Mathematics Education (Ph.D.)
Ph.D. Mathematics Education
Program Overview
Texas State offers opportunities to work with outstanding faculty in a collegial atmosphere where mathematicians and math educators work closely together. The multi-faceted program offers a strong mathematics foundation and research opportunities through Mathworks, grant activities and local school partnerships that prepare students to become leaders in mathematics education research.
Course Work
Mathematics education doctoral students will complete core courses in mathematics and mathematics education. The program also requires elective courses from areas such as teaching specialized content, teaching K-12 students, mathematics technology, problem solving for secondary students, reasoning and proof. The culminating research activity is a dissertation. Graduates develop a well-balanced foundation in mathematics content, the ability to link mathematics content to pedagogy and the background needed to conduct original research in mathematics education. A rich research environment supports each doctoral student's research interests with a variety of weekly seminars, including colloquia by national leaders in mathematics and mathematics education.
| Degree | Course Work | Dissertation | Total Hours | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree Ph.D. | Course Work 60 hours | Dissertation 18 hours | Total Hours 78 hours | Location San Marcos |
Program Details
Mathworks, an on-campus center for mathematics education, provides a laboratory for developing and testing new ideas, with special programs for middle and high school students, teacher training and curriculum R&D.
Program Mission
The doctoral program’s strength lies in the depth and breadth of the mathematics core courses that complement core courses in mathematics education. The mission is to develop graduates who can contribute to research as future leaders in mathematics education, with a vision of enhancing our programs nationally for research and innovation in mathematics education.
The goals are to:
- develop a well-balanced foundation in mathematics content
- link mathematics content to pedagogy that addresses the educational needs throughout the P-20 continuum
- contribute to advancing knowledge in mathematics education through original research
- produce high-quality mathematics teachers at all levels
Career Options
Graduates of the program are well prepared for positions such as:
- faculty members of colleges and universities
- decision-makers in state or local education agencies
- researchers in think tanks, corporations, or nonprofit agencies
- high-ranking members of foundations or organizations
Program Faculty
The Department of Mathematics has over 75 full-time faculty members with diverse areas of interest and training, including about 20 faculty members with research interests in mathematics education, one of the largest and most active groups in the country. Faculty research areas include mathematics instruction for English Language Learners, international comparative education, complex instruction, mathematics modeling, research in mathematics education, teacher professional development, curriculum design and implementation, Mathworks outreach programs and summer math camps, classroom discourse, assessment, teacher noticing, statistics education and productive struggle.
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
Doctoral Program Director
Dr. Sharon Strickland
mathgrad@txstate.edu
512.245.3444
Math Computer Science (MCS), Room 578
Advisor Support
Jennifer Riggin
mathgrad@txstate.edu
512.245.2551
Math Computer Science (MCS), Room 470
Apply Now Already know that Texas State is right for you?
Application Deadlines
| Deadlines | U.S. Citizen | International |
|---|---|---|
Deadlines Fall | U.S. Citizen January 10 | International January 10 |
Deadlines Spring | U.S. Citizen August 10 | International August 10 |
This program's deadline is firm. This type of deadline means the application and other application requirements must be submitted by the program's specified deadline day.
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Funding Information The deadline for applying for teaching assistantships is March 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester. The deadline for apply for graduate fellowships (only for new doctoral students) is February 22 for the fall. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a firm basis. |
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- Completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
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Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree or higher (or the equivalent thereof) in mathematics, mathematics education, or a related field from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- a 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents & Other Requirements
- interview with faculty
- resume/CV
- statement of purpose (500 words) describing your background and professional goals, including your rationale for pursuing a doctoral degree in mathematics education and your teaching philosophy
- three letters of recommendation addressing your professional and academic background as well as research and teaching potential
- two years of teaching experience.
Review important information about documents.
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Teaching Experience
Each student in the mathematics education program is expected to have two years teaching experience. If you have taught for two or more years at full-time status in the public school system, you will be considered to have met this requirement. If you have not met this requirement upon admission, you will be required to gain practical teaching experience before graduation. If you receive a teaching assistantship while in the program, each long semester you have a two-course assignment will count as one half of a year of experience. If you teach two summer sessions, you will be given credit for one long semester. In the event that you have other forms of practical teaching experience, the Ph.D. program director will determine the amount of credit received on an individual basis.