How do I apply for the MST degree?

See the MSCS Graduate office for general questions. All applications are now online.

The UIC Office of Admissions and Records website is: http://www.uic.edu/depts/oar

I have an undergraduate degree majoring in science or engineering. What courses should I take to prepare for admission to the MST secondary program?

You should take as many as possible of linear algebra, abstract algebra, a course which stresses proofs (many schools have a transition to abstract mathematics class) and an analysis class which rigorously proves the basic properties of calculus, (e.g. an epsilon delta approach limit). The linear algebra course is available at most community colleges. Most 4 year colleges offer the other courses. We have very limited night offerings of these courses.

I have taken only some of the required post-calculus courses. Should I apply for non-degree status?

If you are missing more than 1-2 prerequisite courses, you should apply as a non-degree student. Otherwise, you can apply for full status depending on how many and how successfully you have completed the above, you might be admitted to non-degree, provisional, or degree status. Indicate in your personal statement any courses you expect to finish before enrolling at UIC.

What if I took a required course somewhere else? Will I need to repeat it?

Generally, no (with one exception below). As long as the grade is acceptable (A, B or C), a course requirement can be met with work from another institution. However, since hours cannot transfer to the graduate program from other institutions, the hours required at UIC remain the same (36 for MST-El Ed, 32 for MST-Secondary Ed). Remaining courses must be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor.

I started at UIC as a non-degree student. How many of these courses can apply to my degree? How do I transfer courses to my degree program?

Up to three 400 or 500 level courses where a grade of an A or a B is earned can transfer from your non-degree (this includes Continuing Education) status to the degree program. Please see your advisor as to which courses are best to transfer. There is a form you must fill out in OME, but final approval is given by the Graduate College.

Who grants certification?

Certification is granted by the Illinois State Board of Education. Questions about attaining certifcation at UIC should be directed to the Council on Teacher Education.

How do I apply for Continuing Education courses? Can these apply to my degree?

Application information can be found at the Continuing Education site.

Can I apply courses from my UIC undergraduate degree to my graduate degree?

If you took more than the minimum hours required for graduation, excess hours may be considered for application to your work for the MST. These courses cannot have been used to meet any specific requirement for the undergraduate degree, such as hours for the major, general education requirements, required hours in advanced work.

If you have a course you would like to have considered for your MST, please see your advisor. If a course is recommended, you will need to see an advisor in the college that awarded your UIC degree. The advisor will tell you if the course is free to be used for your graduate program and provide this information in writing.

I already have an elementary teaching certificate; what do I need to do to teach secondary mathematics?

Teaching secondary mathematics requires roughly the equivalent of an undergraduate degree in mathematics.

UIC can only recommend for a certificate those students who complete one of the degree programs discussed below. Consult the Council on Teacher Education to see if any of your prior education courses might be counted towards certification.

I already have a secondary teaching certificate; what do I need to do to teach secondary mathematics?

UIC can only recommend for a secondary mathematics endorsement those students who complete one of the degree programs discussed below. Consult the ISBE website or better yet ask the ISBE for a statement of deficiency to see what mathematics courses might enable you to obtain a mathematics endorsement. We have no formal programs for this purpose.

I am completing a Master of Education (in the College of Education) to obtain elementary certification. How can I get a Middle School Mathematics Endorsement?

Ask the ISBE for a deficiency statement. Then consult with Dan Miltner in OME to see what mathematics courses you should take to meet the requirements.

If I am admitted to begin in the Fall semester, for example, but find that I am unable to attend, can I enroll in the Spring semester instead?

Students in this situation need to see their advisor to request to defer their admission to a future semester. The advisor will complete a Request to Defer Graduate Degree Admission form. General deadlines to submit this form are November 1 for Spring, March 15 for Summer, and May 15 for Fall. Students are allowed to defer once per application.

How do I obtain certification as a secondary mathematics teacher?

Certification is granted by the Illinois State Board of Education; UIC prepares students for certification in two ways. Both provide mathematics study equivalent to an undergraduate degree in mathematics.

The Bachelor of Science in Teaching Mathematics in Secondary School is an undergraduate degree. Occasionally students with a Bachelor's degree in another subject and very little background in mathematics will find a second Bachelor's degree is the most appropriate option.

The Master of Science in Teaching Secondary School Mathematics for students without teaching certification provides the course work for certification. Admission requirements include about 1/2 of an undergraduate degree in mathematics (3 semesters of calculus, and two of linear algebra, abstract algebra, and real analysis). The degree entails 35 hours of graduate mathematics, 16 hours in the College of Education, 8 hours of methods of teaching secondary mathematics, and a semester of student teaching.

What if I took a required course at another school? Will I need to repeat it?

In most cases, courses with a grade of C or better will transfer to the undergraduate degree.

It is important to remember, however, that at least half the courses required for the major must be completed at UIC, and that other requirements may be set by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (please see catalog).

May I take courses at other institutions while attending UIC?

This must be determined on a case by case basis by your department advisor. Not many schools offer exact equivalents of the courses we offer, so students generally take their courses here. However, there are exceptions.

Also, you will need the permission of LAS to take any course elsewhere. There are various residency rules you will need to be aware of, and the college is the best authority in these areas.

I already have a teaching certificate; what do I need to do to teach secondary mathematics?

UIC can only recommend for a certificate those students who complete one of the degree programs discussed below. Consult the Council on Teacher Education to see if any of your prior education courses might be counted towards certification.

Consult the ISBE website or better yet ask the ISBE for a statement of deficiency to see what mathematics courses might enable you to obtain a mathematics endorsement. We have no formal programs for this purpose.

Is there a schedule for MthT 490 Special Topics?

No. However, topics are offered every year, but there is no predetermined sequence.

Why can't I declare my major in Secondary Education when I apply to UIC?

The Office of Mathematics Education must check your prerequisites before you can declare the major. Then it takes one semester before the major change will show in the system.

How do I declare the major?

Go to 325 SEO and see Janice Nekola. She will check your prerequisites and determine if you're eligible to become a math ed major.

You must complete at least Math 180 Calculus I before requesting the major. A GPA is computed using Math 180 and all higher level math courses. A GPA of 2.50 is required in these courses.

If you have been approved, we will notify the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, who must also give their approval.

What is candidacy?

It's an important stage in progressing through the secondary program. You must be a candidate to take education courses above the 200-level and several MthT courses. Once you have been accepted as a major you can apply.

Deadlines for declaring candidacy are:

Feb 1 for the following Fall

Oct 1 for the following Spring

On occasion, even students who have the minimum courses required for candidacy will be deferred until they complete additional math courses and show they succeed in higher level courses.

For details on what the application process entails, please go to the Council on Teacher Education.

NOTE: Deadlines are strictly enforced and students are responsible for meeting them.

What if I took the equivalent of Math 140 and/or 141 somewhere else? May I receive credit for these courses?

If you think you took a course that is the equivalent of Math 140 or 141, please contact Janice Nekola. You may need to supply a course description and syllabus. If the course is considered to cover comparable material, and you earned at least an A or B, you may take a proficiency exam. If you pass the exam, a letter will be sent to the College of Education; they will make sure credit is posted to your record for 140 and/or 141.

You can arrange to take the exam(s) with Ms. Nekola.

You may take the proficiency exams once only.

Please review the practice questions for Math 140 and Math 141 before taking the exam.

What is a concentrator?

Students in elementary education must specialize in some discipline. Those who specialize in the mathematics are called 'mathematics concentrators'. They take a sequence of courses designed to prepare teachers of elementary school mathematics including MTHT 466, 467, 468, and 450. Concentrators can qualify for a Middle School Mathematics Endorsement with some additional courses in education, discussed below.

How do I become a Concentrator?

You become a Concentrator based on the recommendation of your Math 140 or 141 instructor. In the second half of the semester, OME will request recommendation from the instructors of 140 and 141. Based on these recommendations, you will be invited by letter or email to become a Concentrator. If you then choose math as your specialization (become a Concentrator), you will need to see Janice Nekola to fill out necessary paperwork and discuss the courses you will need to complete.

How can I get a Middle School Mathematics Endorsement?

The requirements are stated on the ISBE website. Requirements include a course in the methods of teaching Middle School Mathematics (MTHT 450 or MTHT 550) and 15 further semester hours which must meet a complicated list of requirements.

Students who complete our concentrators program will meet the mathematical requirements (it is possible to complete the remaining requirements while an undergraduate, but may require additional time); students who complete our MST-elementary option will meet all the requirements. Unless, you complete a UIC degree, it is necessary for you to petition the state for the endorsement.