Mathematics Education (6-12, Licensure)

 

Three Reasons to Choose CBU Mathematics Education 

1. A Full Mathematics Major, Not a Shortened One

The Mathematics Education track at CBU is built on the same core mathematics requirements as the standard mathematics major. Students complete Calculus I, II, and III, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Abstract Algebra, Real Analysis, and Complex Analysis, the same 400-level courses that prepare students for graduate mathematics programs. 

The education concentration adds 34 credits of licensure coursework on top of that foundation, not in place of it. That matters in the classroom: teachers who understand mathematics deeply are better equipped to explain it.

2. Graduate School Preparation Alongside Teaching Licensure

CBU’s mathematics curriculum includes Senior Seminar I and II (MATH 481/482), a capstone research sequence that develops the skills required for graduate-level mathematics study. 

Students who complete Mathematics Education at CBU leave with both Tennessee teaching licensure and a mathematical foundation that supports graduate study in mathematics, statistics, data science, or education, keeping both paths open.

3. The Math Center. Built-In Academic Support

The CBU Math Center provides tutoring and homework support throughout the program. For a major that includes advanced courses in real and complex analysis, having structured peer and faculty support on campus is a practical advantage, particularly in the early calculus sequence where students are building the foundation the rest of the major depends on.

Program Highlights

• Broad range of study including advanced math courses such as probability, statistics, linear algebra, abstract algebra, real analysis, complex analysis, and discrete mathematics
• Strong preparation for graduate school
• Education courses leading to initial teacher licensure
• CBU Math Center for tutoring and academic support throughout the program, including the calculus and advanced analysis sequence.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required to enter and remain in the Teacher Education Program, per Tennessee Department of Education requirements.

What You’ll Study

The Mathematics Education major requires 127 credit hours. You’ll take CBU general education courses and School of Sciences Support Requirements, plus courses in:

View Mathematics Education Course Requirements

Geometry and History of Mathematics (MATH 301). Required for all mathematics education students; covers Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry alongside the historical development of mathematical ideas

Teacher Education Program (TEP) Application

Tennessee Teacher Licensure 

The Mathematics Education program leads to initial teacher licensure in Tennessee for grades 6 through 12, issued by the Tennessee Department of Education. Licensure authorizes graduates to teach mathematics across middle and high school settings in Tennessee public schools.

Students must maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA to enter and remain in the Teacher Education Program. The EdTPA, a performance-based teaching assessment required for Tennessee licensure, is supported through the dedicated EDUC 476 preparation course in the senior year sequence.

View Tennessee Licensure Requirements | Teacher Education Program Application

Careers

Mathematics Education graduates are prepared for secondary teaching careers and carry a mathematics foundation deep enough to open paths in data, analytics, finance, and graduate study.

Teaching Careers

The median annual wage for high school teachers was $72,040 in May 2025, with about 63,500 openings projected each year. The median annual wage for middle school teachers was $64,370 in May 2025, with approximately 38,800 openings projected each year. 

Mathematics is one of the most consistently high-demand teaching subjects in Tennessee and nationally. U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

• High School Math Teacher: $72,040 median annual wage (May 2025) | ~63,500 openings/year
• Middle School Math Teacher: $64,370 median annual wage (May 2025) | ~38,800 openings/year

In Memphis-Shelby County Schools is the largest school district in Tennessee and a direct employer of CBU graduates entering secondary education.

Beyond Teaching. What a Math Degree Opens

The 400-level mathematics coursework in this program, real analysis, abstract algebra, linear algebra, builds analytical and problem-solving skills that carry beyond the classroom.

• Operations Research Analyst: $88,940 median annual wage (May 2025) | +12% projected growth (2025–2035) | ~7,500 openings/year
• Actuary: $125,770 median annual wage (May 2024) | Requires actuarial exams after graduation
• Mathematician or Statistician: $121,680 (Mathematicians) / $103,300 (Statisticians) median annual wage (May 2024) | +8% projected growth | Typically requires graduate degree
• Data Analyst or Financial Analyst: Entry-level roles accessible with a strong mathematics undergraduate background; salaries vary by industry and sector

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook

Is a Mathematics Education Major for You?

This major is built for students who are drawn to mathematics as a discipline, not just as a subject to teach, and who want to develop young people’s mathematical thinking at the secondary level. If several of the following describe you, this program may be the right fit:

• You enjoy working through difficult problems and want to teach others how to approach them
• You are interested in both the structure of mathematics (proof, abstraction, rigor) and its applications
• You want a degree that prepares you for the classroom but keeps graduate school open as an option
• You want to work in Memphis-area schools and make a direct contribution to the community
• You are looking for a degree with a built-in support structure (the Math Center) and small class sizes

Meet the Faculty

Frequently Asked Questions – Mathematics Education (6 – 12)

What is the Mathematics Education (6–12) program?
The Mathematics Education major at CBU combines a full mathematics curriculum with the education coursework required for initial teacher licensure in Tennessee for grades 6 through 12. Students complete advanced mathematics courses including real analysis, abstract algebra, and complex analysis alongside a 34-credit education and licensure sequence.

What grades does this licensure cover?
The program leads to Tennessee teacher licensure for grades 6 through 12, covering both middle school and high school mathematics instruction.

What GPA do I need to enter the Teacher Education Program?
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required to enter and remain in the Teacher Education Program at CBU, per Tennessee Department of Education requirements. A 2.0 GPA in major coursework is required to remain in the mathematics major.

Is this program only for students who want to teach?
No. The mathematics foundation built in this program, which includes 400-level courses in real analysis, abstract algebra, and linear algebra,  is strong enough to support graduate study in mathematics, statistics, or data science, as well as careers in analytics, finance, and operations research. The teaching licensure adds to the degree; it does not limit it.

Does the program prepare students for graduate school?
Yes. The Senior Seminar sequence (MATH 481/482) and the advanced 400-level mathematics courses are explicitly designed to build graduate-level mathematical thinking. Students who complete mathematics education at CBU graduate with both licensure and a foundation that meets the mathematical requirements for graduate programs in mathematics and related fields.

What is EdTPA, and how does CBU prepare students for it?
EdTPA is a performance-based teaching assessment required for teacher licensure in Tennessee. CBU includes a dedicated EdTPA Preparation course (EDUC 476) in the senior year sequence, providing structured faculty support so students complete the assessment with preparation, not on their own.

What is the Math Center?
The Math Center is CBU’s on-campus tutoring and homework support resource for mathematics students. It is available throughout the program, including during the calculus sequence and upper-division courses where students are working through the most demanding material in the major.

Is this program offered at CBU’s Memphis campus?
Yes. The Mathematics Education program is offered at CBU’s main campus at 650 East Parkway South, Memphis, Tennessee 38104, through the School of Sciences and the Mathematics and Computer Science Department.