Teaching Mathematics

    The following courses are recommended for students planning careers as teachers of mathematics in secondary schools:
 

The following courses would also be helpful:
 

    A student interested in becoming a secondary mathematics teacher should contact Jack Bookman (117 Physics Building, 660-2831, bookman@math.duke.edu). There are several paths that one might pursue to major in mathematics and also to be qualified to teach:

1. To become certified to teach so that one can go directly into secondary school teaching upon completion of an undergraduate degree, a student should complete the requirements for the mathematics major, meet the requirements for certification in North Carolina (which includes a prescribed list of mathematics and education courses), and complete a teaching internship during the spring semester of the senior year. Contact Ginger Wilson in the Program in Education (213 West Duke Building, East Campus, 660-3075) for a more complete description of these requirements.
2. Alternatively, a student may complete the undergraduate degree in mathematics and proceed directly to graduate school to obtain a master of arts in teaching or a master of arts in mathematics education. Either degree prepares one for a secondary school teaching position with an advanced pay scale, and some junior colleges employ teachers who hold these degrees. Duke has a program that leads to a master of arts in teaching; for more information about this program see Rosemary Thorne (138B Social Sciences, 684-4353, mat@acpub.duke.edu).
3. To teach in a private school, only an undergraduate degree with a major or minor in mathematics may be required. However, a mathematics major is highly recommended.