Degree Requirements
Master of Arts in Social Studies with Initial Teacher Certification
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 (8-9 points):
Required courses:
• A&HW 4036 The teaching of social studies
• A&HW 5037 Advanced methods of teaching social studies
Students should also take one of the following:
• A&HW 5030 Diversity and the social studies curriculum
• A&HW 5530 History of American social thought
• A&HH 4070 History of education in the United States
• A&HH 4076 History of urban education
• A&HF 4090 Philosophies of education
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.
Professional Development Courses (6-9 points): To satisfy the college’s breadth requirement students must take 3 Teachers College courses (for this purpose a course is defined as one in which 2 or 3 points are earned) outside the major program.
Student Teaching (10 points):
• A&HW 4530 Seminar for student teachers in social studies*
• A&HW 4729 Observation in 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.)
