Best Master’s in Social Studies Teacher Education Programs
Social studies involves a mix of topics, including history, political science, and humanities. People who teach social studies teach learners how societies in the world function and how people relate with one another across cultures. These educators also help students make sense of current events.
Entry-level teaching roles only require a bachelor’s degree that includes student teaching experience. However, some states require a master’s in social studies to teach the subject, and the advanced degree may prepare learners to earn high-paying teaching roles.
For example, high school teachers in some states only need a bachelor’s degree to practice. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), they earned a median annual income of $61,820 in May 2021. However, postsecondary teachers need at least a master’s degree to practice. In May 2021, they earned a yearly median income of $79,640.
It normally takes full-time students two years to finish a master’s in social studies teacher education program. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, graduate students spent an average of $19,792 on tuition and fees for the 2019-20 school year.
However, factors like school type and credit requirements impact the true cost. Students can pay for their graduate studies by using payment plans, loans, grants, and scholarships.
Keep reading to learn more about the top in-person and online master’s in social studies teacher education programs.
Our Top Pick
Brown University – Providence, Rhode Island
Why It’s #1: Brown University ranks number one for a few reasons. For starters, this school boasts a high graduation rate of 96%. Gaining acceptance is very competitive since the school only has an admission rate of 7%. However, this leads to small class sizes. Brown has a 6-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Additionally, over half of Brown students receive financial aid.
Best Accredited Master’s in Social Studies Teacher Education Programs
Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team
Brown University
- Providence, RI
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$57,112
- Out-of-state$57,112
- In-State$57,112
- Out-of-state$57,112
- Retention Rate98%
- Acceptance Rate7%
- Students Enrolled10,333
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,477
- Out-of-state$25,694
- In-State$10,770
- Out-of-state$27,335
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate37%
- Students Enrolled52,407
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
New York University
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$50,684
- Out-of-state$50,684
- In-State$33,408
- Out-of-state$33,408
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate16%
- Students Enrolled52,885
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
Boston University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,720
- Out-of-state$54,720
- In-State$54,720
- Out-of-state$54,720
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate19%
- Students Enrolled33,720
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Champaign, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$14,188
- Out-of-state$33,127
- In-State$14,997
- Out-of-state$28,404
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled51,605
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
Syracuse University
- Syracuse, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$50,616
- Out-of-state$50,616
- In-State$38,880
- Out-of-state$38,880
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate44%
- Students Enrolled22,850
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
CUNY Hunter College
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$6,930
- Out-of-state$14,880
- In-State$11,090
- Out-of-state$20,520
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate35%
- Students Enrolled23,193
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment7%
- AccreditationYes
Stony Brook University
- Stony Brook, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$24,740
- In-State$11,310
- Out-of-state$23,100
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate44%
- Students Enrolled26,814
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment22%
- AccreditationYes
Rutgers University
- New Brunswick, NJ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,230
- Out-of-state$29,012
- In-State$17,736
- Out-of-state$30,144
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate61%
- Students Enrolled50,173
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment24%
- AccreditationYes
CUNY City College
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$6,930
- Out-of-state$14,880
- In-State$11,090
- Out-of-state$20,520
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate46%
- Students Enrolled15,816
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment1%
- AccreditationYes
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How We Rank Schools
Each year, the BestColleges Ranking Team evaluates hundreds of programs to produce our annual Best Master’s in Social Studies Teacher Education ranking. In 2022, the team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified 86 schools that qualify for our ranking list based on the following criteria.
- Each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution.
- Must offer a master’s degree program in the given subject.
- Must submit an annual report to the National Center for Education Statistics.
To ensure the accuracy and quality of our final ranked list, the ranking team reviewed each qualifying school to ensure it met the criteria for our ranking, and then applied our proprietary ranking methodology to identify the best schools offering this program in the nation. Each school is ranked based on a formula measuring academic factors (60%) and affordability (40%).
The BestColleges Ranking Team is made up of contributors from our data science and product management teams. These contributors operate independently from the editorial team. All BestColleges school rankings are produced by the ranking team and are free of editorial influence. Read our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more.
BestColleges’ Ranking Factors
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Studies Teacher Education Programs
Is a master’s in social studies teacher education worth it?
Yes. People with a personal interest in social studies and a passion for explaining things may find this degree worth the effort. Additionally, some school districts limit how much a teacher can earn with just a bachelor’s degree. So, a master’s degree may pay for itself in raises.
Teachers also benefit from summers off, and their work schedules often align with family time. Additionally, the BLS projects the need for educators to increase by 10% between 2020-2030.
Thanks to online learning opportunities and summer programs, current teachers can keep their full-time jobs while completing their degrees.
What can I do with a master’s in social studies teacher education?
A master’s in social studies teacher education program primarily prepares graduates for advanced teaching roles. Graduates commonly teach history, political science, geography, or social studies.
They may work for middle schools or high schools. Some colleges allow people to teach with just a master’s degree. However, certain universities prefer to hire people with a doctorate. So, some graduates continue their education further.
Some people with this degree choose a different professional route. They may work as researchers, writers, archivists, or museum curators.
What continuing education is available for social studies teacher education graduates?
Educators who want to earn raises or work in higher education may pursue a doctorate in social studies. However, people who do not want to commit to another degree can pursue continuing education in other ways. For example, they can earn a certificate in a niche historical period from a college or university.
Professional organizations often offer continuing education opportunities, too. For example, the National Council for the Social Studies hosts informative webinars and conferences. Some school districts host professional development sessions as well.
How much money can I make with a master’s in social studies teacher education?
Earning potential varies based on the school type, years of experience, and location. For example, high school teachers at local schools earned a median wage of $62,420 in May 2021, as per the BLS. At the same time, teachers at private schools earned a median wage of $56,510.
Some states pay teachers more than others. For example, Texan teachers earned a mean annual wage of $60,470 in May 2021, according to the BLS. Californian teachers earned a mean wage of $94,600 per year in May 2021.
In general, teachers with more years of experience earn more than entry-level ones. Many districts offer annual pay increases.
What are the highest-paying jobs with a master’s in social studies teacher education?
While some colleges require full-time faculty to hold a doctorate, some institutions hire professors with only a master’s degree. Postsecondary teachers earn some of the highest wages. According to Payscale July 2022 data, professors earned an average of about $87,870 per year.
Graduates with a master’s in social studies teacher education don’t always work in teaching roles. For example, historians are also among some of the highest earners. In May 2021, they earned a median income of $63,940, according to BLS data.
Feature Image: JohnnyGreig / E+ / Getty Images
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