Secondary Social Studies-History

Program Facts

Delivery Method:

Blended

Start Term:

All

Completion Time:

12 Months

Credits:

Request info on program

About Our Secondary Education: Social Studies and History Program

Slippery Rock University’s M.Ed. in Secondary Education: Social Studies (History) offers two pathways tailored to your background and goals. The Basic Concentration is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree and appropriate coursework in social studies who are seeking initial teacher certification. This 36-credit program can be completed in one calendar year of full-time study, with flexible start terms. Applicants often include career changers, and SRU provides multiple ways to demonstrate subject-area qualification, including transcript review or passing the Pennsylvania Content Knowledge Certification Exam. The Advanced Concentration is for certified teachers looking to grow professionally. In addition to completing core coursework, you’ll customize your experience by selecting 12 credit hours from areas such as history, education foundations, instructional technology, or counseling helping you expand your expertise and advance your career in the classroom or beyond.

Why Get a Secondary Education: Social Studies and History Degree?

Choose the right path for your goals with two concentrations — basic for those seeking certification, and advanced for certified teachers.
Learn on your schedule with flexible course delivery: on-site and online for the basic track, fully online for the advanced track.
Earn your degree in just one year through a 36-credit program designed for efficiency and impact.
Grow your leadership skills and take the next step in your teaching career.
Specialize in social studies education with a focused concentration in history.

Accredited. Respected. Proven.

Slippery Rock University's Masters of Education in Secondary History is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This accreditation is the gold standard for teacher preparation programs, which means our curriculum has been rigorously reviewed by professionals and meets the highest national standards for excellence. Graduating from a CAEP-accredited institution gives you a competitive edge, showing school districts that you're a highly qualified educator who is well-prepared to lead a modern, effective classroom.

Career Outcomes

A Master of Education in Secondary Social Studies is your pathway to becoming a certified and highly effective middle or high school history and social studies teacher. This program is designed for both career changers seeking initial certification and current teachers looking to deepen their expertise and advance their careers. Graduates are prepared not only to lead an engaging and thoughtful social studies classroom but also to take on leadership roles, with advanced skills in curriculum development, historical analysis, and instructional strategy. This degree prepares you for a variety of roles in education and related fields, including:

Middle School or High School History/Social Studies Teacher
Social Studies Department Chairperson
Curriculum Developer for Social Studies
Instructional Coach or Coordinator
Advanced Placement (AP) History Teacher
Community College History Instructor
Museum Educator or Program Coordinator
Preparation for doctoral (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) studies

Requirements

What are the admission requirements for this program at SRU? Check out the requirements in the dropdowns of this section!

Program Director / Coordinator

Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Jason Hilton
Secondary Education
724.738.2307
jason.hilton@sru.edu

When are applications accepted?

Email graduate.admissions@sru.edu or call 724.738.2051 for information regarding this program’s graduate application deadlines.

What are all of the admissions requirements?

Applicants must submit the following materials along with a completed online graduate application and nonrefundable application fee:

Basic Concentration:

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with appropriate course work in history and in other social science content areas with an overall GPA of 2.80 or higher from an accredited institution of higher education to enter and a 3.0 GPA to exit the graduate program
Official undergraduate degree transcript(s) and any graduate transcripts
Resume

Advanced Concentration:

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher from an accredited institution of higher education
Official undergraduate degree transcript(s) and any graduate transcripts
Copy of teacher certification
Resume

Please note: For more information, visit www.sru.edu/graduate. Transfer course evaluation information can be found on our graduate website.

Secondary History (M.Ed.)