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History / Social Studies Teacher Education Programs

(found programs from 1207 schools)

Below is a directory (broken down by state) of all of the History / Social Studies Teacher Education programs we could find, from over 1,700 accredited colleges and universities across the US.

Introduction to Social Studies Teaching Careers

If you think social studies is just about memorizing important dates, think again. Historical dates matter, but social studies teachers are in the business of producing informed citizens who can take an active role in our democracy and the global community. That means social studies teachers are more concerned with teaching students how to think about and learn from history whether it’s ancient, modern, world or U.S. history. In social studies, students learn about cultures, governments, global issues and civic ideals.


Social Studies Teaching Job Description

The National Council for the Social Studies describes social studies as the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence." Social studies teachers work at the elementary, middle, and secondary school levels. At the elementary level, the curriculum tends to be generalized. The classroom teacher provides instruction in social studies and other core subject areas. At the middle and secondary levels, the social studies curriculum becomes specialized and includes disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, civics, economics and political science. Courses are often organized by era such as modern or ancient history.

Social studies teachers design and implement lesson plans that engage students in major curriculum themes such as civic ideals and practices, governance, environments and global issues. They teach students how to find and evaluate information sources and historical accounts. They also encourage students to examine current events and make interpretations based on their knowledge of history.


Social Studies Teaching Requirements

Social studies teachers in public schools must be licensed by the state in which they work. All 50 states require that social studies teachers hold a bachelor’s degree from an approved teacher education program. At the elementary level, social studies teachers typically hold a degree in elementary education. Social studies teachers at the secondary level usually hold a degree in secondary social studies education with a concentration area such as history, geography or political science. Both elementary and secondary social studies teachers are required to do a student teaching internship and pass a competency test to receive a license.


Social Studies Teaching Career Outlook

Prospective social studies teachers may need to look longer and harder for a job than those in other specialties. A 2008 report by the American Association on Employment in Education identified social studies as a category with a surplus of qualified candidates. Candidates who are geographically mobile will have better prospects. Salaries for social studies teachers vary from one school district to the next. Public school social studies teachers can expect to earn more than those in private schools. The median annual salary for all teachers in elementary and secondary schools ranged from $47,000 to $51,000 in 2008, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.


Social Studies Teaching Trends

In an era of increased testing, many social studies teachers feel their specialty is getting short shrift. In a 2010 study by the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, 70 percent of the social studies teachers surveyed said their classes are a lower priority because of the pressure to demonstrate progress on state mandated math and language arts tests.

Online History Education Programs

Whether you are an aspiring teacher or a current teacher, earning a history education degree online could be an option for you. Online degrees are available at the bachelor's, master's and post-baccalaureate levels.

The structure of online programs varies somewhat between schools and degree types, but generally, curricula are broken into units and each unit is assessed separately, culminating in a capstone project and/or internship. Typically, online programs in history education include courses in historical perspective, government and political science, as well as a choice of social science electives.

The speed with which online degrees are completed depends greatly on the work ethic and schedule of the student, but typically, online bachelor's degrees take three to four years to complete, and master's and post-baccalaureate degrees take 18 months to two years. Online programs in history education are ideal for individuals who wish to maintain their current employment while pursuing their degrees, and who are self-motivated and organized. Those who learn better within the structure and discipline of the classroom environment may wish to enroll in on-campus courses.

Two schools offering online programs in history education that you may wish to consider are Grand Canyon University and Western Governors University.

The Bachelor of Science in secondary education, with an emphasis in social studies, program offered by Grand Canyon University can prepare students for a teaching career in grades 7-12. All courses are aligned with the standards of the National Council for the Social Studies and are designed to maximize content knowledge. The online learning system is available 24 hours a day, allowing students to create their own learning schedules.

Western Governors University offers a Master of Arts in teaching social science 5-12 program that is designed for individuals who already possess a bachelor's degree, preferably in one of the social science disciplines. This flexible program includes 37 competency units in addition to 12 to 20 weeks of supervised practice teaching.


Useful Resources


Featured Online Programs:


Grand Canyon University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Phoenix, AZ
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers only)
B.S. in Secondary Education: Social Studies

Kaplan University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Cedar Falls, IA / Cedar Rapids, IA / Chicago, IL / Council Bluffs, IA / Davenport, IA / Fort Lauderdale, FL / Greenacres, FL / Hagerstown, MD / Lincoln, NE / Mason City, IA / Miami Lakes, FL / New York, NY / Omaha, NE / S Portland, ME / St. Petersburg, FL / Urbandale, IA
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers only)
MA in Teaching (for Aspiring Teachers Grades 5-12)

Liberty University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers only)
M.A. - Teaching - Secondary EducationMA - Teaching - Elementary Ed

University of Cincinnati (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Cincinnati, OH
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)

MEd - Curriculum & Instruction

Walden University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Minneapolis, MN
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
Master of Science (M.S.) in Education - Literacy and Learning in the Content Areas

Western Governors University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
100% Online
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited, TEAC accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers only)
M.A. in Teaching - Social Science (5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program - Social Science (5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program (K-8)

WGU Indiana (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Indianapolis, IN
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers only)
M.A. in Teaching - Social Science (5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program - Social Science (5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program (K-8)

WGU Washington (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Seattle, WA
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers only)
M.A. in Teaching - Social Science (5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program - Social Science (5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program (K-8)




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