Master of Arts in Social Studies (32 points)

This program is designed for experienced teachers and those engaged in private school teaching. It requires a minimum of 32 points and a master’s thesis. This degree program focuses on social studies teaching in middle and high schools and fulfills the require-ments for New York State Professional Certification. Points should be distributed as follows:

 

Social Studies Core Courses (11 points):

 

• A&HW 5031            Teacher education in social studies

 

• A&HW 5232            Fieldwork: Social studies teacher education

 

• A&HW 6530            Curriculum development, research, and supervision

 

Students should choose ONE of the following courses:

 

• A&HW 5030            Diversity and the social studies curriculum

 

• A&HW 5035            History of the social studies since 1880

 

• A&HW 5037            Advanced methods of teaching social studies

 

• A&HW 5530            History of American social thought

 

Social Studies Content Courses (12-15 points):

 

In consultation with an advisor, students should select courses to round out their knowledge of the subject matters taught in secondary schools. Courses taken at Teachers College include attention to both content and pedagogy. Courses can also be taken at Columbia University.

 

Professional Development Courses (6-9 points):

 

Three Teachers College courses (2-3 points each) outside the Social Studies Program, chosen with advisor approval.

 

Further Requirements:

 

Students must also complete a master’s thesis, selected with advisor approval.

 

Master of Arts in Social Studies with Initial Teacher Certification (38 points)

 

This program requires a minimum of 38 points and an integrative project. It is designed for those with little or no experience teaching secondary social studies. Successful completion of this program of study leads to the M.A. degree and recommendation for New York State Initial Certification (grades 7-12). Student teaching is undertaken in cooperating middle and high schools, both city and suburban. A committee of social studies faculty and cooperating professionals from the schools to which students are assigned supervise and evaluate the student teacher’s work.

 

In order to complete all degree requirements successfully, this program typically demands two terms of the academic year and two summer sessions, which can be taken in the same summer.

The 38 points should be distributed as follows:

Social Studies Core Courses (9 points):

 

Required courses:

 

• A&HW 4036            The teaching of social studies

 

• A&HW 5037            Advanced methods of social studies curriculum

 

Students should also take one of the following:

 

• A&HW 5030            Diversity and the social studies curriculum

 

• A&HW 5035            History of the social studies since 1880

 

• A&HW 5530            History of American social thought

 

Social Studies Content Courses (10-12 points):

 

In consultation with an advisor, students should select courses to round out their knowledge of the subject matters taught in secondary schools. Content courses taken at Teachers College include attention to both content and pedagogy. Courses can also be taken at Columbia University. 

 

Professional Development Courses (6-9 points):

 

To satisfy the college’s breadth requirement students must take three Teachers College courses (for this purpose a course is defined as one in which 2 or 3 points are earned) outside the major program. Selected with advisor approval.

 

Student Teaching (10 points):

 

• A&HW 4530            Seminar for student teachers in social studies*

 

• A&HW 4729            Observation in the social studies

 

• A&HW 4730            Supervised student teaching in social studies**

 

*Students enroll for 2 points in both the fall and spring.

 

** Students enroll for 3 points in both the fall and spring.

 

Further Requirements:

 

Students must complete an integrative master’s project. They must also satisfy the New York State certification requirement for study of a language other than English. (For additional requirements, please refer to the Teacher Education area of the Academic Resources section of this bulletin.)