About the Program
Accredited: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) (formerly NCATE)
Enrollment in all teacher education programs follows the guidelines for "Admission to Teacher Education Programs" found in this catalog. Applicants who do not yet meet all admissions criteria should consult with the department.
Professional Licensure: This program leads to a recommendation for NYS certification; please check for certification requirements in all other states.
The master of science in social studies education (7-12) program helps candidates become educational leaders and innovative change agents as they acquire eligibility for permanent/professional teaching certification for grades 7-12.
The program is based on a model that gives equal weight to pedagogy and content matter. Fifteen credit hours of social studies education/pedagogy and 15 credit hours of history/social sciences are required for the M.S. in education degree. The social studies education/pedagogy portion of the program consists of courses in social studies curriculum, social studies methods, theory, and research methods to address the curricular concerns of the National Council for the Social Studies. The history/social science portion is divided into 9 credit hours of concentration and 6 credit hours of electives. Furthermore, the program links pedagogy and the content area by requiring two block courses (6 credit hours each) so students concurrently take a history and related pedagogy course in the same semester.
At the completion of 12 credit hours of coursework in the program, the student must have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
Advisement: Each student is assigned an academic adviser. It is imperative that students regularly consult with their advisers. All students must have their programs of study approved by their advisers and the department chair.
Candidates should consult the Teacher Certification website for current seminars and workshops.
Graduation Requirements
1. Successful completion of a master’s thesis (SSE 795)
2. A comprehensive examination
3. Defense of a graduate portfolio.
Admission Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
2. 36 credit hours in history and/or the social sciences.
3. Initial certificate in Social Studies 7-12
4. In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in this catalog.
Learning Outcomes
1. The Learner and Learning Candidates will use understanding of adolescent development, individual differences and diverse cultures to ensure inclusive, student-centered learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
2. The Content Candidates will demonstrate understanding of central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of disciplines to be taught and be able to connect concepts to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity and collaborative problem solving related to authentic issues.
3. The Teachers will use multiple methods of assessment, plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals and use varied an innovative instructional strategy to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content.
4. The Profession and Professional Dispositions Candidates will engage in ongoing professional learning, use evidence to reflect on their own practice, seek appropriate leadership roles and collaborate with families, colleagues, and the community to advance the profession.
Program Requirements
At least 15 credit hours must be from 600-or 700-level courses.
Required Courses (15 credit hours) 1
History and/or social science courses; 9 more credit hours must be concentrated in a single discipline. 15
Professional Education Courses (15 credit hours)
SSE 502 TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES 2 3
SSE 513 SEMINAR IN SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES 3
SSE 655 SOCIAL STUDIES LABORATORY 2 3
SSE 689 RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES 3
SSE Elective Social Studies Education Elective 3
Master's Thesis, Portfolio Defense, or Comprehensive Examination (0-6 credit hours)
Select one from the following: 0-6
SSE 795 MASTER'S THESIS (1-6)
Defense of Graduate Portfolio
Comprehensive Examination
Total Credit Hours 30-36
1 Selected under advisement.
2 Must be taken concurrently with one History content course.