About the Program

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 MSED with initial certification program is a secondary social studies education program at the graduate level for candidates whose undergraduate degrees were in subjects related to the social studies content they wish to teach, but whose preparation in those subjects did not lead to a teaching credential. Full time study in the MSED allows candidates (who meet the history/social science requirements from their undergraduate programs or supplemental coursework) to complete their requirements for initial certification and qualify for professional certification in approximately 4 semesters including the culminating project and research requirements. The MSED offers 12 credits of foundational professional education content which includes adolescent psychology, literacy, and exceptionality and is offered through the various departments within the School of Education. An additional 27 credits of foundational social studies education content and 12 credits of student teaching are offered through the department of History and Social Studies Education within the School of Arts and Sciences. Also, the program includes the child abuse identification and reporting workshop; dignity for all students act workshop; schools against violence education workshop; fire and arson safety workshop; and alcohol and other drugs workshop. This MSED leads to a NYS certification in social studies for grades 7-12.

The following are the primary teacher candidate outcomes:
1. Content – The teacher candidate will know the social studies subject matter to be taught to grades 7-12 learners.
2. Learner – The teacher candidate will understand grades 7-12 learners’ socialization, growth and development; the learning process; reflection of teaching; and the establishment of a classroom climate that facilitates learning.
3. Pedagogy – The teacher candidate will attain an understanding of the strategies that they will use to teach all grades 7-12 learners.
4. Technology – The teacher candidate will use technology as a vehicle for grades 7-12 learners to acquire information, practice skills, use higher order thinking skills, and participate in collaborative projects.
5. Reflection – The teacher candidate will exhibit the ability to reflect and assess his/her own effectiveness, and to systematically make adjustments to improve and strengthen areas needing attention.
6. Dispositions – The teacher candidate will demonstrate respect for grades 7-12 learner differences, commitment to own personal growth, and engagement in short and long-term planning.
7. Diversity – The teacher candidate will be aware of and sensitive to diversity issues and to use culturally and socially responsive pedagogy with grades 7-12 learners.

Advisement: Each student is assigned an academic adviser. It is imperative that teacher candidates regularly consult with their advisers. Teacher candidates should consult the Teacher Certification website for current seminars and workshops.

Admission Requirements

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a 36-credit concentration in history and/or social science courses which includes economics, government, and a minimum of 30 credit hours of study in the history and geography of the United States and the world. Only grades of C or higher are accepted.[1]

2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).

3. Two years of high school or two semesters of college or university study in one world language.

[1] Prospective teacher candidates can complete any deficiencies in the 36-credit concentration in history and/or social science, and world language coursework while enrolled in the program but before they are eligible to student teach.

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 Teacher and Teaching Candidates 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

Professional Education Courses (36 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
SSE500 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION | 3 - Credit Hours
SSE602 HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES INSTRUCTION | 3 - Credit Hours
SSE513 SEMINAR IN SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU609 RESEARCH AND PRACTICE IN ADOLESCENT LITERACY | 3 - Credit Hours
SSE603 MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES INSTRUCTION | 3 - Credit Hours
SSE655 SOCIAL STUDIES LABORATORY | 3 - Credit Hours
SSE632 TEACHING WITH HISTORIC PLACES | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU606 LITERACY INSTRUCTION FOR CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE STUDENTS | 3 - Credit Hours
SSE502 TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES | 3 - Credit Hours
EXE500 INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS | 3 - Credit Hours
SPF529 ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
SSE671 TECHNOLOGY IN THE SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSROOM | 3 - Credit Hours

Research Course (3 credit hours)
Select one from the following:

Complete ANY of the following Courses:
SSE689 RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES | 3 - Credit Hours
SSE595 RESEARCH METHODS IN SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES | 3 - Credit Hours
SPF689 METHODS AND TECHNIQUES OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH | 3 - Credit Hours

Field Experience and Student Teaching Requirements (12 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
SSE611 STUDENT TEACHING OF SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE HIGH SCHOOL | 6 - Credit Hours
SSE609 STUDENT TEACHING OF SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL | 6 - Credit Hours

Graduate Project or Comprehensive Examination (0 credit hours)
Select one from the following: Graduate Project OR Comprehensive Examination

51 Total Credit Hours