Advance your teaching career as a mathematics specialist, math interventionist, math department leader or math instructional coach. UW-Stout's Math Specialist Certificate will enhance your skills and knowledge of strategies and interventions for teaching early childhood/elementary/middle and high school mathematics. Complete your certificate entirely online in 12 months.
Program Highlights
- Four required courses
- Complete the certificate in twelve months
- Courses begin three times each year - spring, summer, and fall
- Credits earned can be applied toward UW-Stout's Master of Science in Education
- Explore ways to teach mathematics in authentic and meaningful ways through the use of problem-based curriculum and technology.
- Learn more about our other certificates and Professional Development classes.
Certificate Requirements
Certificate Courses
You may take the first three courses in any order.
- EDUC 648 Math Assessment for RTI (2 Credits)
Spring: January 27 - March 7, 2025 - Choose One of the Following:
- EDUC 659 Methods of Teaching Middle School Math (Grades 6-8) (3 Credits)
Fall: October 14 - December 6, 2024
Spring: February 3 - March 28, 2025 - EDUC 661 Advanced Trends and Issues in PK-5 Mathematics Teaching (3 Credits)
Spring: February 3 - March 28, 2025
- EDUC 659 Methods of Teaching Middle School Math (Grades 6-8) (3 Credits)
- EDUC 662 Leadership for Math Specialists (3 Credits)
Spring: January 6 - February 28, 2025 - EDUC 663 Mathematics Specialist Field Experience* (2 Credits)
*Prerequisites: EDUC 648, EDUC 659 or EDUC 661 & EDUC 662, Background Check
Fall: September 16 - October 25 OR October 28 - December 6, 2024
Spring: March 31 - May 9, 2025
Most teachers prefer to take one course per term if they are teaching full-time or possibly two courses during the summer. Passing score of at least 150 on Math Praxis (5733) is required for certificate and program completion.
Apply Your Certificate to a Graduate Degree
Whether you continue now or pursue a graduate degree when the time is right for you, the credits you earn in this professional certificate program can be applied to the M.S. Education degree program.
Let's Talk
If you are considering a Math Specialist Certificate, we encourage you to contact Emily Hines (hinese@uwstout.edu); she can explain how our certificate will give you a unique and competitive advantage as you pursue your career. And when you're ready to get started, Emily will help you successfully complete the certificate. Or you can submit a request below, and we'll send you more general information about the value of a Stout certificate.
Request Information
How will a graduate certificate help me?
- Add your certificate to your resume and LinkedIn profile
- Demonstrate you are acquiring new skills and knowledge
- Use your online portfolio to showcase your skills to employers
- Return later and apply the credits as electives in the Master of Science in Education graduate degree program
"... for students balancing the jobs they must have with the advanced education they desire – a situation faced by most students today – completing a certificate can be the most direct path to career success."
~ The Certificate Solution
Our students include:
- Title I math teachers
- Math interventionists
- Elementary, middle school, and high school math teachers
- Mathematics coaches
- Mathematics resource teachers
- Lead math teachers
- Special education teachers
- Math Tutors
Do I need to apply for admission to the graduate program?
No, you do not need to apply for graduate admission to the university unless you are beginning the Master of Science in Education graduate degree at University of Wisconsin-Stout.
May I enroll in the math specialist courses if I have already completed a Master's degree?
Yes, you may enroll in the courses to meet your goals for
- professional development
- a continuing education refresher course
- license renewal
- graduate credits to apply for salary advancement
- transfer to another university.
How much will it cost?
- 2023-2024: $476 per semester hour graduate credit ($952 for a two-credit course, $1,428 for a three-credit course). Total cost of the four courses is $4,760.
- Tuition is due per course, not the entire cost at the beginning.
- Tuition is the same for Wisconsin residents, out-of-state and international students.
- No registration fee and no program application fee
Is financial aid available?
You may qualify for financial assistance if you are accepted in the Master of Science in Education graduate degree program and registered for a minimum of five credits per semester.
UW-Stout Office of Financial Aid
Stout University Foundation sponsors scholarships for graduate students
What is the prerequisite?
Completion of a bachelor's degree.
How long is a course?
6 to 8 weeks
Register now to reserve a spot.
Complete the Online Registration Request Form
There is no registration fee to reserve a class.
When is the registration deadline?
This program is very popular, and courses fill well before the start date.
Registration is available until each session is filled or five business days before the course begins.
Upon completion of the program, elementary and middle school educators will be able to
- Provide intervention and diagnosis in school mathematics.
- Evaluate math intervention programs to determine effectiveness and appropriateness for specific contexts.
- Implement formative and summative assessment and diagnostic assessments in mathematics.
- Analyze reform-based issues in mathematics education.
- Evaluate instructional strategies for intervention, remediation, enrichment and acceleration issues in mathematics.
- Design mathematics professional development activities to achieve specific goals and purposes.
- Develop opportunities to teach math in context to establish relevancy for students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
- Provide mathematics coaching that is designed to improve student achievement and teacher instructional practice.
It is possible to skip a term or two between courses if that works better than taking the courses back to back.
How will a graduate certificate help me?
- Add your certificate to your resume and LinkedIn profile
- Demonstrate you are acquiring new skills and knowledge
- Use your online portfolio to showcase your skills to employers
- Return later and apply the credits as electives in the Master of Science in Education graduate degree program
"... for students balancing the jobs they must have with the advanced education they desire – a situation faced by most students today – completing a certificate can be the most direct path to career success."
~ The Certificate Solution
How will I create an ePortfolio?
Students may use Weebly, Google Sites, WordPress or another method to showcase their skills and knowledge. The ePortfolio is a major asset during job searches.
Is the course open to international students?
Students from 23 different countries have enrolled in the online program.
Are online courses open to veterans and military service members?
Department of Defense staff, veterans, military service members, and retired military working at the graduate level are encouraged to enroll. UW-Stout was selected as a Military Friendly School, and this honor places us in the top 15 percent of all schools nationwide.
Contact our Veteran Services staff with questions about educational benefits.
"I learned things I was able to put to immediate use in my classroom, as well as the theory behind those techniques. We will all be better teachers because of these courses."
"The relevant readings and the websites and software I was introduced to are so useful in enhancing my math class. Many times I found myself thinking of the topic in a way I hadn't before."
"I'm a new teacher, and I learned many new useful ideas from teachers who have been in the profession for years."
"It was a nice mix of educators from elementary to high school. The overall online class environment was supportive and nurturing."
"It was so rewarding to work with teachers from all over the world."
"Creating usable, meaningful projects that are interdisciplinary and aligned with the standards."
"The practical application of the lessons activities was useful."
"It was helpful to share our ideas and projects with class members - we can adapt them for use in our classrooms (with permission, of course)."
"This program forced me to look at math in a better way than simply the drill and quiz method. I found it very enlightening and helpful!"