Online Social Studies Education Degree

A social studies education degree will enable you to work in an interactive environment. Most people with a social studies education degree work in the educational arena.

The National Council for the Social Studies defines social studies as the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. It includes fields which involve past and current human behavior and interactions, for instance sociology, political science, history, economics, religion, geography, psychology, anthropology, and civics. At the elementary school level, social studies focuses on the local community and family. In middle and high school, the social studies curriculum is more discipline-based and content-specific. Therefore, if you want a career as a teacher and enjoy interacting with children, you should consider this option. Social studies comprises of a set of curriculum courses at primary schools, secondary schools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. You would have to study for a Bachelor's degree with social studies as your major subject. The university or college must be an accredited educational institution. You may also wish to take a course in child psychology, teaching methods, or curriculum design. Any, or all, of these will further your chances of obtaining a good teaching post.

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Selected Social Studies Education Degree Programs

Western Governors University

• MA in Teaching - Social Science (5-12) (Online)
• Post-Baccalaureate in Teacher Preparation - Social Science (5-12) (Online)

Grand Canyon University

• Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Social Studies (IR)

University of Phoenix

• BS in Education / Elementary Teacher Education
• MA in Education/Teacher Ed. for Elementary License

Capella University

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education - K–12 Studies in Education specialization

Social Studies Education Preparation and Training

Social studies can be defined as 'an integrated study of humanities and social sciences to promote civilian competence'. This interpretation comes from the NCSS (National Council for the Social Studies) in the United States of America. The aim of this association is to support social studies education. It is affiliated with other similar associations such as the Washington State Council for the Social Studies, the Middle States Council for the Social Studies, the Michigan Council for the Social Studies, and the New York City Association for the Teaching of Social Studies.

Teachers can join the NCSS and qualify for membership benefits. To keep up with the latest teaching trends in this field, members of the NCSS also get newsletters and the opportunity to attend an annual conference. They can also access books that focus on important disciplines on the subject. Other reading material is regularly sent free of charge to members.. Courses in social studies teaching may include:

• Technology integration in social studies
• Learning and teaching problem solving
• Instructional strategies for elementary and/or secondary school social studies

In addition students take social studies education courses in: history, geography, civics, sociology, psychology, etc.

General teacher education courses include:

• Curriculum Design
• Assessment
• Educational Psychology
• Classroom management

Careers with a Social Studies Education Degree

At the elementary level of teaching, social studies focus on the family and the community. At middle and high school level, the curriculum is more content specific and discipline based. During this stage, teaching includes human interaction and behavior and also introduces history, sociology, economics, political science, geography, religion, anthropology, psychology, and civics. Teaching focuses on understanding rather than the learning of skills. When a child can understand, he or she is able to mature into a fair, honest, and compassionate human being.

A good social studies teacher will encourage pupils to ask as many questions as possible to further the level of understanding. The primary objective is to form well balanced, well-rounded, and well-informed children who are equipped with the social know-how to become worthwhile members of their communities. The teacher does not require students to memorize facts and figures. Lessons revolve around the questions 'who', 'where', 'how' and 'why'. Therefore, the job description for a social studies teacher is to help students learn positive life values.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

Employment opportunities in the United States for graduates with a social studies education degree are expected to grow at the same rate as any other occupation. Job prospects are best for teachers with past experience and additional qualifications. It has been said that employment in elementary, middle and high schools should rise by 13% by the year 2018, which is in line with other occupations. In this field, annual salaries vary between US$ 32,000 and US$ 40,000. The figure will depend at what level the teacher is employed.

Online social studies education degrees and curriculum and instruction degree programs