For the Fall 2024 semester, Middlesex Community College introduced a new mathematics co-requisite. The option helps student save time and money by completing their math requirement in the first year of college.
“Co-requisite math education allows students to develop essential math skills while directly applying them to the topics they are studying in their college-level math course,” said Dr. Linda Dart-Kathios, MCC Math Faculty Member. “We have been offering these courses for several years to help students complete their college-level math requirements within their first year at Middlesex.”
A math co-requisite allows a student to fulfil a math requirement at the same time they are taking a paired math class. According to “The Long-Term Impacts of Corequisite Mathematics Remediation with Statistics: Degree Completion and Wage Outcomes,” college math completion rates show students taking co-requisite math courses are 50 percent more likely to complete a college-level math course and complete an associate degree within three years than those who take the traditional math sequence.
“Co-requisite math education allows students to develop essential math skills while directly applying them to the topics they are studying in their college-level math course," - Linda Dart-Kathios, MCC Math Faculty Member.
Math co-requisite pairings allow students – who might not otherwise be ready or willing – an option to enroll directly into a college-level course. Benefits include a boost in confidence, strengthening math knowledge and skills, and one-on-one support from tutors embedded in the course.
“At MCC, we are always looking for ways to better guide our students to success,” said Dr. Marie Tupaj, MCC’s Dean of STEM. “The math co-requisite presents a clearer path to completing their college math requirements, while making math more accessible to all students. Each class is taught by the same professor, so students feel comfortable as they hone their skills.”
Upon completion of the co-requisite, students will receive a traditional letter grade in both classes. The college-level math course will apply toward graduation requirements and is transferable to a four-year institution.
Course options within the co-requisite include Skills for College Math, Skills Development or Skills Development for Precalculus paired with Statistics, Precalculus for Engineering and Science, Math for Liberal Arts or Precalculus for Business and Social Science.
An MCC student said, “Having the mix of learning basic math skills and statistics at the same time was very helpful.”
Email Dart-Kathios for more information.