Bachelor’s Degree in Math for Secondary Education
Study to Become a Secondary Math Teacher
Grand Canyon University offers the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics for Secondary Education degree program that can prepare you for a career inspiring and educating adolescent learners. Graduates can be prepared with the critical thinking and general problem-solving skills to tackle difficult problems from any field and to teach their own students to do the same.
This math secondary education degree is a joint initiative of GCU’s College of Education and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. This Bachelor of Science in Mathematics for Secondary Education degree from GCU also leads to initial teacher licensure.
Benefits of a Bachelor’s Degree in Math for Secondary Education From GCU
GCU students can benefit from a curriculum intended to cultivate clear communication and critical analysis skills. As you pursue your BS in math for secondary education, you will have the opportunity to explore ways of integrating your Christian values and ethical convictions into your intended career path.
With a balanced program of applied and theoretical mathematics and education courses, you can complete a solid curriculum of mathematics content while developing the methodological expertise to become an effective and skilled secondary educator. The foundational framework for this curriculum is derived from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Content Standards, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Secondary Initial Prep and the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium Model Core Teaching Standards.
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BS in Mathematics for Secondary Education Coursework
This BS in teaching secondary mathematics requires the successful completion of 120 credits. Graduates will demonstrate mastery of these key areas:
- Geometry, algebra, trigonometry and calculus
- Classroom management
- Pedagogical theories and practical teaching applications
- Data-driven instructional methods
- Mathematical modeling
- Discrete mathematics
This secondary education mathematics degree requires the completion of a student teaching experience. Student teachers have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a real classroom setting.
Develop Your Skills for Teaching Secondary Mathematics
To be able to lead to licensure, this bachelor’s degree in math must have a curriculum that can provide you with the skills to be a secondary math teacher. Relevant skills you can develop and acquire in this program include:
- Developing learning opportunities that support student development
- Understanding of all math, including calculus, geometry, probability, statistics and algebra
- Differentiated instruction
- Classroom engagement
- Applying teaching methodologies
Career Paths for Bachelor of Science in Mathematics for Secondary Education Graduates
An online math education degree can help prepare you to pursue a career teaching adolescents how to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You might decide to apply for work as a middle or high school teacher in a public or private educational setting.
Beyond serving as a math teacher, a BS in math secondary education degree online can be applied to a range of industries, such as:1
- Actuarial science
- Computer information systems
- Computer science
- Statistics
- Economics
Some career paths may require additional educational credentials.
Bachelor’s in Mathematics for Secondary Education FAQs
If you’re considering pursuing a career teaching secondary mathematics, review some of the most frequently asked questions to gain more insight into a career in this field.
Secondary education mathematics refers to mathematics that is taught to grade levels that are above elementary school level, but below college level. This mathematics secondary education major focuses on teaching middle to high school grade levels.
Yes. Completing the bachelor’s degree in math for secondary education can lead to initial teaching licensure. Students will be taught the knowledge and skills to pursue a secondary education certificate in math and fulfill all state licensure requirements. Graduates will also qualify for the middle grades endorsement.
Future secondary math teachers need to complete 85 hours of practicum field experiences prior to student teaching, and these experiences are built into the curriculum. The final semester of the program requires a full-time, 16-week student teaching component. As a student in the secondary education mathematics degree program, you will need to pass both a content knowledge and professional knowledge exam in order to become licensed.
There is a consistent need for secondary math teachers, both in middle and high school. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for middle school teachers to increase by about 4%,2 and high school teachers to increase by about 5% from 2021 to 2031,3 both as fast as the average for all occupations.
If you have a passion for mathematics and seek to inspire secondary school students to feel the same, fill out the form on this page to get started in your teaching journey at GCU.
1 Robinson, T. (2023, March 21). Careers for Math Majors. BestColleges. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Middle School Teachers, retrieved on June 22, 2023.
3 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, High School Teachers, retrieved on June 22, 2023.
General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University's General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-103, University Success: 4
- UNV-303, University Success: 4
- UNV-108, University Success in the College of Education: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy, technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of intermediate algebra or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-154, Applications of College Algebra: 4
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4
- PHI-105, 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: 4
- BIO-220, Environmental Science: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, cross-cultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- HIS-144, U.S. History Themes: 4
- PSY-102, General Psychology: 4
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4
Required General Education Courses
Course Description
This course presents the fundamentals of algebra and trigonometry with some applications; it provides the background and introduction for the study of calculus. Topics include review of linear equations and inequalities in one and multiple variables; functions and their graphs; polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; systems of equations and matrices; and sequences and series. Slope and rate of change are introduced to set up the concepts of limits and derivatives. There is an emphasis on both an understanding of the mathematical concepts involved as well as their applications to the principles and real-world problems encountered in science and engineering. Technology is utilized to facilitate problem analysis and graphing. Prerequisite: MAT-134 or MAT-154.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of the principal political, economic, and cultural themes and constitutional developments that shaped the United States from the Colonial period into the 20th Century.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to assist teacher candidates in understanding theories and principles of psychology that describe the growth and development of early adolescents and adolescents, including cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas. This course enables teacher candidates to build foundational knowledge for constructing learning opportunities and environments that support individual students’ development, acquisition of knowledge and skills, and motivation. Practicum/field experience hours: 5. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
This course provides a rigorous treatment of the concepts and methods of elementary calculus and its application to real-world problems. Topics include a brief review of linear, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, and inverse functions; understanding and calculating limits, continuity, and derivatives as rates of change; differentiation rules including derivatives of polynomials, exponentials, trigonometric, and logarithmic functions; product and quotient rules, the chain rule, and implicit differentiation; related rates, curve sketching, maximum and minimum problems, mean value theorem, linear approximation, indeterminate forms, and L’Hospital’s rule; and applied optimization problems, antiderivatives, and approximating areas under the curve. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MAT-250 or MAT-261.
Course Description
In this writing intensive course, teacher candidates study how to teach a diverse population of students by examining the foundations and dimensions of social justice in education, social constructs, privilege, prejudice, and oppression with the goal of becoming culturally competent educators.
Course Description
Teacher candidates are introduced to the educational needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families, including the definitions, characteristics, prevalence, causes and educational approaches to these disabilities and disorders. Teacher candidates will identify cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional patterns of learning and development for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Teacher candidates also survey the special education process involving the application of various laws and regulations. Practicum/field experience hours: 5. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
This course is a survey of the Arizona constitution and government. It meets the teacher certification requirement for Arizona government.
Course Description
This course provides a rigorous treatment of the concepts, methods, and applications of integral calculus and is the second course in a three-course sequence. Topics include definite integrals, fundamental theorem of calculus, and integration rules; arc length, solids of revolution, and physical applications; techniques of integration including improper integrals and an introduction to differential equations; polar coordinates, parametric equations, infinite sequences, and series; power series and conic sections; and vector arithmetic, dot product, and projections. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MAT-252.
Course Description
Teacher candidates explore instructional strategies for delivering differentiated instruction to promote reading and writing proficiency. Language and literacy development is examined to inform assessment, intervention, and remediation practices to support middle to high school readers of diverse ability levels, including students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. Using this foundational knowledge, teacher candidates will select, adapt, and use research-based instructional strategies and interventions with attention focused on literacy in academic curricula to advance learning for adolescent students. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
This course is an exploration of the history of humanity through the lens of mathematics and technology. Students study important thinkers and their tools and techniques with an emphasis on how their discoveries have impacted the modern world. Students are shown insights into how those thinkers solved problems and the critical analysis to apply those insights to modern issues in diverse areas of interest. The use of tools and techniques of mathematics and technology aids in applying those insights. Prerequisite: MAT-250 or MAT-261.
Course Description
This course examines the core concepts of algebra and geometry, with a focus on the individual and interrelated elements, for the purpose of understanding their meaning, expression, and interaction. Therefore, course activities require clearly demonstrating an understanding of the meaning of these concepts with regards to secondary education in both verbal and written form. Prerequisite: MAT-252.
Course Description
In this course, teacher candidates differentiate instruction based on knowledge of students, learning theory, and curricular goals. Major emphasis is given to planning instructional objectives and lessons, sequencing, and assessing objectives, utilizing formal and informal assessment strategies that address individual students' needs. Practicum/field experience hours: 5. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SEC-201.
Course Description
This course prepares teacher candidates to create and manage positive, productive middle- and secondary-grade classroom environments with diverse students. Candidates develop a comprehensive understanding of the learning and behavior principles that underlie effective classroom management and student engagement in order to design and promote an effective classroom management program. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SEC-201.
Course Description
This course examines how discrete mathematics can be applied to problem solving as well as mathematical reasoning and communication. Additionally, this course introduces how mathematics uses established methods to determine and validate new conclusions through the use of discrete mathematics. Prerequisites: MAT-252 and MAT-253.
Course Description
This course covers the role of statistics in engineering, probability, discrete random variables and probability distributions, continuous random variables and probability distributions, joint probability distributions, random sampling and data description, point estimation of parameters, statistical intervals for a single sample, and tests of hypotheses for a single sample. Prerequisite: MAT-253 or MAT-264.
Course Description
In this course, teacher candidates examine the fundamentals of the legal, historical, and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI) and other instructional programs for English language learners. Theoretical principles of language acquisition and the role of culture in learning are examined. Methods of assessment are identified and analyzed. Teacher candidates identify strategies to promote English language development and improve student achievement. Through Universal Design for Learning they plan, deliver, and evaluate standards based instruction for English language learners. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
This course is intended primarily for mathematics, science, and engineering students. The goal of the course is to impart the concepts and techniques of modern linear algebra (over the real scalar field) with a significant level of rigor. Students write clearly about the concepts of linear algebra (definitions, counterexamples, simple proofs), and apply theory to examples. The course emphasizes the practical nature of solutions to linear algebra problems. Students implement some of these solutions, where appropriate, as computer programs. Prerequisite: MAT-264 or MAT-253
Course Description
This course provides an axiomatic approach to geometry, including analysis of the parallel postulate and an introduction to non-Euclidean models. Other topics include planar transformations and isometry groups, analytic geometry, and the history of geometry. Prerequisites: MAT-252 and MAT-345.
Course Description
This writing intensive course is an introduction to the construction and analysis of mathematical and statistical models in diverse areas of human endeavor. Students use tools and approaches to solve challenging problems. Prerequisites: MAT-253 and MAT-345.
Course Description
This course is designed to develop an understanding and ability to apply the methods and principles of effective instruction using mathematics in the secondary classroom. This course examines different learning modalities, instructional strategies, and the use of technology to help plan and teach effective mathematical lessons that increase student achievement and are aligned to the mathematics standards. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
In this course, teacher candidates study methods and materials related to teaching middle- and secondary-grade students. Emphasis is placed on using data to evaluate and modify instruction. Teaching methodologies encourage problem solving, active participation, meeting diverse students’ needs, and professional collaboration. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint Clearance required. Prerequisite: SEC-355.
Course Description
Teacher candidates are engaged in the student teaching experience that includes practical classroom experiences, research, analysis, and teaching to support the creation of a Student Teaching Evaluation of Performance (STEP). Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all courses in POS and content area; a 2.8 GPA; successful completion of NES or your state’s mandated content area exams; and approval and placement by the College of Education Office of Clinical Practice. All paperwork for student teaching must be submitted by the due date the semester prior to student teaching.
Join Grand Canyon University’s vibrant and growing campus community, with daytime classes designed for traditional students. Immerse yourself in a full undergraduate experience, complete with curriculum designed within the context of our Christian worldview.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.