Secondary Education (BA/BS/M.Ed), Social Studies Area of Concentration

Are you a prospective freshman, looking for the right school to fulfill your dream of becoming a Social Studies teacher? Or are you a current UMD student, searching for a major that will help you make a difference in children's lives? Or perhaps you are thinking about transferring to College Park, to join the EdTerps community? The University of Maryland Secondary Education program is the place for you! Take some time to get to know the program. Check out the FAQs below and learn more about the faculty who guide the program and some of the people, like you, who make it great.

What subjects would I be able to teach as a Social Studies teacher?  Graduates of the Secondary Social Studies Education program are ready to apply to the Maryland State Department of Education for a teaching license. With this license, they are certified to teach Social Studies in grades 7-12, and they are certified to teach both required and elective courses. 

What are the starting salaries for Social Studies teachers? The starting salaries vary depending on the county where you choose to accept a teaching position. You can find more information for a school district's pay scale on its respective website. These pay scales may change soon. In 2019, the state approved the Kirwan Commission recommendations, which included consistent and increased pay for teachers across the state. This is an exciting time to enter the teaching profession in Maryland.

How difficult is it to get a job teaching Social Studies? Does this program help with landing that first job? There is a steady demand for Social Studies teachers in Maryland school systems and a desire each year to hire graduates of this program. You’ll have a community of EdTerps to help you land your first job and support you throughout your career. This large network of alumni are practicing teachers, mentor teachers, principals and district personnel in every corner of the state.

I have been out of school and working for some time.  I am thinking about becoming a Social Studies teacher. What do I need to do to get started? Our program is filled with students who have pursued various paths in life, including many that have changed careers! Start by requesting a transcript review from the Office of Student Services (ed-advising@umd.edu) to understand if you have met all of the coursework requirements to apply for our program. We also encourage applicants to gain field experience in the content area and to work with teens through volunteer, observation or employment opportunities.

When I graduate from this program, am I automatically certified to teach Social Studies in Maryland? You will be eligible for initial certification to teach Social Studies in grades 7-12. You will need to work with the school system that hires you to pursue your professional certificate or apply directly to the Maryland State Department of Education. For additional information on state certification, including information on the certification requirements of other states, please check here.

Is there a particular philosophy that guides this program? The goal of all teacher education programs in the College of Education is to prepare knowledgeable and reflective teachers who develop the skills and dispositions necessary to have a positive impact on students and schools in a diverse society. We believe that all teachers need to have extensive content knowledge, insight into their students’ assets and needs, and the capacity to create the best learning opportunities for their students.

What makes this Social Studies Education program different from others in Maryland? What sets it apart from others? Our small class sizes, connected professors and education professionals, and our large network of EdTerps alumni who work at all levels in education throughout the state support our students as they learn to become teachers and welcome them as they enter the teaching profession.   The University of Maryland is also in the backyard of our nation’s capital, making it a special place to earn a degree in Social Studies Education.

If I become a Social Studies teacher in Maryland, will I be able to get a job in other states? Some of our graduates begin their teaching careers in other states. Every state has its own licensure requirements, but those requirements are most often able to be met after you have received your UMD diploma and the State of Maryland recommendation for licensure that comes with successful completion of the program. More importantly, a Maryland teaching certificate is accepted by most other states.

I already have a bunch of credits for another major. Who do I talk to about switching to a major in Social Studies Education? Please reach out to the College of Education Office of Student Services (ed-advising@umd.edu) for an advising appointment and transcript review.

Are there any dual certification possibilities with Social Studies Education at UMD? Absolutely! After completing the requirements for initial certification in Social Studies (grades 7-12), you may complete Praxis tests for other certification areas (i.e. Math, English, TESOL).

I have too many credits in my major to switch majors at this point. Is there another way to get certified as a Social Studies teacher? Yes, you might be a potential candidate for our Master’s Certification program which accepts additional content area related undergraduate degrees.  We suggest you reach out to the College of Education Office of Student Services (ed-advising@umd.edu) for a transcript review.

Are there any double-major options for Social Studies Education? Yes, candidates for double majors complete a double major in History, Government or Geography in conjunction with the Secondary Social Studies major. Check with the College of Education Office of Student Services (ed-advising@umd.edu) for more information about these options. 

I am a transfer student looking to transfer to UMD and get my degree in Social Studies Education. Who do I contact to figure out how long it would take me to finish? Our academic advisors can help you to plan your path toward a degree and eligibility for initial teaching certification. They will explain the process of completing your coursework as well as internship and testing requirements. Speak to an advisor! Contact an advisor today at ed-advising@umd.edu.

I have been out of school and working for some time. Does this program take into account my work experience in any way? One of our admissions criteria is relevant experience.  We will gladly take into account your prior work experience, assuming it relates to working with secondary-age students through observation, volunteering or employment opportunities.

Will I learn from full-time faculty who have practical experience teaching in schools? Our courses are taught by full-time faculty and experienced educators, who bring decades of practical classroom experience to their work preparing the next generation of elementary school teachers. Our many field experiences mean also that you will not only work with faculty on campus, but also in your secondary school placement. Learn more about our faculty by visiting the Faculty Spotlight tab above.

There is so much diversity in schools today. Will I learn how to teach kids who speak languages other than English and come from different places? Our program prepares teachers to work in real classrooms, where many students speak languages other than English, and where students from different backgrounds and abilities come together to learn. Our coursework and placements reflect this. You will have many opportunities to work in real-world classroom settings and will learn to adapt instruction for all students.

Can I work part-time and complete the program? Candidates may work while as they you complete your their program coursework. However,  once you begin your year-long internship, we strongly discourage outside work. We want you to know that scholarships are available to those who are admitted to the program. We encourage every student to take advantage of these. Contact the College of Education for more on these scholarship opportunities.

Will I have the opportunity to work directly with students in this program? Will I be able to spend time in a real classroom? Our program design prioritizes practical experience with students in multiple and diverse teaching situations. Throughout your undergraduate program, you will engage directly in work with students starting in your junior year.  Then, during your final year in the Secondary Education program, you will complete a year-long internship working in one or two of our partner schools.

What are the program pathway options? Candidates can apply to the double major undergraduate, five-year integrated Master's or the one-year Master's Certification program. Explore the Master's Certification option here. 

What does the internship experience look like?  Social Studies candidates engage in a year-long internship, regardless of the certification pathway pursued.  Undergraduates are at a placement site a minimum of one day a week in the fall and five days a week in the Spring.  IMCP/MCERT candidates are at a placement site three days a week in the fall and five days a week in the spring. The experience begins during teacher preparation week in August and continues until mid-May. Our candidates have the opportunity to experience two placements (a brief introductory experience and a more extended placement), ideally at both a middle school and high school within two different partner school systems. 

How much choice do I have in selecting an internship? Where are these internships? What will I learn?  You will have an opportunity to complete your field experiences in schools in our four partner counties: Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s County Public Schools. See the Our Partners tab, above, for more on our partner schools. In creating your internship placement, our program coordinators will work with you to provide you with accessible placements that will help you to gain the experience you’ll need to begin a successful teaching career.

So, what are you waiting for? Join the EdTerps community!