Requirements
Applicants from a broad background of disciplines relevant to mathematics education are encouraged to apply. As a field of research, mathematics education draws on an eclectic blend of disciplines. Because of the rich interdisciplinary nature of the field, the proposed program is intentionally designed to be inclusive of applicants with many backgrounds. It is also important to stress that the design of the program is tightly focused on a cohort model. Students will be expected to follow a well-defined program that focuses their study each year for preparation and production of the dissertation via specific courses and electives. The cohort model aims to strengthen coherence of the overall program of study. On admission, students will need to show evidence that they understand the expectation of the program and how this approach will strengthen their research skills over time. Indeed, we expect this diversity to enrich not only the overall experience of all doctoral students in the program, but the potential contribution students can make to the research aims of both the program and the Kaput Center.

Applications will be accepted from individuals holding appropriate bachelor's degrees or master's degrees (or the US baccalaureate equivalents from a foreign institution). Applicants are expected to have a background in mathematics education and teaching, or related fields including but not limited to mathematics, psychology, cognitive science, learning sciences, computer science, engineering, and educational research.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact participating faculty to explore how they might benefit from the program and outline potential research interests and career trajectories before submitting the application. The results of these contacts should be included in their final Letter of Intent.

Applicants might be conditionally accepted to the program with certain additional requirements to be completed before advancing to doctoral student status (end of year 2). These might include additional courses in mathematics/mathematics education (up to 12 credits) and/or teaching internships. Such coursework will focus on the creation of smart mathematical knowledge that adopts a K-20 approach in the development of mathematical ideas and builds students' understanding of the use and application of this knowledge in mathematics education. These will be outlined by the Program Director on acceptance to the program.

Standards
Applicants submit the following and are expected to meet the standards as indicated:

1. In general students with an overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher will be considered for admission. Applicants must present official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all schools attended. Students without a Masters will likely be expected to complete additional courses unless existing evidence of exemplary research and development skills can be demonstrated.
2. Applicants should present results of a Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The Admissions Committee and the Program Director will pay particular attention to the applicant's score on the new GRE analytical writing section of the general examination because of the emphasis placed on strong writing skills in the program. Only official scores from the Educational Testing Service will be considered acceptable.
3. International students should present a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 (paper version) or 213 (computer version). Only official TOEFL scores from the Educational Testing Service will be considered acceptable.
4. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic ability and potential to conduct research at the doctoral level will be required.
5. Applicants will also be required to submit a Letter of Intent (Statement of Purpose). This Letter is an important element in the application packet. It has two related roles:
• Indication of an applicant's qualification and motivation for the program including their personal and career goals. This should relate to the interdisciplinary nature of the doctorate and discuss recent research and development experience (academic, commercial) and any publications, formal presentations, grants, or patents;
• Indication of how the applicant will fit into the program by outlining potential interests and any particular faculty they would wish to work with.
• Personal resume

Individual circumstances can be taken into account and extraordinary qualifications can lead to a waiver in the above requirements. Each applicant will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We encourage all applicants to present as much relevant information to support their application and outline all strengths relevant to the pursued study of research. An admission decision is accompanied by an appropriate program of courses for the applicant. The interdisciplinary nature of our program gives special importance to the advising relationship in forming a specific academic program to meet each student's specific goals. Applicants may be offered admission with a number of additional courses identified as conditional requirements that they will need to take to fill in for gaps in preparation or knowledge. Each admitted student is assigned to a faculty advisor who is identified in the letter of admission. Transfer of Credits/Advanced Standing Students who have previously completed graduate course work in mathematics education may transfer up to 12 credits following the UMass Dartmouth graduate transfer policies. Decisions will be made by the Program Director. The transfer credit may replace core or elective units from the preparatory or introductory years. Capstone courses, qualifying exams, and dissertation research credits will not be accepted for transfer.

Transfer of Credits/Advanced Standing
Students who have previously completed graduate course work in mathematics education may transfer up to 12 credits following the UMass Dartmouth graduate transfer policies. Decisions will be made by the Program Director. The transfer credit may replace core or elective units from the preparatory or introductory years. Capstone courses, qualifying exams, and dissertation research credits will not be accepted for transfer.

Admissions Process
UMass Dartmouth will announce admissions decisions dates for Fall and Spring semester entrance. Although applications may be accepted by the campus after those dates, available spaces in the program may have already been committed. The same dates will serve as preferred deadlines for financial assistance consideration, after which applicants will risk significant reductions in the availability of assistantship support. We reserve the right to offer admission and assistantships before and after the announced deadlines.

Expected Time to Graduation and Projected Degree Completion Rates
Students whose cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 (on a four-point scale) after 15 or more semester hours of earned credit or who are making insufficient progress are subject to consideration of dismissal. The program will monitor students' progression, and will impose whenever appropriate a "probation period," offering up to one academic year to recover their cumulative GPA score to 3.0 or higher. If they do not succeed during this time, students will be dismissed from the graduate program. Individuals who have been dismissed may be allowed to re-enter the program at a later time if they reapply for admission and show new evidence of academic credibility.

Financial Assistance
A limited number of assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Applicants desiring teaching or research assistantships should present this need in their Letter of Intent outlining clearly why they desire the particular assistantship and how they would benefit from it. Additionally, the applicant should identify any relevant qualifications or expertise that would facilitate the award of specific types of assistantships.

Other assistance, such as loans or work-study, may be available to the applicant. Please refer to the chapter in the graduate catalogue on "Expenses and Financial Assistance."