Social Studies Education
Cover a variety of time periods and regions in your classes, facilitating respectful debates while encouraging analytical thinking. Educate your students to consider context and make use of history as they compare it to modern news and events.
Understand the Past to Create Lasting Social Change
Critically examine historical and contemporary issues, providing a foundation for creating student-centered, inquiry-focused curricula. You can specialize in technology, literacy, content knowledge, writing or special education/gifted learners to further enhance your teaching expertise.
Points of Distinction
GSE’s social studies education program is perfect for those currently teaching or who intend to teach in secondary schools and want to prepare for New York State initial and/or professional certification.
Enter the field prepared by mentors who support you in navigating the program and the job market. With preparation tailored to meet the demands of today’s schools, you'll be equipped with the skills to thrive as an educator.
Experience affordability with GSE offering tuition costs that are 50% less than those at comparable universities. This cost-effective approach ensures you receive a high-quality education without the financial burden.
What is initial certification? If you are seeking a certificate of advanced study from UB and an institutional recommendation for an initial teacher certificate issued by the New York State Education Department, you should consider the initial-only track. An initial teacher certificate allows you to begin teaching in public schools within New York State. The initial-only track is typically a one-year course of study.
Program Overview
| Academic credential granted | Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) |
|---|---|
| Certification option | Successful completion of program leads to an institutional recommendation for NYS Initial Certification in Social Studies Education |
| Grade levels | 7 to 12 |
| Credits required for completion | 33 |
| Time to completion | 3 full-time semesters (summer start) |
| Course delivery | On campus |
| Experiential contact hours |
|
| Application deadline | Closed |
Content Distribution Prerequisites
This worksheet is intended as an advising tool to assist you in your planning. Use this worksheet to help you select courses during your undergraduate studies that will fulfill the content distribution prerequisites that are required by the Graduate School of Education.
Program Requirements
As we work to integrate curricular program changes, please email the Office of Educator Preparation (ubedprep@buffalo.edu) or contact an advisor (716-645-2461) to confirm requirements.
Courses
- LAI 414*/514 Adolescent Writing across the Curriculum
- LAI 552 Middle-Childhood/Adolescent Literacy Methods
- CEP 400*/501 Psychological Foundations of Education
- ELP 405*/548/585 Foundations of Education or Sociological Bases of Education
- LAI 620 Teaching Social Studies Gr 5-12
- LAI 674 Seminar in Teaching
- LAI 698 Instructional Strategies in Secondary Schools
* Undergraduate coursework (LAI 414, CEP 400, ELP 405) is only applicable if previously completed as a UB undergraduate student with a grade of “B-” or better.
Clinical Experience
- LAI 667 Field Experience
- LAI 668 Supervised Teaching I
- LAI 595 Supervised Teaching II
Application Information
The social studies education initial-only program has reached capacity and is not accepting applications. The initial/professional and professional programs are only accepting applications for the fall 2025 term.
Prerequisite
To be eligible for this program, you must have:
1. Majored in or completed 30 credit hours in HISTORY or ONE OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES (anthropology, economics, geography, political science or sociology), which includes at least 21 credits in history or geography and one economics and one political science course.
2. Met the following history/civilization distribution: 12 credits in U.S., 6 credits in Western civilization, 12 credits in world civilization.
Standardized Testing No Longer Required
Beginning with the spring 2022 semester, the GRE/MAT is no longer required for application to this program. If you still plan to take the GRE/MAT exam, you can send your scores through the testing agency, and they will automatically be added to your application; however, they are not required for admission consideration to this program.
You must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
- Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
- Contact information for two references
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
- Personal statements: Please upload as two separate documents on your application.
- Statement one: In Multiplication is for White People: Raising Expectations for Other People’s Children (2013), Lisa Delpit wrote: “We can educate all children if we truly want to. To do so, we must first stop attempting to quantify their capacity. We must be convinced of their inherent capability, humanity, and spiritual character ... we must learn who our children are — their lived cultures; their interests; and their intellectual, political, and historical legacies.”
Discuss how the ideas from this excerpt resonate with you and your thoughts about high quality, equity- and justice-centered social studies education. (400 to 500 words) - Statement two: Social studies curriculum continues to be catalyst to and battle ground for “culture wars.” What is the purpose of social studies education in the United States today? How do your educational and professional goals and values align with that purpose? (500 words)
- Statement one: In Multiplication is for White People: Raising Expectations for Other People’s Children (2013), Lisa Delpit wrote: “We can educate all children if we truly want to. To do so, we must first stop attempting to quantify their capacity. We must be convinced of their inherent capability, humanity, and spiritual character ... we must learn who our children are — their lived cultures; their interests; and their intellectual, political, and historical legacies.”
- Applicants to the master's degree program (professional certification) must have applied for, or received, New York State initial teacher certification in the matching certification area. If application for teacher certification is in process, proof of such application must be submitted. If already certified, a copy of proof of teacher certification is required.
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admissions Decision: The admissions decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Dignity for All Students Act Requirement
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) requires that all students applying for certification as of December 31, 2013 have 6 hours of coursework or training on the social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination. As mandated by NYSED six clock hours of training in harassment, bullying, and discrimination prevention and intervention. This workshop is available through the University at Buffalo as well as other NYSED-approved providers. If you have already completed a workshop through a NYSED-approved provider, you must submit proof of completion when you apply.
Students with Disabilities Requirement
The New York State Education Department requires three semester hours of study in the area of students with disabilities for those who are entering the teacher education programs. If you have not yet fulfilled this requirement, you may take our students with disabilities course (LAI 574).
In-State Residency Tuition
In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you must provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months before your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload three documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
International Applicant Additional Requirements
- Official original proof of your degree
- A course-by-course transcript evaluation by a NACES member organization
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Official test scores—dated within two years of submitting your application—for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic.
- TOEFL minimum score is 250 for computer-based test, 600 for paper-based test and 96 for internet-based test
- IELTS minimum score is 7.0 overall
- PTE minimum score is 55 overall
- Financial documentation: International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
- An official bank statement
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application and dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
- Social studies teacher
- Training/education professional
- Tutor for youth-focused programs