Social Studies Schools and Programs in The United States

Social Studies Studies in The United States

In the United States, "social studies" is the name of a school subject that brings together history, geography, civics and government, and economics. At university level it is studied mainly by future teachers. Purdue University describes social studies education as an interdisciplinary integration of several social sciences, including economics, geography, history, political science, psychology and sociology. The schools on this page include universities with social studies teacher education, colleges with broader social science programmes, and a few secondary schools that teach social studies as part of their curriculum.

How the programmes are organised

• Bachelor's degrees in social studies education, usually four years, leading to a licence to teach in middle and high school
• Dual majors that combine social studies education with a subject such as history
• Master's programmes (for example an MST or MSEd) for graduates of history, political science or other social sciences who want to become teachers
• PhD programmes in social studies education for research and teacher training

EducationUSA explains that US undergraduate education is based on the liberal arts and sciences, so students take a wide range of subjects besides their major, and the bachelor's degree is usually completed in four years of full-time study. Purdue's BA in Social Studies Education, for example, is a 120-credit programme over eight semesters, with extensive coursework in history, economics and civics/government, introductory courses in the other social studies areas, and field experience in every semester. It prepares graduates to teach grades 6 to 12, and Purdue also offers an MSEd and a PhD in the field.

SUNY Cortland in New York offers a dual major in Adolescence Education: Social Studies and History (grades 7-12) of 126 credit hours. It also runs an online Master of Science in Teaching in social studies for people who hold a bachelor's degree in history, political science, sociology, anthropology, geography or a related field and want initial certification to teach social studies in New York State.

Teacher licensing

To teach in a US public school, a degree is not enough. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all states require public school teachers to be licensed or certified for the grade level they teach. Requirements vary by state but generally include a bachelor's degree with a minimum grade point average, student teaching, a background check and tests in general teaching and in the subject. All states also offer an alternative route for people who already have a bachelor's degree but lack the education courses. Private schools typically do not require a licence.

Licences are issued by each state, so programmes prepare students for their own state first. Purdue states that its accredited programme leads to licensure in Indiana and that it has interstate licensing agreements with the other 49 states. SUNY Cortland's master's requires student teaching in a New York State school district.

Where to study

The 41 schools listed are spread across the country; examples include Penn State, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, The University of Chicago, Yale University, New York University, Boston University and the University of Maryland, alongside smaller colleges and community colleges. Teaching is in English.

Admission and student visa

Requirements vary greatly from one institution to another. EducationUSA notes that undergraduate applications are typically due between November and January for courses starting the following September, and usually include secondary school transcripts with English translations, test scores that may assess academic ability and English proficiency, recommendation letters and a personal essay. It advises starting 12 to 18 months ahead and reminds students that no official ranking of US universities exists.

Once accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), you receive a Form I-20 (or DS-2019) to apply for a visa; the F visa covers study at an accredited college or university. US institutions are accredited by independent bodies at national or regional level.

Careers

Most graduates teach social studies subjects such as history, government and economics in middle and high schools. According to the BLS, high school teachers held about 1.1 million jobs, with a median annual wage of $72,040 in May 2025. Employment is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035, but about 63,500 openings are expected each year. SUNY Cortland also lists careers as a curriculum specialist, in museums and heritage tourism, and in government and non-profit organisations.

Frequently asked questions

What is social studies in the US school system?

It is a school subject that combines history, geography, civics and government, economics and other social sciences. University programmes in social studies education train the teachers for it.

Can I become a social studies teacher with a degree in history or political science?

Yes. Some universities offer master's programmes for this, such as SUNY Cortland's MST in social studies, and the BLS notes that all states offer alternative routes to certification for people who already have a bachelor's degree.

Is a teaching licence from one state valid in another?

Licences are issued by each state. Some programmes, such as Purdue's, state that they have agreements with other states, but you should check the rules of the state where you plan to teach.