I've decided that I want to finish my B.S. Degree in Mathematics with a teacher certification, and go straight into graduate school right after I graduate. My career goal in life is to become a full-time instructor at a Community College. I know that I must acquire a master's and have 18 hours of the field in order to qualify to teach, but I was told by a former math instructor that hiring committees view a pure Math Master's degree over a Master's in Mathematical Education.
Any tips or suggestions?
2007-01-04 04:50:45 · 6 answers · asked by Barrett!!! 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Follow his advice. If hiring committee's favor math over math education then its best to go w/ math. A teaching cert. in math really isnt needed and if you're not going into a blended program (getting your teaching cert. while getting your bachelors) then you will speand an extra year getting the cert & then going into the masters program. Save a year. If you dont plan on teaching k-12. Why get it? I think being a TA while your getting your masters would be more valuable and useful b/c teaching k-12 is completely different than teaching at the CC level.
Anyway, you've made a great career choice b/c math teachers all around are really needed. Ive been debating the same thing. Good luck! <3
2007-01-04 05:15:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A master's degree in math is considered more of an accomplishment than a master's degree in education specializing in math. Reason being that in grad school for your master's in education you will be studying for the most part educational theories. Which is great if your want to be a secondary education teacher. If you want to teach at the community college level, you will need a master's degree in math.Some teachers at the CC level also have Phds in their field.
2007-01-04 04:57:38 · answer #2 · answered by mac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you plan to teach math, you need to know *math*.
From what you say, you will already have your teaching credentials.
The idea is to improve your knowledge base in the field you are teaching: the "what" more than the "how".
The hiring committees figure that a Masters in pure math means that you have more math (and math skills and perspective) under your belt than someone who focused their graduate school efforts on "how to" teach math.
2007-01-04 05:39:22 · answer #3 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you need a master's. Try getting job as a tutor or something at a community college. I know my community college had a math lab, where there were math majors and the like staffed in there to help students with their math homework. It would be a good way to get in good with the head of the schools Math department.
You have an admirable goal by the way, kudos!
2007-01-04 05:01:13 · answer #4 · answered by Aoi 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well--those in the field would know the best--I'd say ask around more--talk to more people who are actually doing waht you want to do and see what kinds of degrees they have...and then look at what jobs are offered or available to those who graduate with both degrees you are considering...If you know what you want taht is great--Then you just have to choose the easiest and quickest route there...
Good Luck...
2007-01-04 04:54:16 · answer #5 · answered by Shay 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you would probably be better off with a masters in math rather than education. however, community colleges arent that selective. you would have better luck getting a long term job with a ma in math rather than edu.
2007-01-04 09:58:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋