What you will study
In UCM’s Social Studies program, you’ll collaborate with your peers and your professor.
You’ll experience learning that is differentiated in the classroom through processes,
products, environment and content. You’ll also experience learning in a variety of
ways, from individual feedback, supervision and personalized instruction to flipped
classrooms and teacher talk that is beneficial for social studies for teachers. Individualized
learning is very important for the student to flourish, so the program offers different
ways to meet professors for your convenience via office hours, online meetings, individual
appointments or email.
Methods for teaching you to be a social studies teacher
On your journey to completing your social science education, you’ll be under the direct
supervision of UCM faculty who will guide you to becoming a social studies teacher.
Small class sizes allow for individualized learning, which UCM faculty believes is
very important for you to thrive. You can be confident in having direct access to
the program coordinator, who is committed to maintaining a student-centered environment
and offers various ways to meet for your convenience.
Excellence in Secondary Education
- Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and recognized
by the National Council for the Social Studies.
- Most Focused Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 15%: Most Focused Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 4.5%: Most Popular Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Most Popular Colleges for Teacher Education (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in teaching social studies
As you explore topics related to social science education, you’ll collaborate with
your peers and faculty and engage in hands-on learning. These UCM-provided tools,
strategies and opportunities will support you along the way:
In-class experiences: Participate in microteaching in UCM’s classrooms as you take different courses in
social studies and education. UCM supervisors will evaluate your performance during
your 30- and 50-hour student-teaching experiences. Expect to receive feedback on your
use of pedagogical content and classroom management and assessment as learned in your
coursework.
Field experience: Begin your field experience in your sophomore year by observing a seasoned social
science teacher. In your junior year, you’ll begin a 30-hour observation and apply
what you’ve learned in social studies literacy in an assigned high school classroom.
A social studies methods course will align with a 50-hour field experience in which
you’re encouraged to teach five to six times using direct and indirect instruction
methods.
Instructional technology: Experience varying levels of instructional assignment based on individual ability
and get access to the different types of technology used in social studies classrooms.
You’ll gain experience using a Learning Management System (LMS) and will be prepared
to use technology for face-to-face, hybrid or online instruction.
Other learning opportunities: Learn and network at national and state social studies conferences. In your senior
year, you’ll be encouraged to present at the Missouri Council for the Social Studies
and National Council for the Social Studies to build your resume for future employment.
What can you do with a Social Studies Teaching degree from UCM?
As a graduate of the University of Central Missouri’s Secondary Education program,
you’ll be certified for high school teaching jobs in social studies. If you wish to
become a coach as well, UCM faculty can assist you in applying for a teaching and
coaching position. In fact, many graduates of our program are currently social studies
teachers and coaches.
Support as you navigate the teaching job market
Once you graduate and achieve social science education certification, our support
doesn’t end there. UCM’s Career Services Center is available to help you with your
job search to become a social studies teacher. Get a look at what opportunities lie
ahead using the interactive tool below to explore employment trends for teaching jobs
in social studies.
Financial assistance options for your Social Studies Teaching degree
Achieving your Bachelor of Science in Education - Social Studies degree requires planning.
As you research schools that offer social studies education, you may also be seeking
information on how to finance your college education. The University of Central Missouri offers resources for grants, loans and work study.
Scholarships related to social studies education
You may qualify for scholarships available through UCM or our College of Education.
Some are specific to a Social Studies Teaching degree, such as the Paul Rorvig Memorial
Scholarship.
Learn what scholarship opportunities await you by using the .
Meet Ethan
BSE Secondary Education - Social Studies ’15
“UCM’s Social Science Education program helped me navigate my journey to my first
job as a teacher and coach. It gave me first-hand experience in the classroom by helping
me build rapport with students and use different instruction to meet their needs.
Program faculty also understand that coaches play a vital part in school districts
and support all future coaches in the program.”
Meet Asia
BSE Secondary Education - Social Studies ’16
“I really liked UCM’s Social Studies Methods class. We got hands-on by preparing lessons
for peers using strategies we’d learned and received their feedback. This helped prepare
me to complete observation of a 7th grade classroom and then student-teach at a high
school. The program coordinator supervised me during student teaching. She taught
me so many things.”
Meet Dr. Star Nance
Award-winning faculty
Dr. Nance has been named UCM Outstanding Faculty of the Year and Missouri Outstanding
Faculty of the Year. She also received the Region 7 Certificate of Merit for Outstanding
Advisor (National) and UCM’s New Faculty Award. She’s led the program to recognition
by the National Council for the Social Studies through the CAEP, helping ensure you
get a top-notch education to lead your future classroom.
Meet Education Majors
Join UCM’s Student Missouri State Teacher Association
Meeting other students has many benefits — you’ll support each other throughout college
and help each other as you search for teaching jobs in social studies. Network with
College of Education students of all majors by joining the Student Missouri State
Teacher Association at UCM. Take advantage of learning opportunities and fun events
as you make connections that last a lifetime.
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Resources for Current and Prospective Students
Preparing students for a career in Social Studies Education takes a village. Dr.
Nance will guide students through the graduation and certification process with highly
individualized advisement from freshman year to graduation, and sometimes beyond.
The advisement will include required coursework, assessments, paperwork, and certification.
Additional Resources
