Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Social Studies Education

Overview

Offered online through the University of Georgia Mary Frances Early College of Education’s Department of Mathematics and Science Education, the Master of Education in Social Studies Education focuses on cultivating the ways in which middle school and high school students conceive of their own place in history, position in the economy, impact in civic spaces, and their notions of belonging. For this program, we seek teachers who wish to continue to refine their strategies for teaching about the rich complexities of the cultural world in the 21st century.

The program consists of 36 hours of coursework culminating in a comprehensive examination. Depending on your school district, completion of this program may lead to a T-5 certification upgrade. and should also benefit from a certificate upgrade in most other states. All required coursework is available online to accommodate working professionals and is taught by the internationally recognized faculty of UGA’s award-winning College of Education. Nearly all Master of Education in Social Studies Education students pursue the degree on a part-time basis while maintaining a full-time teaching position, although those able to devote themselves to full-time study or to attend some face-to-face courses at UGA’s Athens or Gwinnett campuses might choose to do so.

Through this program, you will have the opportunity to choose courses that speak to your unique interests as a social studies teacher. The flexibility of the program extends into scheduling as well. We offer fully online courses to fit the availability of practicing professionals.

Your academic program as a master’s student will vary depending on your interests. Core courses provide you with an introduction to the curriculum, context, and research. You will select the remainder of your courses with the guidance of your faculty advisor.

This is a 36-credit-hour degree culminating in a comprehensive examination. You will take three required courses at some point during the program that cover research, contemporary challenges in social studies education, and curriculum in social studies education. You may determine the remaining coursework with your faculty advisor. This flexible structure ensures that our program addresses your professional focus and that your graduate studies lead to more effective classroom teaching.

Our nationally recognized faculty will work with you to customize your degree program.

Is the Master of Education in Social Studies Education degree the right degree for me? 

Is the Master of Education in Social Studies Education degree the right degree for me? 

1) Yes, if you are a Georgia teacher certified to teach social studies at the middle or secondary level and you are looking to upgrade your certification from T4 to T5.  Focal areas include economics, geography, history, and political science.

2) Yes, if you are interested in issues related to teaching and learning, but are not seeking certification (e.g., community college faculty, etc.). Such applicants should be aware that the primary emphasis in our Master of Education in Science Education program is on issues related to teaching and learning at the middle and high school levels.

Accreditations

The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of Georgia also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Georgia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Admissions

Credits and Transfer

Total Hours Required to Earn Degree:  36 (credit hours)

Maximum Hours Transferable into Program: 6

Only transfer credits from an accredited institution will be considered. If transfer credit is awarded, it will still be necessary to complete the required number of hours to graduate, which will more than likely necessitate additional coursework above and beyond the degree program requirements.

Master of Education in Social Studies Education Admission Requirements

Prospective candidates must:

• Hold a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university

All requirements for admission to the proposed online M.Ed. in Social Studies Education will be the same as those for the existing on-campus program. Specifically, all applicants will:

• Have earned, or will have earned, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before the date of enrollment at the University of Georgia.
• Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for all courses taken
• Have scored a minimum of 20 points each on the Speaking and Writing sections of the TOEFL with an overall minimum score of 80 [for international applicants]. Test scores must be within 2 years of the date of application.
• Submit a statement of purpose and resume/CV.
• Provide three letters of recommendation. [This requirement is waived if a Double Dawgs applicant.]

Master of Education in Social Studies Education Application Checklist

1. Application – Submit the Graduate School Admissions online.  Application fee: $75. 
2. Select campus – Online 
3. Select Intended Program – MED, Social Studies Education [MED_ESOC_ONL] 
4. Résumé or curriculum vitae – Upload to the Graduate School application.
5. Statement of Purpose – Submit a 1200-1500 word statement of purpose online to the Graduate School. The statement of intent should clarify the candidate’s relevant background, interests, and goals in relation to the program.
6. Transcripts – Upload unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended to the Graduate School application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission.
7. Letters of Recommendation – Submit three letters of recommendation online to graduate school. Letters should be from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarly ability and potential for success in a graduate program. Preferably, at least two of them are from faculty who have instructed the applicant in a previous program of study. The application will prompt your recommenders to submit their letters electronically. [This requirement is waived if a Double Dawgs applicant.]

Application Deadlines

Domestic Applicants

• Summer: April 1
• Fall: July 1
• Spring: November 15

International Applicants

• Fall: April 15

Cost

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates and student fees may change each year. 

Based on 2024-25 credit-hour cost, a person who had completed this program at the recommended pace would have paid $15,372 in tuition for a Georgia Resident and $42,552 in tuition for an out-of-state student.

Please use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar’s Office website to calculate one academic (Fall/Spring) year’s tuition. 

Fees for those students enrolled in exclusively online programs are $422 per semester. 

Potential additional costs include:

• Textbooks
• Exam proctoring fees
• Technology upgrades 

The complete cost of attendance can be found at https://osfa.uga.edu/costs/.

Financial Aid

Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information about financial assistance.

Corporate Assistance

Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.

Military Assistance

Active-duty military, veterans, and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.

University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The purpose of TAP is to foster the professional growth and development of eligible employees. For more information, see Tuition Assistance (refer to the Distance Learning section). 

Technology Requirements

• Computer with current operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Additional peripherals such as webcam, headphones, and microphone are required.
• High-speed internet access.

Curriculum

The Master of Education in Social Studies Education program allows for flexible scheduling, rather than presuming a uniform cohort – students may begin the program in any semester, and choose how intensively to pursue coursework. It is possible, although not common, to complete the program in 4 semesters (averaging 3 courses per semester). At a minimum, UGA Graduate School rules require registration for at least one course in at least 2 of the 3 semesters of every year (Fall-Spring-Summer) until graduation. Because most students will be full-time teachers, it is expected that most students will take approximately 2 years to complete the Master of Education in Social Studies Education program, with the most common pattern being 3 courses per Summer and 1 or 2 per academic-year semester.

Courses

Required Courses (9 hours)

• ESOC 6990E, Research Seminar in Social Studies Education (3 hours)
• ESOC 7050E, Problems of Teaching Secondary Social Studies (3 hours)
• ESOC 7080E, Curriculum Planning in Social Sciences (3 hours)

Electives (27 hours)

Courses in:

• Dual Language Learners (LLED)
• Educational Law (EDAP)
• Educational Psychology (EPSY)
• Educational Research (ERSH)
• Educational Technology (EDIT)
• Gifted Education (EPSY)
• Language and Literacy Education (LLED)
• Reading Education (LLED)
• Social Studies Education (ESOC)

Licensure

This program is designed for professional development or advancement in a professionally licensed job and is designed for certified practitioners in this field, but is not intended to lead to initial certification. 

An enrollment coach will contact you to determine your circumstances and ensure that this program will be effective for you.

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal.

Faculty

News & Events

Contact Information

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