Program Overview
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Coordinator: Gulden Karakok, Ph.D.
Email: Gulden.Karakok@unco.edu
Location: Ross Hall 2239
Telephone: 970-351-2215
Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/mathematical-sciences/
This program is designed for graduate students interested in specializing in mathematics teaching and learning in grades 6-14. Our innovative approach to mathematical pedagogy assumes that a deep understanding of mathematics is fundamental to teaching mathematics, for engaging in mathematics education research, and for supporting reform in mathematics education. The program has three major strands: mathematics, mathematics education, and preparing grades 6-14 mathematics teachers. This program is suited to secondary mathematics teachers who want to continue their education and move into mathematics leadership jobs in K-12 education or a faculty position in higher education, as well as to those with graduate work in mathematics who want to focus on research in mathematics education.
Graduates of the program will be able to teach mathematics at several levels, perform research, engage in and further ongoing efforts to improve mathematics education for all students, and serve as leaders in mathematics education.
Admission
Location: Greeley
Start Term: Fall
General Doctoral Degree Admission Requirements
Mathematics Education PhD
Admission Deadline
Fall Admissions: Feb. 15.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must apply to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.
Each applicant must:
Take the following steps to be considered for admission:
Step 1: Complete the Application
Complete the online application.
- Answer the application questions.
- Send your requests for letters of recommendation.
- Request three (3) academic or professional letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your academic potential and abilities. You will be asked to supply information for your recommenders in the application.
- Submit the application and pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Domestic Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- International Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- The Graduate School is waiving application fees for all current UNC students and alumni! (The waiver applies only to the UNC Graduate School application.) Click for details.
Once you submit your application you will be assigned an Admissions Portal, allowing you to upload supplemental items, as listed below, and track your application through the admissions process.
Step 2: Request Transcripts
Request one official transcript from any Institutionally Accredited college or university where a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned or is in progress (if you have earned multiple degrees, bachelor’s level or higher, an official transcript is required from each college or university where a degree was conferred). If you received a degree from UNC, you do not need to request a transcript from UNC. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request that applicants provide official transcripts from other colleges or universities as needed. Applicants who have earned or are directly pursuing a higher degree from a regionally accredited institution without receiving a bachelor’s degree (e.g., PharmD) may be eligible to apply to the Graduate School without the conferral of a bachelor’s degree.
Exceptions: If an applicant intends to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.
Official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.
Mailed transcripts should be sent to:
University of Northern Colorado
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 10
501 20th St
Greeley, CO 80639
Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: grad.admissions@unco.edu.
The Office of Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.
UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Office of Admissions will make every attempt to use previously submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Office of Admissions cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.
Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow therequirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.
Step 3: Note About the GRE
This program does not require GRE scores.
Step 4: Supplemental Items
Log back into the Admissions Portal to submit the following:
- Personal Essay
Provide an essay of approximately 500 words which addresses your interest in the Doctor of Philosophy in the Mathematics Education program, the applicant’s educational goals and the applicant’s teaching experience.
- Curriculum Vitae
Additional Information
Applicants should possess a master’s degree in mathematics, mathematics education or a related field, and 18 graduate credits in mathematics. Students are expected to have had a senior level or beginning graduate level course in abstract algebra and real analysis. Teaching experience at the 6-14 level is preferred, but not required. Applicants not having this preparation should contact the program coordinator about options for taking these courses.
Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate School and then sent to the faculty/program for an admission recommendation. The timing of the admission decision depends on each individual program’s deadline and review process.
International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.
For More Information
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.
This STEM-designated degree program meets the qualifications of students on an F-1 visa to apply for a 24-month extension of post-completion optional practical training (OPT). For more information regarding OPT, please visit the Department of Homeland Security’s Optional Practical Training for F-1 Students.
Please note: This designation does not apply to degree programs that are offered online.
Degree Requirements — 64-73 credits
Mathematics Content Core — 18-21 credits
A. Required Courses — 9 hours
B. Elective Courses — 9-12 credits
Take 9-12 credits from the following:
Mathematics Education Core — 18-21 credits
A. Required Courses — 12 credits
| MED 731 | Learning Theories in Mathematics Education | 3 |
| MED 732 | Mathematics Curriculum Design | 3 |
| MED 733 | Models of Teaching in Mathematics | 3 |
| MED 740 | Equity in Mathematics Education | 3 |
B. Elective Courses — 6-9 credits (Advisor must approve courses)
Take 6-9 credits from the following:
| MED 622 | Directed Studies | 1- 3 |
| MED 678 | Special Topics | 2- 3 |
| MED 750 | History and Philosophy of Mathematics Education | 3 |
| MED 751 | Teaching Mathematical Sciences Mentorship | 3 |
| MED 753 | Theory to Practice in Mathematical Sciences Mentorship | 3 |
| ECLD 601 | Language, Linguistics, and Education | 3 |
| EDF 685 | Philosophical Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDF 700 | Implementation and Evaluation of Curriculum | 3 |
| EDF 775 | History of Education Reform and Change | 3 |
| EDF 777 | Social Justice in Education Reform | 3 |
| PSY 575 | Educational Assessment | 3 |
| PSY 640 | Cultural Issues in Education Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 644 | Motivation in Education | 3 |
Required Research Content Course — 12 credits
| MED 752 | Research in Mathematics Education Mentorship | 3 |
| SRM 602 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| SRM 680 | Introduction to Qualitative Research | 3 |
| SRM 700 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
Research Proposal/Dissertation — 16-19 credits
MATH 797: Must take 4 credits but they can be split between different semesters.
MATH 799: Must take 12-15 credits but they can be split between different semesters.
Research Tools
This program includes the following required research tools: (A) Applied Statistics, which is fulfilled by successful completion of SRM 602 (3 hours); (B) Research Methods, which is fulfilled by successful completion of SRM 680 and 700 (6 total). These requirements will be satisfied by successfully completing the courses already required above.
Program Notes
Students in this program must pass written comprehensive exams in mathematics and mathematics education followed by an oral comprehensive exam over their entire program. A document describing examination procedures may be obtained from the program office or the program website.
A student in this program is required to write a scholarly dissertation. Dissertation topics may range from mathematics with pedagogical applications to topics in education mathematics such as cognitive process, educational reform, and instructional issues.