to prepare for teaching at the same time
as they are working on an MA degree.
Social Studies education takes seriously the assumption that education and democracy are inextricably tied together. Students pursuing a Master’s Degree in Social Studies not only explore questions central to education, but also investigate issues residing in the center of democratic society itself.
What knowledge and skills are essential to promote and sustain a just and democratic society?
What curricular and instructional opportunities help students learn to use these knowledge and skills?
The Social Studies program encourages a critical examination of the issues surrounding curriculum development, teaching and learning in the social studies. Like the field itself, the Social Studies program uses history and the social scientific disciplines to study social education and its practices.
The Master’s Degree in Social Studies Education prepares professionals for leadership roles in designing, enacting, evaluating and studying social studies education. In the program you will explore the relevant history, influential theories, latest research and vital curricular issues connected to teaching and learning social studies. Core courses will familiarize you with research-based approaches to learning history and the social sciences; designing and enacting instruction across multiple settings and with a variety of media; the cultural, social, political and educational questions connected to civic and democratic education.
The program reflects the flexibility of all programs
within Educational Studies. There are opportunities for students
to take courses within all specialization areas in the School of
Education and across campus, including history and the social sciences.
Thus, students have the flexibility to work with world-renowned
faculty who are pursuing curriculum issues in a variety of subject
matter areas, learning technologies, educational policy, and teacher
education. Faculty will work with you to shape program that meet
your specific interests. In addition, students have the opportunity
to take
certification courses to prepare for teaching at the same time
as they are working on an MA degree.
Upon completion of your M.A., you will be prepared to work in a variety of public and private educational settings as an education leader of Social Studies curriculum and pedagogy. Program graduates often seek teaching, administrative, as well as curriculum and staff development positions. Some graduates work in policy positions that consider issues of curriculum standards and assessment. In addition, should you wish, you will be well prepared to continue your studies in a highly rated Ph.D. program.
This degree specialization is housed within the Educational Studies program, which fosters links among students and faculty in a number of specializations sharing a commitment to the integration of theory and research on teaching, learning, and educational access in P-12 settings.
Are you interested in applying to our program? If so, you've come to the right place. Just follow the steps below. Links will open up in a new window, close the window to return to this page.
1. Do you have any questions you would like answered before you apply? If so, view the School
of Education Frequently Asked Questions or contact the program. If not, continue on to item 2.
2. Fill out a Rackham program inquiry form to get you into our
system, so we can inform you of the latest recruiting events and other admissions
updates. You can fill
out a program
inquiry form by clicking here (be sure to close the new window to return
to this page).
3. Application Process: You will need to complete an application
to the Horace H. Rackham Graduate School,
which is the overall administrative unit for graduate programs. It is mandatory
that you use the Rackham Web application to apply to our programs.
You also need to send us a statement of purpose, official transcripts from every institution you have attended, three letters of recommendation, and your GRE scores. International students should also send in their TOEFL scores.
We created an application checklist for your use in keeping track of where and when you sent application materials. We recommend that you download and print up an application checklist.
Application Checklist
Fee waivers are available through the Rackham Graduate School for prospective students who qualify for Specialized Fee Waiver Groups. Please check Rackham's fee waiver Web page to see if you are eligible for one of these groups.
Note: The Office of Student Services matches documents to an application using the name appearing on the Rackham application. If the name on your documents, i.e., transcript, letter of recommendation, etc., is different from the name appearing on your application, please be sure to indicate all former last names or other first names on the Rackham application. Contact the Office of Student Services if you have information about your name that you did not include on the Rackham application.
For the latest deadline, please see our deadlines page
5. We hope you will get acquainted with us through our web materials,
e-mail correspondence, and when possible, a personal
visit. Be sure to
check out the University of
Michigan Web site, the Rackham
Graduate School Web site, and the rest of the resources in this program
site along with the School of Education Web site. In addition, you may want
to view the SOE
Bulletin.
There are opportunities through both the School of Education and the Rackham
Graduate School for merit and need based fellowships. To find out more, we
encourage you to review the
Graduate Financial Aid Resource Guide.
The Office
of Fellowships and Recruitment
is the contact for the Rackham Graduate School (734-764-8119).
We are delighted to learn of your interest in the University
of Michigan and this program. We encourage you to visit the campus to
discuss your interests with faculty and students. Visits are most helpful if
made prior to or during the application process. In addition to arranging individual
campus visits, you are encouraged to attend the annual Graduate Information Day. This is a great opportunity
for you to meet with School of Education faculty and staff, some of our current
students, and other prospective students. We wish you the best of luck in pursuing your
graduate studies and encourage you to contact us (above) if you have any questions
about the University of Michigan or your program.
Still have questions? If so, please visit the School
of Education Frequently Asked Questions, or contact the Office
of Student Services.
Questions about the status of your application? Check your application data and status online, via Wolverine Access. Please allow 7 days after submitting your application before checking your web application status on Wolverine Access. To do this you will need to use a login ID and password, and confirm some personal data before viewing your application:
For applicants who are current students or employees
1. Log into Wolverine Access using your existing UMICH uniqname login and click "New and Prospective Student Business."
"For applicants who are new to the University you will
need to create a secure login using a UM Friend Account and then log into Wolverine
Access at https://friend.weblogin.umich.edu/
1. Create a Friend Account by clicking on the following link: Create a Friend Account.
NOTE: If you have questions about creating a UM Friend Account you may go to http://www.itd.umich.edu/itcsdocs/s4316
2. Log into Wolverine Access at https://wolverineaccess.umich.edu/ and click "New and Prospective Student Business."
If you have any further questions, contact the Office
of Student Services at
(734) 764-7563 or
ed.grad.appl@umich.edu.
If you are interested in other School of Education programs, return to the "Academic Programs" home by clicking on the tab above or by clicking here.
To assist those interested in the various concentrations, here are the names of faculty members, student ambassadors, and recent graduates involved with the Social Studies Education specialization. If you have a general question about the program, or would like to talk to a current student about the program, please visit the Social Studies Education contacts page.
Faculty: To view a faculty member's research interests, click on their name (links open up a new window).
Affiliated Faculty:
Contact one of our Social Studies Education student ambassadors here. Ambassadors are students who have agreed to answer your questions about the program. We know there are times when you really want to hear about the program from a student's perspective, and these students have agreed to share their experiences. If you have general Social Studies Education questions, please contact the program directly here. Remember: In order to alert you to recruitment events and the latest admissions updates, be sure to also fill out a graduate program inquiry form
Ambassadors:
Tammy Shriner tlknowlt@umich.edu
Stephen Mucher mucher@umich.edu
Majoring in Social Studies at the University of Michigan gives you many opportunities to work with faculty members who are leaders in History and Social Studies Education.
Here is a list of some of the projects that Social Studies Education faculty and students are working on now, or have been involved with in the past.
Examples of current projects include:
ED 609: Curriculum Development and Evaluation
ED 635: Research in Social Studies
Educational Studies
Program Course Planning Sheet
For students admitted beginning Fall Term 1994
SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION - MASTER'S LEVEL
Minimum: 30 hours
THESE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS MUST BE REVIEWED AND DISCUSSED WITH YOUR ADVISOR
Name: ______________________________________ Term Admitted: _________________________
Advisor: ____________________________________
The Program Course Planning Sheet is to be submitted to the Office of Student Services during the term in which you plan to graduate. For specific dates, contact ed.grad.admit@umich.edu or the Office of Student Services (Room 1033) or see the "Deadline dates for submitting a Degree/Diploma Application" information on our web site. Contact your advisor or ed.grad.admit@umich.edu with any questions regarding course work.
Term Elected Course Number/Title Credit Hours
PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS: 6 HOURS
_______ EDUC 649 Foundational Perspectives on Educational Reform (3) ______
_______ EDUC 695 Research and Educational Practice (3) ______
SOCIAL STUDIES SPECIALIZATION REQUIREMENTS: 9 HOURS
_______ EDUC 604 School Curriculum (3) ______
_______ EDUC 635 Research in the Social Studies (3) ______
_______ EDUC 636 Recent Developments in the Social Studies (3) ______
ELECTIVES: 9 HOURS
_______ ____________________________________________________________________ ______
_______ ____________________________________________________________________ ______
_______ ____________________________________________________________________ ______
_______ ____________________________________________________________________ ______
COGNATES: 6 HOURS
Note: Cognates are defined as graduate level non-Education courses. However, cross-listed or meet together graduate courses with Education can be elected to fulfill the cognate requirement.
_______ ___________________________________________________________________ ______
_______ ____________________________________________________________________ ______
_______ ____________________________________________________________________ ______
Advisor Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: ________________
Program Chair Signature: _________________________________________ Date: ________________
