Contacts

Sharon Dotger, Faculty Director of Teacher Education and Undergraduate Studies, 315-443-9138, sdotger@syr.edu
Jeffery A. Mangram, 154 Huntington Hall, 315-443-9077, jamangra@syr.edu

Description

The M.S. degree in Social Studies Education: Preparation 7-12 offers:

• The opportunity for those holding a bachelor’s degree with the appropriate social science content courses (see below), but no prior coursework in teaching, to prepare for New York State initial adolescence certification as social studies teachers (grades 7-12) while earning a master’s degree. (There are also testing, application and other requirements).
• A program that exposes students to cutting-edge ideas in education courses taught by faculty specialists.
• Preparation with special emphasis on actively engaging middle and high school students, working with struggling students, and serving diverse student populations.
• 4 field placements allowing each candidate to learn from a variety of urban and suburban school settings, teachers, and youth with diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Opportunity for sharing professional development with a cohort of students in social studies education, and in other secondary programs, through several shared core courses.
• A program that seeks to prepare students to become social studies educators who are committed to developing civic-minded individuals, and who are proficient in five areas important to 21st century classrooms:
  • Critical reflection and explanations of practice.
  • Content knowledge.
  • Inclusive and culturally relevant pedagogy.
  • Assessment of student learning and development of social studies literacy.
  • Professional conduct and collaboration. 

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Acquire knowledge of each student, and demonstrate knowledge of student development and learning to promote achievement for all students.
2. Know the content they are responsible for teaching, and plan instruction that ensures growth and achievement for all students.
3. Implement instruction that engages and challenges all students to meet or exceed the learning standards.
4. Work with all students to create a dynamic learning environment that supports achievement and growth.
5. Use multiple measures to assess and document student growth, evaluate instructional effectiveness, and modify instruction.
6. Demonstrate professional responsibility and engage relevant stakeholders to maximize student growth, development, and learning
7. Set informed goals and strive for continuous professional growth

Master’s Degree Course Requirements

The program requires 35 credits, is designed with full-time students in mind, and may be completed in 12 months, beginning in May. However, students who enter with education study equivalent to one of the courses below may have their syllabi reviewed for waiver of course(s).  In no case will fewer than 30 graduate credits be required.

(courses with * include field experience)

Intensive Examination

A master’s degree intensive examination is also required.

Liberal Arts Content Requirements

The requirements of this program include several undergraduate history and other social science courses. It is not unusual that an applicant will have one or more of these courses left to take. These do not need to be completed before applying and may be taken at an institution other than Syracuse University. However, some of the courses need to be done before starting the graduate program, and all must be finished before a degree can be granted. We need to approve courses to be taken, and can help students identify appropriate courses.

Applicants will have transcripts reviewed against these requirements. Early review allows more time to enroll in needed courses in winter and spring terms, before the program begins in May. 

Social Science Content

• A major in history or another social science area; OR by the end of the MS program, a minimum of 39 semester hour credits of social sciences, with at least 27 completed before beginning the master’s program (including 9 upper division credits).
• The 39 credit hours must include:
  • 18 credits total of U.S., European, and Non-Western history,
  • One human/cultural geography course,
  • One course in economics, and
  • One course (relevant to the U.S.) in government.