Elementary Mathematics Specialist P-5 (CERT)

Graduate Certificate in Elementary Mathematics Specialist (P-5)

Unit: College of Education and Human Development
Department:  Elementary, Middle and Secondary Teacher Education
Program Webpage
Academic Plan Code(s): EMASCGR, EMASCGRO

Program Information

This program can be completed 100% online.

The Elementary Mathematics Specialist (EMS) Graduate Certificate is a 5-course program designed to increase the math teaching expertise of elementary teachers and prepare leaders in mathematics education.  It is  the same coursework as the current EMS non-degree Kentucky endorsement. With adherence to the NCTM standards for Elementary Teachers and the AMTE standards for Elementary Mathematics Specialists, the program provides multiple experiences for candidates to learn in collaboration with classroom teachers, administrators, students, and local and professional communities. 

The graduate certificate program is not designed to lead to initial licensure in any state and is intended to prepare certified Kentucky teachers to earn an endorsement to their license.  Although some or all of the program's coursework may count toward stand-alone licenses or endorsements in other states, this program is not an approved endorsement program in states other than Kentucky.  Out of state students who intend to pursue licensure or an endorsement should check with their state licensing board before making a decision about whether this program will meet their needs.  For Kentucky certified teachers, completion of the certificate leads to a teaching endorsement.
The EMS program can be a stand-alone Graduate Certificate or embedded as a specialty area within the Masters in Education (M.Ed.) in Teaching and Learning or Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction, or Rank 1 programs.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the Elementary Mathematics Specialist (P-5) certificate program must submit the following:

• Completed UofL graduate application submitted at https://apply.graduate.louisville.edu/apply/
• Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework.  To be considered official, transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution to the UofL Graduate School. Transcripts issued to the candidate, and/or uploaded by the candidate, are considered unofficial.
  • International transcripts must be evaluated per UofL Graduate School requirements: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international/evaluation
• Copy of current Kentucky teaching certificate (if pursuing program for EMS endorsement in Kentucky)
• Current resume
• Signed documents included in the application. You will be asked to review and sign the Professional Code of Ethics/Technology User Agreement.

Admission Requirements

• Complete application (including all checklist items above and payment submitted).
• Bachelor’s degree candidates enrolled in the final semester of their bachelor’s degree can be reviewed for provisional admission - pending a final, degree transcript. 
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 for undergraduate work and 3.0 for graduate work.

Program admission dates:  Spring, Summer or Fall semester 

Application Deadlines:  December 1 for Spring, April 1 for Summer, and August 1 for Fall 

Program Requirements

Exit Assessment: Successful completion of all required coursework; scored Target or above on all professional standards rubrics for each course signature assessment (Hallmark Assessment Task) and the CAEP Standard RA1 Six sub-components; minimum 3.0 GPA with no grade lower than C.