Math and Secondary Education majors typically take the following courses in the fall semester of their first year:
First-Year Experience Learning Community Courses
We will register you in these courses.
- Philosophy (PHIL 201)
- English Composition (ENG 101) OR Theology (TRS 201)
Why am I taking these classes? Honors students take equivalent honors courses.
Major and Elective Courses
You will need to choose and register for these courses.
- Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Math 121) (depending on placement; see below)
- A foreign language (see below)
- A liberal arts foundations course; a course toward a minor, certificate, or other focus area; or a free elective
Math placement
Your major requires you to take the math placement exam to determine what math course is the right level for you. For more information on math placement, please review the Mathematics Department’s placement exam instructions.
Language placement
Your major requires you to complete the study of a foreign language through the intermediate level. Catholic University teaches the following languages that satisfy this requirement: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. If you are interested in learning a language not listed here, consult with your advisor.
If you have previously studied a foreign language and are interested in continuing with that same language, or if you can demonstrate fluency in a foreign language, you should complete the language placement exam.
About Your First Semester Courses
The joint major in Math and Secondary Education prepares teacher candidates to teach social studies and leads to certification at the middle and high-school level. Math and Secondary Education students take the same major courses as other Math majors. After your first year, you will also take education courses and participate in student teaching to prepare you for licensure. You do not take an education course in your first year.
In addition to the two First Year Learning Community courses, you will take a calculus course. Unless you scored well on an AP calculus exam, you will need to take the calculus placement exam to determine the appropriate level course. If you do not place into MATH 121, you should take the online summer pre-calc review course, MATH 11.
You should also continue or begin your study of a foreign language.
For your fifth course, you can choose what you like. You can take a liberal arts elective or a free elective course in a subject of your interest. Or, you may wish to begin study in a secondary subject area, perhaps for a minor or certificate. We encourage you to meet with your advisor early to discuss the additional courses that may be required for you to earn your teaching license and how they can overlap with university requirements.
To learn more about the Mathematics portion of the major, consult the Mathematics Department’s website.
To learn more about Secondary Education, consult the Education Department’s website.
Know which courses you want? Get registered.