winter quarter of the fourth year. If this EDUC 386C is taken for 7 credits, then there is no need for 2 credit of elective in winter quarter of the fourth year.

51¸£ÀûÉç

Students who earn a BAE in Mathematics Education - Elementary/Middle Level from 51¸£ÀûÉç should be able to:

  • describe and demonstrate an ability to use the Mathematical Practices (CCSSM) and a productive disposition as a student and teacher of mathematics;
  • demonstrate and apply in the classroom a profound understanding of fundamental mathematics within the K–8 curriculum, of how these topics progress within the K–8 range, of how these topics extend and relate to the mathematics in the secondary curriculum, and of the fundamental concepts in the curriculum in the secondary curriculum and beyond;
  • demonstrate and apply in the classroom a deep understanding of how students learn mathematics and of the pedagogical knowledge specific to mathematics teaching and learning.

Review School of Education for additional Program Learning Outcomes related to certification requirements.