Leverage your interests in mathematics and helping others learn mathematics into a rewarding, well paid career in K-12 mathematics education. Mathematics and STEM majors are in high demand in K-12 mathematics education. The work is intellectually challenging, personally rewarding and salaries range from $56k to $150k for 10 months work. A significant number of undergraduates in our Math for LA program go on to become teacher leaders, increasing local community access to high quality K-12 mathematics.
Math for LA

Math for LA supports undergraduates pursuing a career in K-12 mathematics education through a sequence of mathematics courses (Math 73XP, Math 74XP, Math 75XP & Math 105ABC), the Mathematics for Teaching major and minor, two credential pathways, and scholarships.

Annual Information Sessions
Dates and Times
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Events
2023 Fall Information Session
2024 Winter Information Session
Location
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Virtual Counselor

Freshman
We encourage freshman pre-math majors interested in a career in K-12 mathematics education to:
- enroll in Math 73XP Fall quarter
- complete Math 31A, 31B, 32A, 61, Physics 1A or 5A, and Pic 10A
- start working on completing two courses from:
Physics 1B or 5B, Physics 1C or 5C, Chem 20A, Chem 20B, or Pic 10B – 97 - fulfill the U.S. Constitution requirement for the CA Teaching Credential by taking one of the following general ed courses:
Hist 13A/B/C, Hist 143A/B, Pol Sci 40
Pedagogical Content Courses
Math 73XP: Key Issues in K-12 Mathematics
Enroll in Math 73XP (only offered Fall quarter). This course has no prerequisite and its field experience component counts towards 20 of the 600 clinical practice hours required for a CA Teaching Credential.
Undergraduate Major
Mathematics for Teaching Major
The Mathematics for Teaching Major is designed for students preparing for a career in instruction, curriculum development, and/or assessment of secondary school mathematics. The major focuses on providing a substantial foundation for potential teacher leaders. It provides broad exposure to mathematical knowledge for teaching, as well as introduction to an array of professional issues in mathematics education. The major includes clinical practice and a capstone portfolio. Special attention will be paid to students in the major to ensure that they satisfy the mathematics subject matter competency requirements for the California Single Subject Mathematics Teaching Credential.
Find more information about the Math for Teaching Major, visit the undergraduate math department website.
We encourage freshman interested in a career in K-12 mathematics education who are majoring in a subject other than mathematics to:
- enroll in Math 73XP Fall quarter
- complete Math 31A, 31B, 32A, 61, Physics 1A or 5A, and Pic 10A
- start working on completing two courses from:
Physics 1B or 5B, Physics 1C or 5C, Chem 20A, Chem 20B, or Pic 10B – 97 - fulfill the U.S. Constitution requirement for the CA Teaching Credential by taking one of the following general ed courses:
Hist 13A/B/C, Hist 143A/B, Pol Sci 40
Pedagogical Content Courses
Math 73XP: Key Issues in K-12 Mathematics
Enroll in Math 73XP (only offered Fall quarter). This course has no prerequisite and its field experience component counts towards 20 of the 600 clinical practice hours required for a CA Teaching Credential.
Undergraduate Minor
Mathematics for Teaching Minor
The Mathematics for Teaching Minor is designed to provide non-mathematics majors with mathematical and pedagogical content knowledge for teaching middle and high school mathematics. The minor recognizes completion of requisite coursework for the Joint Mathematics Education Program and the Integrated Pathway, and also prepares students for the content of the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). This minor is open to non-mathematics majors.
Find more information about the Math for Teaching Minor, visit the undergraduate math department website.
Sophomore
We encourage sophomore pre-math majors interested in a career in K-12 mathematics education to:
- enroll in Math 74XP Winter quarter
- complete Math 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, and 115A
- finish completing two courses from:
Physics 1B or 5B, Physics 1C or 5C, Chem 20A, Chem 20B, or Pic 10B – 97 - finish fulfilling the U.S. Constitution requirement for the CA Teaching Credential by taking one of the following general ed courses:
Hist 13A/B/C, Hist 143A/B, Pol Sci 40 - review the California Basic Skills guidelines to determine how to satisfy this requirement for a CA Teaching Credential
- if you are interested in completing the Math for LA: Integrated Pathway, be sure to apply by week 5 of your Spring quarter
Pedagogical Content Courses
Math 74XP: Mathematics and Pedagogy for Teaching Elementary Mathematics
Enroll in Math 74XP (only offered Winter quarter). This course has no prerequisite and its field experience component counts towards 20 of the 600 clinical practice hours required for a CA Teaching Credential.
Undergraduate Major
Mathematics for Teaching Major
The Mathematics for Teaching Major is designed for students preparing for a career in instruction, curriculum development, and/or assessment of secondary school mathematics. The major focuses on providing a substantial foundation for potential teacher leaders. It provides broad exposure to mathematical knowledge for teaching, as well as introduction to an array of professional issues in mathematics education. The major includes clinical practice and a capstone portfolio. Special attention will be paid to students in the major to ensure that they satisfy the mathematics subject matter competency requirements for the California Single Subject Mathematics Teaching Credential.
Find more information about the Math for Teaching Major, visit the undergraduate math department website.
We encourage sophomores interested in a career in K-12 mathematics education who are majoring in a subject other than mathematics to:
- enroll in Math 74XP Winter quarter
- complete Math 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, and 115A
- finish completing two courses from:
Physics 1B or 5B, Physics 1C or 5C, Chem 20A, Chem 20B, or Pic 10B – 97 - finish fulfilling the U.S. Constitution requirement for the CA Teaching Credential by taking one of the following general ed courses:
Hist 13A/B/C, Hist 143A/B, Pol Sci 40 - review the California Basic Skills guidelines to determine how to satisfy this requirement for a CA Teaching Credential
- if you are interested in completing the Math for LA: Integrated Pathway, be sure to apply by week 5 of your Spring quarter
Pedagogical Content Courses
Math 74XP: Mathematics and Pedagogy for Teaching Elementary Mathematics
Enroll in Math 74XP (only offered Winter quarter). This course has no prerequisite and its field experience component counts towards 20 of the 600 clinical practice hours required for a CA Teaching Credential.
Undergraduate Minor
Mathematics for Teaching Minor
The Mathematics for Teaching Minor is designed to provide non-mathematics majors with mathematical and pedagogical content knowledge for teaching middle and high school mathematics. The minor recognizes completion of requisite coursework for the Joint Mathematics Education Program and the Integrated Pathway, and also prepares students for the content of the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). This minor is open to non-mathematics majors.
Find more information about the Math for Teaching Minor, visit the undergraduate math department website.
Junior
We encourage junior math majors interested in a career in K-12 mathematics education to:
- enroll in Math 75XP Spring quarter
- complete Math 110A, 120A, and 131A
- complete three or four more of your particular major’s upper division coursework
- if you are interested in completing the Math for LA: Joint Math/Ed Program, be sure to apply by December 1st of your Fall quarter
- if you are working on the Math for LA: Integrated Pathway, complete Ed 107A, Math 73XP, Math 74XP, Math 75XP, Ed 409, and Ed 425 (Ed 409 & Ed 425 offered the summer before senior year)
Pedagogical Content Courses
Math 75XP: Mathematics and Pedagogy for Teaching Middle School Mathematics
Enroll in Math 75XP (only offered Spring quarter). This course has no prerequisite and its field experience component counts towards 20 of the 600 clinical practice hours required for a CA Teaching Credential.
Credential Requirements
Review the credentials page to satisfy the Basic Skills, Subject Matter Competence, and US Constitution requirements for a CA Teaching Credential in Mathematics.
We encourage juniors interested in a career in K-12 mathematics education who are majoring in a subject other than mathematics to:
- enroll in Math 75XP Spring quarter
- complete Math 110A, 120A, and 131A
- if you are interested in completing the Math for LA: Joint Math/Ed Program, be sure to apply by December 1st of your Fall quarter
- if you are working on the Math for LA: Integrated Pathway, complete Ed 107A, Math 73XP, Math 74XP, Math 75XP, Ed 409, and Ed 425 (Ed 409 & Ed 425 offered the summer before senior year)
Pedagogical Content Courses
Math 75XP: Mathematics and Pedagogy for Teaching Middle School Mathematics
Enroll in Math 75XP (only offered Spring quarter). This course has no prerequisite and its field experience component counts towards 20 of the 600 clinical practice hours required for a CA Teaching Credential.
Credential Requirements
Review the credentials page to satisfy the Basic Skills, Subject Matter Competence, and US Constitution requirements for a CA Teaching Credential in Mathematics.
Senior
We encourage seniors preparing for a career in K-12 mathematics education to:
- complete Math 105AB&C
- complete your particular math major’s upper division coursework
- if you are working on the Math for LA: Integrated Pathway or the Math for LA: Joint Math/Ed Pathway, complete Ed 127, Ed 406, Ed 330AB&C, Ed 360AB&C, and Ed 405AB&C
Pedagogical Content Courses
Math 105ABC
The Math 105AB&C coursework includes field experience that counts for 20 of the 600 clinical fieldwork hours required for a CA Teaching Credential. Prerequisites: 115A, 110A or 117, 120A or 123, and 131A.
Please note: Please fill out the Math 105 PTE Request Form if you do not currently satisfy the prerequisites above. For any additional questions, feel free to email Julian Rojas at jrojas@math.ucla.edu.
About the Education Coursework
The Education coursework listed above satisfies the Pedagogical Competence requirement for a CA Teaching Credential. This coursework satisfies 280 of the 600 hours of clinical fieldwork required for a CA Teaching Credential. In addition, you will need to complete the EdTPA, a portfolio-like summative assessment. You will be guided through writing your EdTPA in these classes.
Credential Requirements
Review the credentials page to satisfy the Basic Skills, Subject Matter Competence, and US Constitution requirements for a CA Teaching Credential in Mathematics.
We encourage seniors preparing for a career in K-12 mathematics education who are majoring in a subject other than mathematics to:
- complete Math 105AB&C
- if you are working on the Math for LA: Integrated Pathway or the Math for LA: Joint Math/Ed Pathway, complete Ed 127, Ed 406, Ed 330AB&C, Ed 360AB&C, and Ed 405AB&C
Pedagogical Content Courses
Math 105ABC
The Math 105AB&C coursework includes field experience that counts for 20 of the 600 clinical fieldwork hours required for a CA Teaching Credential. Prerequisites: 115A, 110A or 117, 120A or 123, and 131A.
Please note: Please fill out the Math 105 PTE Request Form if you do not currently satisfy the prerequisites above. For any additional questions, feel free to email Julian Rojas at jrojas@math.ucla.edu.
About the Education Coursework
The Education coursework listed above satisfies the Pedagogical Competence requirement for a CA Teaching Credential. This coursework satisfies 280 of the 600 hours of clinical fieldwork required for a CA Teaching Credential. In addition, you will need to complete the EdTPA, a portfolio-like summative assessment. You will be guided through writing your EdTPA in these classes.
Credential Requirements
Review the credentials page to satisfy the Basic Skills, Subject Matter Competence, and US Constitution requirements for a CA Teaching Credential in Mathematics.
Frequently Asked Questions

Students do not need to apply to become a member of Math for LA. You are a Math for LA student if you meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Have completed at least one pedagogical math course offered through the mathematics department: Math 73XP, Math 74XP, Math 75XP, Math 105A, Math 105B or Math 105C
- Are a Math for Teaching Major or Minor
- Are in one of our credential pathways that are offered jointly with the Graduate School of Education: Joint Math Education Pathway and the Integrated Pathway
- Are satisfying the Subject Matter Competence credential requirement via the Subject Matter Preparation Program
Math for LA offers two pathways – jointly created by the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and the Mathematics Department – each leading to a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Mathematics.
In these pathways, you learn about pedagogy and develop the essential skills every teacher needs for their career. You not only learn how to create you own lessons, but you also learn about educational research and theory that will help you cater your lessons to meet the needs of your students. You will also complete teacher observations in nearby public schools and have the opportunity to teach your own lessons to students. By the end of these pathways, you will have developed a teacher toolkit and be ready to teach your own classroom as a full time K-12 math educator.
- In the Integrated pathway, students complete courses in education and mathematics during their junior and senior years to earn a California teaching credential upon graduation.
- In the Joint Math Education Pathway (JMEP), students complete courses in education and mathematics during their senior year. They complete additional education courses the following summer to earn a California teaching credential. Over the following academic year, they complete graduate courses to earn a master’s degree in Education.
Questions
If you have questions after using our virtual counselor, please reach out to our student advisors.
For Math for LA advising:
Julian Rojas
Curtis Center Math for LA Coordinator
jrojas@math.ucla.edu
For undergraduate mathematics advising:
Trisha Tran
Undergraduate Officer
Department of Mathematics
6356 Mathematical Sciences
(310) 206-1286
ugrad@math.ucla.edu