Mathematics for Teaching Degree Requirements

• MATH 300 Mathematical Foundations for Teaching Secondary School Math
• 2 mathematical theory courses
• Calculus 2
• 1 pedagogy and lesson study course
• 3 math for teaching electives
• Math S-329 Appraising and Reimagining Middle and High School Mathematics Education (see on-campus requirement)

Learn how to search and register for courses.

The thesis is a nine-month independent research project where you work one-on-one in a tutorial setting with a thesis director.

For this track, you enroll in the following additional courses:

• MATH 497 Crafting the Thesis Proposal in Mathematics for Teaching Tutorial
• MATH 499AB ALM Thesis in Math for Teaching (8 credits)

For the capstone track project, you enroll in the following additional courses:

• 2 math for teaching electives
• MATH 599 Teaching Projects: Math for Teaching Capstone

In the capstone, you research and deliver two class presentations. First, you present to your instructor and fellow degree candidates research on a current topic in mathematics education. Second, you demonstrate how a particular technology can be used to enhance classroom math lessons.

You can choose to concentrate your degree studies in a specific area to earn a graduate certificate along the way.

Graduate Certificates:

• Learning Design and Technology
• Math Leadership

Microcertificates:

• Statistics

Harvard Summer School issues I-20s for the F-1 student visa. For more information, see the important visa information on the International Student Study Options page.

Come to Cambridge for Convocation (fall) to celebrate your hard-earned admission, Harvard career fairs offered throughout the year, HES alumni networking events (here at Harvard or around the globe), and, of course, Harvard Commencement (May).

• Prior to enrolling in any degree-applicable courses, you must possess a four-year regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. Foreign bachelor’s degrees must be evaluated for equivalency.
• If English is your second language, you’ll need to prove English proficiency before registering for a course. We have multiple proficiency options.

With our performance-based admission process, you begin by taking courses with us first. You’ll simply register — no application required — for the following two 4-credit, graduate-level degree courses (available online).

These prerequisite courses count toward your degree once you’re admitted; they are not additional courses. They are investments in your studies to help ensure success in the program.

• MATH 300 Mathematical Foundations for Teaching Secondary School Math
  • You have two attempts to earn the minimum grade of B in MATH 300 (a withdrawal grade counts as an attempt) and the course cannot be more than two years old at the time of application.
• One mathematical theory course

You need to perform well in the two courses earning a grade of B or higher without letting your overall Harvard cumulative GPA dip below 3.0.

The two courses don’t need to be taken in a particular order or in the same semester.

During the semester of your second degree course, submit the official application to the program.

Don’t delay! You must prioritize the two degree courses for admission and apply before completing subsequent courses. By doing so, you’ll:

• Avoid the loss of credit due to expired course work or changes to admission and degree requirements.
• Ensure your enrollment in critical degree-candidate-only courses.
• Avoid the delayed application fee.
• Gain access to exclusive benefits.

Eligible students who submit a complete and timely application will have 10 more courses after admission to earn the degree.

Applicants can register for courses in the upcoming semester before they receive their grades and while they await their admission decision.

Prospective ALM students can expect acceptance into the program by meeting all the eligibility and academic requirements detailed on this page, submitting a complete application, and having no academic standing or conduct concerns.

GPA. You need to earn a B or higher in each of the two degree courses required for admission and a B– or higher in each of the subsequent courses. In addition, your cumulative GPA cannot dip below 3.0.

Withdrawal grades. You are allowed to receive two withdrawal (WD) grades without them affecting your GPA. Any additional WD grades count as zero in your cumulative GPA. See Academic Standing.

Repeat courses. We advise you to review the ALM program’s strict policies about repeating courses. Generally speaking, you may not repeat a course to improve your GPA or to fulfill a degree requirement (if the minimum grade was not initially achieved). Nor can you repeat a course for graduate credit that you’ve previously completed at Harvard Extension School or Harvard Summer School at the undergraduate level.

Expired coursework. Courses over five years old at the point of admission will not count toward the degree. As stated above MATH 300 cannot be more than two years old at the time of application.

Five-year degree completion timeline. Further, you have five years to complete your degree requirements. The five-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any two degree-applicable courses, regardless of whether or not you have been admitted to a degree program.

Don’t delay! Potential degree candidates must plan accordingly and apply to the program in a timely manner, or they risk losing degree credit for completed course work.

Admission eligibility will be jeopardized if, at the point of application to the program, the five-year degree completion policy cannot be satisfied (i.e., too many courses to complete in the time remaining).

When you have fulfilled all degree requirements, you will earn your Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Mathematics for Teaching. Degrees are awarded in November, February, and May, with the annual Harvard Commencement ceremony in May.

When you become an officially admitted degree candidate, you have access to a rich variety of exclusive benefits to support your academic journey. To learn more, visit degree candidate academic opportunities and privileges.