Academic Programs - Social Studies Education
The Social Studies Education Program’s mission is to advance knowledgeable, reflective, and active democratic citizenship for the state of Georgia, the nation, and the world through exemplary and rigorous social studies teacher preparation, scholarship, and service. Our work is framed by commitments to social justice, equity, and democratic principles in education and the world beyond schools.
INITIAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
The Social Studies Program offers both bachelor’s–level (B.S.Ed.) and master’s–level (M.A.T.) options that lead to initial teaching certification in the social studies education fields of history, economics, political science, and geography in grades 6–12 in the state of Georgia. Pre-service teachers in these programs develop the dispositions, knowledge, and skills to help students develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.
PROFESSIONAL DEGREE PROGRAMS
The Social Studies Program also offers opportunities for certified educators to enhance their preparation as teachers or develop expertise as teacher educators in master’s, specialist, and doctoral programs in social studies education.
Students who move beyond the master’s degree typically choose either the specialist (Ed.S.) or the doctoral (Ph.D.) program for their terminal degree work, though students with a specialist degree sometimes go on to complete a doctorate.
The master’s degree option for certified teachers (Med) is designed to meet both immediate and long–term goals of social studies educators as teachers and scholars.
Specialist of Education (Ed.S.)
The specialist program is designed for individuals who intend to focus their careers on teaching and curriculum leadership at the pre–collegiate level.
Doctorate of Education (Ph.D.)
The doctoral program is designed for those who seek additional career options, including work as researchers and teacher educators at the college or university level. In doctoral study, students are expected to develop teaching and research skills and engage in intensive study of educational issues. The program of study is not simply a list of courses to be completed but a comprehensive set of experiences that the student designs with the support of the major professor and advisory committee. All doctoral students must complete a dissertation. Doctoral programs typically require more than three years of intensive study and research.
The Program offers a limited number of competitive Graduate Assistantships to doctoral students. Graduate Assistantships provide a monthly stipend during the academic year and tuition support. Graduate Assistants typically provide instructional and research support to the Program.
