What you will study
UCM’s Elementary Mathematics Specialist EdS degree program builds your expertise in
major mathematics concepts, procedures and pedagogy. Our virtual learning platform
facilitates meaningful connection with your peers and expert faculty while enabling
you to put new concepts and techniques to work immediately in your own classroom.
In the Elementary Mathematics Specialist degree program at UCM, you’ll gain an advanced understanding of:
- Mathematical concepts: UCM’s Mathematics Specialist teacher program will strengthen your mastery of mathematics.
Refresh and deepen your understanding of numbers and operations, rational numbers
and proportional reasoning, algebraic reasoning and geometry and measurement.
- Leadership skills specific to your field: Learn the most effective ways to guide improvements to elementary math programs in
your school and district. You’ll be able to lead professional development exercises
to support your colleagues, improve student learning outcomes, become more effective
in your current role and qualify for higher-level elementary math specialist jobs.
- Original research methodology: In UCM’s Elementary Mathematics Specialist degree program, you’ll have the opportunity
to conduct independent research in elementary mathematics education. Our faculty will
work with you to develop your research and inquiry techniques as you write a research
paper or formal thesis.
Excellence in Mathematics Education
- #1: Most Focused College for Mathematics Education in Missouri (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 10%: Most Focused Colleges for Mathematics Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 15%: Most Focused Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in teaching elementary mathematics
The University of Central Missouri’s Elementary Mathematics Specialist teacher program
emphasizes hands-on learning that you can apply immediately to your own classroom
and educational environment. Graduates of our Elementary Mathematics Specialist degree
program frequently report that they find extreme value in this applied learning approach:
- Internships: The internship classes for our Elementary Mathematics Specialist degree program meet
synchronously or in person to best support the process of applying your new skills.
Whether you’re working on a program within your current classroom, at a different
grade level or for your district, your graduate degree will be tailored to meet your
goals and timeline.
- Professional development: Lean into your developing leadership skills by participating in conferences and other
professional networking opportunities. Students in the UCM Elementary Mathematics
Specialist teacher program frequently attend — and sometimes present at — the annual
conferences for the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics and NCTM.
What can you do with a Post-Master’s Elementary Mathematics Specialist degree from
UCM?
The University of Central Missouri’s Elementary Mathematics Specialist degree program
will help you become a more effective classroom teacher and prepare you for leadership
roles in math education. Elementary math specialist jobs include math coach, math
resource teacher, math teacher in a departmentalized setting and math curriculum specialist.
What you learn over the course of your Elementary Mathematics EdS will empower you
to take your career to new heights anywhere in the country. Current Missouri educators
will also qualify to take the state’s assessment for an advanced teaching certificate
as an elementary mathematics specialist. Some school districts seek out candidates
with this certification to instruct other educators.
If you decide to pursue a doctoral degree, the UCM College of Education is regionally
accredited by CAEP, opening up the possibility for transferring your credits.
Learn more about elementary math specialist jobs
Explore trends, salaries and outlooks for math specialist jobs in Missouri and across
the country using the interactive tool below.
Financial assistance options for your Elementary Math Specialist degree
The University of Central Missouri has been providing excellent, affordable degree
programs for educators for more than 150 years. Consistently ranked among top regional
universities by U.S. News and World Report, UCM offers a graduate education that represents
tremendous value.
As a graduate student in UCM’s Elementary Math Specialist degree program, you may
qualify for a variety of loans, grants, scholarships, assistantships and other programs.
Your financial advisor will work with you to identify how best to finance your advanced degree, so you can prepare for elementary math specialist jobs without taking on excessive
student debt.
In addition to university-wide funding opportunities, you may be eligible for additional
scholarships as a math specialist. You can learn more about what scholarships you
may qualify for by using the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Meet Sandy S.
EdS Elementary Mathematics Specialist ’16
“Thanks to earning my Elementary Math Specialist degree from UCM, I am a great help
to my peers who need suggestions on how to find resources to help struggling students
or to access more ways to teach math curricula. I can’t imagine teaching math now
without what I gained in this program.”
Meet Dr. Charlene Atkins
Elementary Math Specialist program coordinator
Dr. Atkins brings more than 25 years of experience in K–12 and higher education to
the Elementary Mathematics Specialist degree program. With her BSE in Business Education,
MS in Educational Technology, MS in Mathematics and Ph.D. in Mathematics Education,
she can work with you to illuminate the intersections of mathematics education, teacher
education and instructional technology.
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Take your degree further.
If your experience in the Elementary Mathematics Specialist teacher program encourages
you to focus on leadership in education, consider returning to UCM for doctoral study:
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Additional Teaching Certification
Our program leads to an advanced Missouri teaching certificate as an elementary mathematics
specialist. This will open new career options for you!
Statewide Collaborative
UCM is one of six universities in Missouri working collaboratively to offer the elementary
mathematics specialist program. These universities have worked together for many years
to design a program that prepares you well to work as a math specialist. Courses transfer
easily among these universities.
Admission Requirements
- Current teaching certification
- 2.5 minimum undergraduate GPA
