Teach Social Studies with Purpose and Impact
Prepare to teach history, civics, geography, economics, and the social sciences through the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Social Studies Education at BU Wheelock. Designed for aspiring educators, the program combines research-based coursework with hands-on classroom experiences to help you build the knowledge and instructional skills to engage diverse learners.
The MAT in Social Studies Education fulfills the academic requirements for an initial Massachusetts teaching license, with reciprocity in most other states. Through early field experiences and a full-time practicum, you’ll gain the confidence to design inquiry-based lessons, assess student learning, and lead an inclusive social studies classroom.
Program Features
The MAT in Social Studies Education program provides rigorous preparation for educators that includes authentic experiences working in schools and socials studies classrooms. This program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.
Social Studies Teacher Certification and Licensure
Our master’s (MAT) degree in social studies education provides extended and in-depth focus on the teaching and learning of social studies content. You’ll leave the program prepared to receive your initial social studies teacher certification license to teach social studies in middle or high schools.
Gain Meaningful Field Experience
Students in the MAT Social Studies Education program complete a two-semester practicum experience culminating in student teaching. This ensures strength in the field of study and comprehensive teaching skills.
TESOL Add-On Licensure
The TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Program offers a five-course, 18-unit add-on license pathway that allows master of arts in teaching social studies students to meet requirements for an initial license in English as a Second Language (ESL) (5–12) in Massachusetts. Licensure-seeking students complete an ESL practicum.
Career Outcomes with a Master of Arts in Teaching Social Studies
Graduates of Boston University’s Master of Arts in Teaching in Social Studies Education are prepared to teach history, civics, geography, economics, and the social sciences in middle and high school classrooms. Upon completing the program, graduates are equipped to:
- Deliver engaging, standards-based social studies instruction that supports student success
- Use assessment and student data to improve teaching and strengthen learning outcomes
- Create inclusive, culturally responsive classrooms that foster high expectations for all learners
- Build strong partnerships with families and communities while demonstrating expertise in social studies content
Alumni in the Master of Arts in Teaching Social Studies
Alumni of this master’s degree in social studies education find jobs as:
- Civics teachers
- Psychology teachers
- AP Government and US History teachers
- Ancient civilizations teachers
- Curriculum specialist
- Humanities coordinator
Featured Faculty
The faculty for the MAT in Social Studies Education have decades of experience as social studies teachers, department chairs, and school leaders. You’ll benefit from their deep expertise in teaching, curriculum, and educational leadership, along with practical insights drawn from real-world classrooms and communities.
Courses in the MAT in Social Studies Education
Develop the skills to become a confident social studies teacher through coursework in instructional methods, classroom management, adolescent development, and inclusive teaching. Students in the 42-credit MAT in Social Studies Education gain hands-on experience through supervised fieldwork and a full-time student teaching practicum in a middle or high school classroom. Courses include:
- Project Citizen: Promoting Civic Engagement
- Teaching Critical Historical Inquiry
- Curriculum & Special Methods for History & Social Sciences
- A Practical Approach to Classroom Management
- Two social studies content-based electives at the BU Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
Related Programs
Strengthen your teaching practice with a Master of Education (EdM) in Mathematics Education. This program is for current and aspiring educators who already have an initial teacher license or do not require one.
Elevate your professional impact with a certificate of advanced graduate study (CAGS) in Curriculum & Teaching. This post-master’s credential delivers training in planning, teaching methods, and outcome evaluation, and is open to educators working in social studies education.
Scholarships Available
Don’t let funding keep you from starting your master’s degree in social studies education. Merit and need-based scholarships are available to graduate students, as well as federal and state grants, making your degree more affordable.
Admissions & Dates
Fall & Spring 2027
Aug 3, 2026
Application Opens
Spring 2027 Start
Dec 15, 2026
Application Closes
Fall 2027 Start
Jan 15, 2027
Priority Deadline
Fall 2027 Start
Aug 1, 2027
Application Closes
Connect with BU Wheelock to learn more about the master of arts in teaching social studies. Learn about application requirements and deadlines, sign up for an information session, or start your application today.
Licensing Disclosure
BU Wheelock Educator Preparation Programs Licensing Disclosure provides information about BU Wheelock state approved programs and how the educational requirements compare with those in other states. Education students in licensure programs should review this resource and contact edlic@bu.edu with questions.
Background Checks
Students who are admitted into BU Wheelock routinely participate in field experiences as a part of their respective program curriculum and requirements. Most field sites require criminal background checks to determine students’ eligibility for participation. History of a criminal background may disqualify students from participating in these required experiences, which in turn may impede the successful completion of one’s degree program