College of Education

Social Studies Education (M.A.T.)

Program Theme: Teachers as Critical Inquirers in Multicultural, Urban Settings

The M.A.T. major in Social Studies Education provides initial teacher preparation in grades 6-12 for individuals holding bachelor’s degrees in a social studies content area such as history, political science, geography, economics, psychology, sociology, philosophy, cultural studies, or a variety of other social sciences.

Program Admission
All applicants must meet the College of Education’s requirements for admission to graduate study. Additional admission requirements specific to this program include:

1. An undergraduate or graduate degree in history or in one or more of the social sciences from a regionally accredited college or university. A minimum of a major (24 upper-division semester hours) in history or a social science must be part of prior coursework.
2. Three letters of recommendation as follows: (a) one academic or professional letter, (b) one letter from someone who can evaluate the applicant’s personal qualifications, experience, and background in light of potential to work successfully with adolescents, and (c) one letter from a current work supervisor (if applicable)
3. Documentation of previous work experience
4. Interviews conducted by faculty and school-based personnel
5. The department may specify additional requirements

Program Academic Regulations
The M.A.T. program is a carefully sequenced program. Students who do not follow the prescribed program sequence will be withdrawn from the program and may reapply to enter the next program cycle.

Exit requirements for this program are:

• Completion of all program coursework with a grade point average of no less than 3.00,
• Successful completion of the teaching internships with a grade of “B” or higher, and
• Successful presentation of a professional portfolio.

Students in this program will be eligible to be recommended for Georgia initial certification after earning passing scores on the GACE Assessments in Economics, Geography, History, and/or Political Science for licensure in the Social Studies content area(s) on the GACE and successfully completing:

1. All content courses recommended for the students by MSIT and Arts and Sciences faculty upon the students’ admission to the program;
2. Students must complete EXC 4020 Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (3) or its equivalent;
3. EPY 7080 The Psychology of Learning and Learners (3) and
4. EDCI 6600 Introduction to Secondary Teaching (3), EDCI 7660 Practicum I (3), EDCI 7670 Practicum II (3), EDCI 7680 Practicum III (3), EDSS 6560 Principles of Social Studies Instruction (3), EDSS 7540 Theory and Pedagogy of Social Studies Instruction (3).
5. Successful presentation of a professional portfolio.

Program of Study
A. Professional Studies (9)
Select one (3):
EPRS 7900 Methods of Research in Education (3)
EPRS 7910 Action Research (3)

Select one (3):
EPSF 7100 Critical Pedagogy (3)
EPSF 7110 Multicultural Education (3)
EPSF 7120 Social and Cultural Foundations of Education (3)

Required (3):
EPY 7080 The Psychology of Learning and Learners (3)

B. Teaching Field/Major (27)
Required (9):

EDCI 6600 Introduction to Secondary Teaching (3)
EDSS 6560 Principles of Social Studies Instruction (3)
EDSS 7540 Theory and Pedagogy of Social Studies Instruction (3)

Elective in Teaching Field/Major (3)

Select Two (6):

EDSS 7560 Teaching History and the Social Sciences (3)
EDSS 7570 Social Studies Concepts and Issues (3)

EDCI 7980 Teaching and Learning in Urban Contexts (3)

IT 7360 Integrating Technology in School-Based Learning Environments (3)
TSLE 7260 Cultural Issues for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)
Other education electives may be selected with consent of the advisor.

Select Advanced Studies in Social Studies (12):
Students select at least 12 semester hours of 6000-level and above coursework related to history and the social sciences in consultation with their advisement committee. Because students will be certified in single fields of social studies, additional undergraduate or graduate coursework may be required for the students to demonstrate competence in these four areas: economics, geography, history, and political science. The advisement committee will approve the students’ planned program of study after a transcript analysis of previous work and consultation with the students.

C. Internship (9)
Required (9):
EDCI 7660 Practicum I (3)
EDCI 7670 Practicum II (3)
EDCI 7680 Practicum III (3)

Program total: minimum of 45 semester hours

TEEMS Social Studies Education- FAQs