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Elementary Mathematics Specialist Graduate Certificate

Are you looking to enhance your career opportunities as an educator, expand your mastery of mathematical content areas and network with your peers in the field? The University of Central Missouri’s Elementary Mathematics Specialist graduate certificate offers all this and more — in a fully accredited yet affordable program designed for working teachers.

The Elementary Mathematics Specialist graduate program, aligned with National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards, is available to both residents and non-residents of Missouri, and offers three tracks leading to different credentials (a graduate certificate, an MSE and an EdS). The graduate certificate can be completed in the least amount of time. The course credits earned will prepare Missouri educators for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Elementary Math Specialist content exam, necessary for obtaining the Missouri DESE add-on teaching certificate.

Teaching certificate assessment.

Earning your Elementary Mathematics Specialist graduate certificate from UCM is an excellent investment in your career. You’ll gain leadership skills and deepen your understanding of pedagogy. What you learn will empower you to step into new roles within your district or to be the effective, engaged and transformative teacher of elementary mathematics your school needs now.

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Accredited Elementary Math program

A certificate

Elementary math specialist certification

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Affordable tuition rates

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Intern in your own classroom or another

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Mentorship from expert faculty

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#1 most focused Math Ed college in MO

 

What you will study

Coursework for your Elementary Mathematics Specialist graduate certificate will focus on math content, leadership and pedagogy. In your content courses, you’ll renew and enhance your confidence in elementary mathematics while looking at the content through the lens of curriculum design. In professional development courses, you’ll study leadership theories and principles grounded in real-world application and case studies.

The courses for your graduate certificate may include:

  • Rational Numbers and Proportional Relationships for Elementary Mathematics Specialists: Develop your own understanding of rational numbers and ratio and proportional relationships, and gain insight into how children think and learn about these topics.
  • Data and Probability for Elementary Mathematics Specialists: Develop your understanding of probabilistic reasoning and data collection analysis, and how integrating these topics into the curriculum can best support your students’ learning goals throughout the year.
  • Foundations of Mathematical Leadership for Elementary Mathematics Specialists: Gain foundational knowledge of leadership principles and explore how continuous improvement models relate to being an effective elementary mathematics specialist who can influence school- and district-level improvements.

 

Excellence in Elementary Mathematics Education

  • UCM’s College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Preparation (CAEP).
  • #1: Most Focused Master’s Degree College for Mathematics Education in Missouri (College Factual, 2022)
  • #1: Most Focused College for Mathematics Education in Missouri (College Factual, 2022)
  • Top 5.5%: Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Mathematics Education (College Factual, 2022)
  • Top 10%: Most Focused Colleges for Mathematics Education (College Factual, 2022)
  • Top 15%: Most Focused Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)

 

Unique learning opportunities for elementary math specialists

Whether your practicum experiences are conducted within your teaching classroom or another nearby location, you’ll have the convenience of working within your current educational environment while supported by your faculty and peers in synchronous meetings.

Elementary Mathematics Specialist program internships are integrated into your courses for the graduate certificate. In each practicum, you’ll gain experience personalizing your teaching to learners of different backgrounds and abilities. Work with a range of students (such as primary, gifted, ELL or adult), as well as other elementary school teachers, in professional development settings to enhance both your content knowledge and your teaching practice. 

Internships are included with the following courses tailored to elementary mathematics specialists:

  • Number and Operations
  • Rational Numbers and Proportional Reasoning
  • Algebraic Reasoning
  • Geometry and Measurement

 

What can you do with an Elementary Mathematics Specialist graduate certificate from UCM?

Many of the skills you’ll acquire in the University of Central Missouri’s Elementary Math Specialist graduate certificate program are valuable for any role in education. Understanding and leveraging leadership principles, being able to teach the content with nuance to learners with different needs and effectively collaborating with colleagues and administrators will enhance whatever career track you choose.

Many elementary math specialists from the University of Central Missouri use their new credentials to seek out roles as math resource teachers, math coaches or math curriculum specialists. Others simply enjoy teaching elementary mathematics in their current role with greater efficacy. 

Your graduate certificate includes core coursework for UCM’s master’s and education specialist degrees in Elementary Mathematics, so if you decide to pursue one of these advanced degrees with us in the future you can apply your course credits toward the new program.

Learn more about elementary mathematics specialist jobs

Elementary math specialists are in strong demand across school districts in Missouri and nationwide. Use our interactive tool below to explore career trends and outlooks for this rewarding field.

 

 
 


 

Financial assistance options for your Elementary Mathematics Specialist graduate certificate

The University of Central Missouri is committed to offering affordable, high-quality academic programs. With our low tuition rates and generous financial aid packages, we strive to make a respected education for teachers accessible to everyone.

Your dedicated financial advisor will work with you to identify the best way to finance your graduate certificate program. As an Elementary Mathematics Specialist graduate student, you may be eligible for specific funds above and beyond university-wide resources. Learn more about what scholarships you may qualify for by using the UCM Scholarship Finder.

 

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Take your degree further.
 

Your graduate certificate course credits may be applied to full graduate degrees at UCM, including:

 

Additional Teaching Certification

Our program leads to an advanced Missouri teaching certificate as an elementary mathematics specialist. This will open new career options for you!

 

Statewide Collaborative

UCM is one of six universities in Missouri working collaboratively to offer the elementary mathematics specialist program. These universities have worked together for many years to design a program that prepares you well to work as a math specialist. Courses transfer easily among these universities.

 

Admission Requirements

  • Current teaching certification
  • 2.5 minimum undergraduate GPA

 

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UCM is the longest continuously CAEP accredited public institution in Missouri

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