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

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.

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 Domestic/$100 International
2. Select campus – Online
3. Select Intended Program – MED, Social Studies Education [MED_ESOC_ONL]
4. Résumé or curriculum vita – Upload to the Graduate School application.
5. Statement of Purpose – Submit a one-page 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.

Not all programs are available to residents in all states. Please check the institution's State Authorization and Professional Licensure website(s) to ensure you reside in an authorized state.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges