History/Political Science Education

Degrees and Certificate Offered

• BS, MAT, EdM, CAGS in History & Social Science Education
• EdD in Curriculum & Teaching

History/political science education extends beyond the traditional goal of preparing classroom history and social science teachers. Though the development of effective classroom teachers remains a high priority, history and social science education serves a wide range of specialized professional career goals, including classroom teachers, museum educators, developers of learning materials as well as history and political science curriculum specialists.

The History/Political Science Education Program at Boston University’s School of Education seeks to engage its students in pedagogical knowledge and skills in history and all of the social sciences for the 21st century and beyond. Our students are taught to think, learn, and act within a global context, both as educators and citizens. History and political science education students learn to understand and transmit those habits of mind that produce critical thinkers and cogent writers. Students learn to recognize and appreciate the complexity of past societies and construct and evaluate plans for future reforms. We emphasize a systematic approach to improve students’ historical thinking that includes teaching concepts rather than isolated facts, using comparative narratives and primary sources. Boston University’s world-renowned history, political science, and international relations departments provide the strong content to support the pedagogy learned.

The MAT program in history and political science education is designed for the student who has earned a liberal arts degree in history, government, political philosophy, or political science. Students who have other liberal arts degrees emphasizing social issues and social policy or interdisciplinary study may also apply. For purposes of licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, there are two licenses: 1) History and 2) Political Science/Political Philosophy. The professional education courses prepare students for teacher licensure. This degree program is described in detail under “Master of Arts in Teaching” in this section. Students pursuing the EdM degree or CAGS prepare for leadership and curriculum development positions in history and social science education.

At the doctoral level, students plan individual courses of study with an advisor pursuant to careers in curriculum development and publishing, college or university teaching, or supervisory/administrative responsibility in schools. For further information, please see the description of the EdD Program in Curriculum & Teaching.

For further information, contact Admissions, Boston University, 121 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215.