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Mathematics Education

The Graduate Diploma in Mathematics Education focuses on mathematics education as an area of study grounded in critical examination of teaching practice, learning theories, and curriculum, and supported by analyses of socio-cultural, equity, and gender issues in the teaching and learning of mathematics. It is designed to provide opportunities for graduate level study of theories and research in Mathematics Education, as well as enriched mathematical experiences, to practising teachers and administrators and to people in the community whose work involves developing mathematical literacies.

The Graduate Diploma in Mathematics Education is jointly offered by the Graduate Programme in Education and the Graduate Programme in Mathematics and Statistics. It is available as an area of concentration within Masters and Doctoral degrees (Degree Concurrent option) and as a stand-alone Graduate Diploma (Direct Entry option).

Degree Concurrent Option

The Degree Concurrent option allows students in the appropriate graduate programmes at York University to specialize formally in the area of Mathematics Education. For those students who successfully complete both the graduate diploma and the Master's or Doctoral degree for which they are registered, the diploma is noted on the student's transcript and awarded at the convocation at which the degree is awarded or at the subsequent convocation.

Admission requirements

Registration for the diploma occurs after the candidate has been admitted to the Master of Education, the Master of Arts in Mathematics for Teachers, or the Doctoral programme in Education. Applications will be assessed on the basis of a statement of interest together with the information contained within the file as a whole. Consideration is given to the combined profile of demonstrated academic standing, background and experience, including professional background and experience, and potential to pursue and benefit from graduate studies. In addition, students should have a strong interest in mathematics education as a component of their plan of study. Successful completion of at least 12 university level credits in mathematics is strongly recommended as preparation for some of the courses offered within the program; however, the Diploma may be satisfied by taking other listed courses.

Admission to and continuation in the diploma programme for students with no post-secondary background in mathematics will be conditional upon successful completion of MATH1580/1590 or equivalent within the first twelve months of graduate study. These 6 credits will be in addition to the normal requirements for the diploma.

Diploma Requirements

All students must successfully complete:

  1. 12 credits (3 of which are in addition to their degree requirements) as follows:
    1. Six core credits:
      • Either EDUC 5840/MATH 5840 3.0 Mathematics Learning Environments or EDUC 5841/MATH 59003.0 Thinking about Teaching Mathematics, and
      • Either EDUC 5210/MATH 5910 3.0 Quantitative Research Methods in Education or EDUC 5200 3.0 Qualitative Research Methods in Education.
    2. An additional 6 credits from the approved course list (see below).
  2. A Thesis, Major Research Paper, or Survey paper, (as part of their degree), on a mathematics education topic as outlined below:
    1. All diploma students in the MEd or Doctoral programme in Education must write a major research project, major paper, major project, thesis or dissertation, supervised by a member of the Graduate Programme in Education on a topic in mathematics education, as approved by the Diploma Co-ordinator in the Graduate Programme in Education.
    2. All diploma students in the MA Programme in Mathematics for Teachers must write a survey paper, supervised by a member of the MA programme in Mathematics for teachers on a topic in mathematics education, as approved by the Diploma Co-ordinator in the MA Programme in Mathematics for Teachers.

Approved course list

Group 1

Group 2

Note: To enrol in any Group 2 course:

  1. Students will require permission of the instructor unless
    1. they have a degree in mathematics, or
    2. they are enrolled in the MA programme in Mathematics for Teachers.
  2. It is strongly recommended that students have completed at least 12 university level credits (2 full courses) in mathematics. For students without this background, the following two undergraduate half courses are suggested as preparation:
    • AS/SC/MATH 2221 3.0 Linear Algebra with Applications I, and
    • AS/SC/MATH2222 3.0 Linear Algebra with Applications II

With the permission of one of the Math Ed Diploma Co-ordinators, students may substitute up to two other elective half courses not on the list above but relevant to mathematics education offered in the Graduate Programme in Education or the Graduate Programme in Mathematics and Statistics, or other Faculty of Graduate Studies courses at York University.

Direct Entry Option

The Direct Entry option allows students to pursue a Graduate Diploma in Mathematics Education independent of a degree programme. It is noted on the student's transcript and awarded at convocation following completion of requirements.

Admission Requirements

Admissions requirements for the direct-entry Graduate Diploma in Mathematics Education are the same as requirements for entry into the Masters of Education programme with one exception: the statement of interest must address issues in mathematics education.

Normally, applicants are required to have

  1. an honours degree, OR
  2. a bachelors degree plus a Bachelor of Education, and a B average over the final two years of study.

Admission to and continuation in the diploma programme for students with no post-secondary background in mathematics will be conditional upon successful completion of MATH1580/1590 or equivalent within the first twelve months of graduate study. These 6 credits will be in addition to the normal requirements for the diploma.

Diploma Requirements

All students must successfully complete 15 credits (5 half courses) as follows:

  1. As a core requirement, either EDUC 5840/MATH 5840 3.0 Mathematics Learning Environments, or EDUC 5841 3.0 - Thinking about Teaching Mathematics.
  2. Twelve additional credits from the approved course listing (see below).
    Note: students may count for credit only one of EDUC 5210/MATH 5910 3.0 Quantitative Research Methods in Education, or EDUC 5200 3.0 Qualitative Research Methods in Education.

Approved course list

Group 1

Group 2

Note: To enrol in any Group 2 course:

  1. Students will require permission of the instructor unless
    1. they have a degree in mathematics, or
    2. they are enrolled in the MA programme in Mathematics for Teachers.
  2. It is strongly recommended that students have completed at least 12 university level credits (2 full courses) in mathematics. For students without this background, the following two undergraduate half courses are suggested as preparation:
    • AS/SC/MATH 2221 3.0 Linear Algebra with Applications I, and
    • AS/SC/MATH2222 3.0 Linear Algebra with Applications II

With the permission of one of the Math Ed Diploma Co-ordinators, students may substitute up to two other elective half courses not on the list above but relevant to mathematics education offered in the Graduate Programme in Education or the Graduate Programme in Mathematics and Statistics, or other Faculty of Graduate Studies courses at York University.

Program Co-ordinators

Mathematics & Statistics

Professor Walter Whiteley, S518 Ross, York University, 4700 Keele St.,Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Phone - (416) 736 2100, ext. 22598

Education

Professor Ami Mamolo, 3150 TEL, York University, 4700 Keele St.,Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Phone - (416) 736 2100, ext 20344.

Contact information

Graduate Programme in Education

282 Winters College
Tel: 416-736-5018
Fax: 416-736-5913

Graduate Programme in Mathematics and Statistics

N519 Ross
Tel: 416-736-5250 ext. 33974
Fax: 416-736-5757

Affiliated Faculty/Graduate Faculty Members

Jennifer Jenson (Education)
Margaret Sinclair (Education)
Israel Kleiner (Mathematics and Statistics)
Martin Muldoon (Mathematics and Statistics)
Juris Steprans (Mathematics and Statistics)
Byron Wall (Mathematics and Statistics)
Michael Zabrocki (Mathematics and Statistics)