Mathematics Instructional Leadership, M.S.
Program Director: Sara Malec Ph.D.; malec@hood.edu; 301-696-3982
The Master of Science in Mathematics Instructional Leadership is a 30-credit degree program, comprising ten required and elective courses in mathematics, education, and mathematics leadership. It is designed for current teachers of mathematics at the elementary or middle school levels seeking to enhance their professional qualifications through graduate study. Individuals who successfully complete the program will be eligible for Maryland teaching endorsement as Mathematics Instructional Leader in either Grades PreK-6 or Grades 4-9. Courses are offered online in the late afternoon and evening, and in the summer, to accommodate working teachers. This program does not lead to initial teacher certification.
Application Requirement
Candidates must be admitted to the Hood College Graduate School. It is assumed that most students in the program will be current elementary and middle school teachers, but anyone who meets the requirements of the Graduate School and the prerequisites for particular courses may enroll in the program. The program does not lead to initial teacher certification and only candidates who meet all program requirements will be eligible for the Maryland Mathematics Instructional Leader endorsement in either Grades PreK-6 or Grades 4-9.
All Mathematics Instructional Leadership graduate students are required to have regular access to a U.S. P-12 classroom throughout the program in order to successfully complete assignments, including various course assessments and the practicum. Applicants to the program who are not current classroom teachers must submit evidence that they will have regular access to observe and volunteer in a classroom in the form of an approval letter from the school principal. Such approval letters must be submitted annually to the student’s advisor. Applicants are responsible for meeting all requirements for school volunteers, as determined by the individual school and/or district. Applicants also are responsible for meeting any school and/or district requirements for conducting research in the school setting.
Program Requirements
Grades PreK-6 Concentration
The concentration in Grades PreK-6 includes four courses in mathematics, four courses in education, and two courses in mathematics education leadership.
To earn a degree in Mathematics Instructional Leadership, candidates will:
In order to be eligible for MSDE endorsement as Mathematics Instructional Leader, grades PreK-6, candidates must complete the requirements listed above and:
- hold a valid, professional certificate in Maryland;
- present verification of 27 months of satisfactory teaching experience including mathematics;
- earn at least a C in all required courses; and
- earn (or have previously earned) the Maryland passing score on the middle school mathematics Praxis II Content Area Assessment. Candidates have one year from graduation to pass the Praxis II Content Area Assessment and to complete all other program requirements in order to be designated an official program completer. It is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the program director upon completion of all requirements.
Mathematics requirement (12 credits)
Education requirement (6 credits)
| EDUC 546 | The Teaching of Numbers,Operations & Algebraic Thinking in Elementary & Middle School | 3.0 |
| EDUC 547 | The Teaching of Geometry & Measurement in Elementary & Middle School | 3.0 |
Two of the following:
| EDUC 502 | Technology for Teaching, Learning & Leadership | 3.0 |
| EDUC 534 | Current Issues in Early Childhood & Elementary Education | 3.0 |
| EDUC 545 | Modern Mathematics Methods | 3.0 |
| EDUC 553 | Foundations of Elementary STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) Education | 3.0 |
| EDUC 561 | Teaching Diverse Learners in an Inclusive Setting | 3.0 |
| EDUC 576 | Curriculum & Methods in Inclusive Classrooms: Math and Science | 3.0 |
| EDUC 578 | Educational Leadership and Group Dynamics | 3.0 |
| EDUC 581 | Research-Based Teaching, Learning & Assessment | 3.0 |
| EDUC 583 | Principles of Curriculum Development & Appraisal | 3.0 |
| EDUC 584 | Systemic Change Processes for School Improvement | 3.0 |
| EDUC 599V1 | Effective Tchg in Blended Learning Envir | 3.0 |
Required (6 credits)
| EDMA 530 | Mathematics Education Leadership I | 3.0 |
| EDMA 531 | Mathematics Education Leadership II: Practicum | 3.0 |
Grades 4-9 Concentration
The concentration in Grades 4-9 includes five courses in mathematics, three courses in education, and two courses in mathematics education leadership.
To earn a degree in Mathematics Instructional Leadership, candidates will:
In order to be eligible for MSDE endorsement as Mathematics Instructional Leader, grades 4-9, candidates must complete the requirements listed above and:
- hold a valid, professional certificate in Maryland with certification in Middle School Mathematics;
- present verification of 27 months of satisfactory teaching experience including mathematics;
- earn at least a C in all required courses; and
- earn (or have previously earned) the Maryland passing score on the middle school mathematics Praxis II Content Area Assessment. Candidates have one year from graduation to pass the Praxis II Content Area Assessment and to complete all other program requirements in order to be designated an official program completer. It is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the program director upon completion of all requirements.
Mathematics requirement 15 credits
Education requirement (6 credits)
| EDUC 546 | The Teaching of Numbers,Operations & Algebraic Thinking in Elementary & Middle School | 3.0 |
| | or | |
| EDUC 552 | The Teaching of Algebra | 3.0 |
| EDUC 547 | The Teaching of Geometry & Measurement in Elementary & Middle School | 3.0 |
| | or | |
| EDUC 551 | The Teaching of Geometry | 3.0 |
One of the following
| EDUC 502 | Technology for Teaching, Learning & Leadership | 3.0 |
| EDUC 534 | Current Issues in Early Childhood & Elementary Education | 3.0 |
| EDUC 545 | Modern Mathematics Methods | 3.0 |
| EDUC 553 | Foundations of Elementary STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) Education | 3.0 |
| EDUC 561 | Teaching Diverse Learners in an Inclusive Setting | 3.0 |
| EDUC 576 | Curriculum & Methods in Inclusive Classrooms: Math and Science | 3.0 |
| EDUC 578 | Educational Leadership and Group Dynamics | 3.0 |
| EDUC 581 | Research-Based Teaching, Learning & Assessment | 3.0 |
| EDUC 583 | Principles of Curriculum Development & Appraisal | 3.0 |
| EDUC 584 | Systemic Change Processes for School Improvement | 3.0 |
| EDUC 595 | The Teaching of Statistics & Probability: Decision Making with Mathematics | 3.0 |
| EDUC 596 | The Teaching of Mathematical Modeling: Strategies for Contemporary Problems | 3.0 |
| EDUC 599V1 | Effective Tchg in Blended Learning Envir | 3.0 |
Required 6 credits
| EDMA 530 | Mathematics Education Leadership I | 3.0 |
| EDMA 531 | Mathematics Education Leadership II: Practicum | 3.0 |