Post-Master's Certificate in Mathematics
This 18-hour graduate-level certificate program gives working professionals an opportunity for graduate-level courses that accommodates their schedule. This program is designed for professionals working in a field aligned with mathematics, especially professional educators, who are looking to expand their knowledge of mathematics or career advancement.
For the educator, this certificate meets the needs of high school teachers who already possess a master's degree and who want to be credentialed to teach dual-credit college courses. This program takes special care to ease students into graduate level mathematics with a course designed to give context to educators and professionals in the history of mathematics and what graduate level mathematics is all about.
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate content expertise in theoretical mathematics.
- Communicate mathematics clearly and efficiently to experts and non-experts.
- Apply mathematical theories to a range of technical scenarios.
- Develop problem-solving and proving techniques.
- Use appropriate technological resources and/or software.
Admission Requirements:
To qualify for admission, applicants must present evidence of the following: an earned baccalaureate and master’s degree from a nationally-accredited college, official transcripts of all college work, and a completed SMWC application form. International applicants must supply official test scores from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
Students must meet one of the following criteria:
- TOEFL with minimum score of 500 (paper examination)
- TOEFL with minimum score of 62 (internet-based examination)
Additional requirement for the Graduate Certification in Mathematics includes:
- A current resume or CV
- Personal Career Statement (limit 500 words)
Admission will occur on a rolling basis. While the major of a student’s degree does not have to be directly related to mathematics, the application letter must clearly demonstrate (A) significant passion for a career in this field of study, (B) general familiarity with the key concepts related to mathematics and mathematic pedagogy, and (C) a plan for application of skills and content knowledge to a related career after completing the Certification.
Graduate Admission Process
Application materials are sent to the Office of Admission. The Office of Admission and the Program Coordinator review the application. The applicant is notified of acceptance, refusal, or the need to fulfill preliminary requirements.
If a student’s application materials misrepresent any information, for any reason, admission or enrollment may be revoked.
Number of Credits Students may Transfer
A maximum of 6 credit hours may be transferred of regionally accredited post-baccalaureate coursework in Algebra and probability theory or equivalent courses to be determined by the program coordinator.
Distribution of credits allowed or required at the master’s level
Apart from the math history course, which is designed to give students context as well as prepare them for the rigor required in a master’s program, all other courses will be at the master’s level. These courses are also anticipated to be accepted as transfer courses at neighboring schools.
Academic residence requirements
There is no academic residence requirement for any component of the program. Students from local areas may choose to commute for the campus portion of the program. It is also recommended to increase enrollment that there is no price differential for out of state students.
Criteria for continuation in the program
Students must complete each course with a passing grade (>80%) to continue to the ensuing term.
Criteria for satisfactory progress
Satisfactory progress within a course will be assessed for each course by the instructor, per the syllabus requirements. Satisfactory progress will include the completion of each course in each term.
Academic disqualification
Students who earn a grade below 80% in any two course will be disqualified from the Certification program for the remainder of that cohort. Students may join ensuing cohorts and utilize up to 6 credits previously earned (within the last 5 years).
Post-Master’s Certificate in Mathematics
(18 credit hours)
Required Courses
| MA 501 | History of Mathematics and Introduction to Proofs | 3 |
| MA 502 | Applied Abstract Algebra | 3 |
| MA 504 | Linear Programming and Optimization | 3 |
| MA 601 | Graph Theory | 3 |
| MA 602 | Probability Theory | 3 |
| MA 603 | Point Set Topology | 3 |