Our master's program in social studies education allows you to critically examine historical and contemporary issues in the field as a foundation for learning to build student-centered and inquiry-focused curriculum. You also choose whether to develop your expertise in the area of technology, literacy, content knowledge, writing or special education/gifted learners to enhance your teaching. This program is for you if you are currently teaching or intend to teach in secondary schools and want to prepare for New York State initial and/or professional certification.
Social studies education is no longer accepting initial-only or initial/professional applications for the 2025 academic year.
The features of our program include:
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.
If you are looking to complete a GSE program that leads to professional-only certification (see professional tracks)—or looking to complete a master’s degree in English education studies, math education studies or music education studies—apply to our Education Studies EdM program.
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:
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Enrolled students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact their State’s licensure entity using the links provided in the full disclosure document to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by their state(s) of choice.
We have a collection of frequently asked questions that may help you. If your questions are still unanswered, we are glad to help! Contact our admission office.