Skip to main content
Flying WV
Apply Now Request Info
Person recording sums on an easel pad
College of Applied Human Sciences School of Education and Counseling

Secondary Mathematics Education, BS

Math teachers are in demand nationwide, and the preparation you gain here will give you the confidence to step into any classroom.

The Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education prepares you to earn certification to teach mathematics (grades 5-12). As a student, you’ll graduate with more than 900 hours of hands-on experience by completing more than 125 hours of field observation before a yearlong residency in your final year, working alongside experienced teachers through strong partnerships with local schools.

You can also customize your path. The program is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you to apply transfer credits, pursue general education electives, or add a minor or second major, particularly in mathematics or a related field. Depending on placement availability and program approval, you may also have the option to complete your final-year residency in your home community.

Coursework is informed by state and national standards and certification requirements, with a focus on the specialized work of teaching mathematics: understanding students and how they learn, curriculum design, instructional strategies, and school contexts. Faculty are active in the field as educators and scholars, bringing relevant expertise to your preparation.

Your Degree Plan

Group of students working on math problems
Designed with flexibility in mind, this program allows you to apply transfer credits, pursue general education electives, or add a minor or second major, particularly in mathematics or related fields.

This program prepares you to become a certified mathematics teacher for grades 5-12. You’ll build content knowledge in mathematics alongside coursework focused on how students learn math, then apply what you’ve learned in local middle and high school classrooms beginning in your junior year. In your final year, you’ll take part in a yearlong residency, spending half your time in a school classroom in the fall and moving to a full-time placement in the spring.

The coursework in the BS in Secondary Mathematics Education program combines rigorous mathematics content with courses focused on the work of teaching.

Mathematics Content
You’ll build your content knowledge through the calculus sequence (Calculus 1 and 2 and Multivariable Calculus), probability and statistics, geometry, the history of mathematics, and a course in foundations, functions, and regression models. This coursework gives you the specialized understanding of mathematics that effective teaching requires, including how mathematical ideas develop and connect across the curriculum.

Teaching Mathematics
2-course methods sequence focuses specifically on teaching and learning mathematics in secondary schools. Additional courses examine standards and curriculum in areas central to the middle and high school classroom, including geometric thinking and ratios and proportional reasoning.

Professional Courses
Core education coursework prepares you to work with all learners. You’ll study how to support students through place-based and emotionally responsive teaching, differentiated instruction, reading in the content areas, and special education in contemporary society. Throughout, you’ll apply what you’re learning during field and clinical placements in local schools.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

Add a Minor or Second Major

The program’s built-in flexibility makes it possible to add a minor or second major, particularly in mathematics or a related field, deepening your content expertise and expanding your career options.

Honors

Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart?

  • Complete more than 900 hours of work in schools to practice your teaching and prepare you to enter the profession. You’ll complete more than 125 hours of field observation before your residency, working in a variety of public school classrooms with diverse student populations.
  • Teacher-in-Residency. Spend your entire final year in a school classroom, with a half-time placement in the fall and a full-time placement in the spring, working alongside an experienced mentor teacher.
  • Built-in certification support. The program prepares you for key certification milestones, including the Praxis II content exam and the edTPA performance assessment, with ongoing support from academic advisers and career development specialists in the CAHS Office of Student Success.
  • Expert faculty. You’ll learn from faculty who are active in the field as educators and scholars, bringing relevant and robust expertise to their teaching

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

Starting in your junior year, you’ll spend time in local middle and high school classrooms every semester through field experience courses. During your senior year, you’ll take part in a yearlong residency, giving you the opportunity to be immersed in a school community, build strong relationships with students and colleagues, and be treated as a vital member of the school’s educational team.
Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

EDUC 485: Residency/Technology Capstone in Secondary Education.

This course is the capstone experience for the Secondary Mathematics Education program. Students submit a portfolio for the performance assessments required for certification, and a weekly seminar includes discussion of topics applicable to the classroom, technology, and analysis of planning, teaching, and assessment.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Secondary School Teachers

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Median Salary: $64,580

Possible Job Titles: English Teacher, Mathematics Instructor (Math Instructor), Social Studies Teacher, Teacher

Explore Career

Middle School Teachers

Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.

Median Salary: $62,970

Possible Job Titles: Language Arts Teacher (LA Teacher), Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher), Science Teacher Teacher

Explore Career

Tutors

Instruct individual students or small groups of students in academic subjects to support formal class instruction or to prepare students for standardized or admissions tests.

Median Salary: $40,090

Possible Job Titles: Academic Coach, Academic Guidance Specialist, Professional Tutor, Tutor

Explore Career

Instructional Coordinators

Develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology into instruction in order to provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses. May train and coach teachers. Includes educational consultants and specialists, and instructional material directors.

May Require Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $74,720

Possible Job Titles: Curriculum and Instruction Director, Curriculum Coordinator, Instructional Designer, Instructional Technologist

Explore Career

Further your education

WVU graduate programs to consider:

Meet Your Community

The Secondary Mathematics Education family will inspire you.

Johnna Bolyard

Portrait of Johnna Bolyard

Professional Highlights

  • Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Human Resources and Education, WVU, 2021
  • Mathematics Teacher of the Year - College Level, West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2015
  • Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Human Resources and Education, WVU, 2010

Matthew Campbell

Portrait of Matthew Campbell

Professional Highlights

  • Research emphasis on teacher education, teacher recruitment and retention, and teacher leadership
  • Principal Investigator, Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teachers (M3T)
  • President, West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (WVCTM), 2022-2024
  • Associate Vice President, AMTE STaR Fundraising Committee, 2023-2026
  • Editorial Panel Chair, Mathematics Teacher Educator, 2021-2022

Places and Spaces

See where you’ll study, research, and create.

Student sitting on a blue sofa in the Allen Hall lounge

Allen Hall Lounge

Education students gather in the lounge area in Allen Hall for snacks, coffee, and cocoa between classes. The space offers an opportunity to students to connect with peers and faculty.
Student working a problem on an erasable board

Local Middle and High Schools

Students complete field and clinical residency placements in local, partner middle and high schools, working closely with experienced teachers and diverse student populations.

Virtual Tour

It’s the next best thing to being here. Virtually tour our campus and residence halls.

Student Life

You'll experience epic traditions, quality academics, and a supportive community that feels like home.

Visit

See WVU in person and start imagining life as a Mountaineer.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Secondary Mathematics Education major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Secondary Mathematics Education at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Ways to Save

Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Secondary Mathematics Education, BS is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Start at Another WVU Campus

You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

Explore WVU System

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Request Info

Want to know more about Secondary Mathematics Education at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

Visit

Experiencing campus is the best way to see if WVU is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.

Apply

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is completing our online application.