This degree track is designed to meet the needs of individuals interested in teaching mathematics at the middle-school level and to increase the number of middle-school teachers with a strong mathematics background.

Note: Colorado does not grant licensure for the middle-school grades separate from high school, and furthermore defines the term “highly qualified” (used in the No Child Left Behind Act) as 24 credits in a content area. This degree track exceeds the 24 credit “highly qualified” definition; it follows the suggestions set forth by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) for prospective middle-school teachers (grades 6-8) and provides appropriate background for someone to meet the Colorado Model Content Standards for mathematics at the middle-school level. However, the coursework in this degree track does NOT provide sufficient background in several areas as described in the guidelines set forth by the MAA for preparing high school teachers (grades 9-12), nor does it meet the requirements for secondary licensure (mathematics) in all states (i.e., a traditional B.A. degree in mathematics). In summary, this degree track is designed to meet the needs of middle school teachers, provides adequate preparation for a high school teacher in a rural environment, and exceeds the 24 credit hours of content benchmark set by the state for secondary licensure in a content area.