Social studies education

Master of education/initial licensure
(Minnesota state licensure in social studies education)

Social studies teachers help form their students' views of society, culture, diversity, tradition, and human relations. It's an important job that needs passionate leaders like you!

Program

The social studies education initial licensure program is designed to help you become an inquiring, analytical, and reflective professional educator prepared to teach in grades 5-12 classrooms and lead in the schools. The program seeks to develop educators who are advocates for young people and the social studies, and can help youth to become thoughtful and active citizens in a culturally diverse, democratic society.

Master of education (M.Ed.)/initial licensure programs are for individuals with bachelor's degrees who want to become licensed teachers. These graduate-level programs provide rigorous professional teacher preparation in accordance with Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers (SEPT) and content standards adopted in fall 1998 by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

Social studies education students enter a 13-month program integrating educational theory with classroom practice. This program is offered through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) (C&I) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). Sixteen weeks of student teaching create a strong experience base in which to apply the principles and methods learned in University classes.

Included is preparation on understanding student learning, working with diverse learners, using a variety of instructional strategies, creating positive learning environments, communication, lesson planning, assessment, reflection and professional development, and collaboration, ethics, and relationships.

An important advantage of this program is its cohort nature. Students begin classes together and continue through their course of study as a single group, building a valuable sense of community. Throughout their student teaching, prospective teachers work closely with experienced teachers, observing firsthand the daily rewards and challenges of the profession.

This program includes two concurrent components: initial licensure and the M.Ed. degree. Students must meet all State of Minnesota licensure requirements to earn licensure recommendation. In addition, they must meet all degree requirements specified in the M.Ed. Handbook.

Curriculum

Students complete foundations, methods, and clinical experience coursework for licensure. Students are accepted into the program as a single cohort once each year, beginning classes in June and continuing through August of the following year.

First summer session*

CI 5741—Introduction to Social Studies Education (3 cr)
EDHD 5001—Learning, Cognition, and Assessment (3 cr)
EDHD 5003—Developmental and Individual Differences in Educational Contexts (2 cr)
EDHD 5004—Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Settings (2 cr) (effective fall 2009)
EDHD 5005—School and Society (2 cr)
EDHD 5009—Human Relations: Applied Skills for School and Society (1 cr)
PUBH 6003—Fundamentals of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (1 cr)

Note: The PUBH-designated course listed above may not be applied toward the M.Ed. degree.

During the first summer, students take courses in foundations of education, including courses on the psychological, sociological, philosophical, and theoretical foundations of education. These courses lay the foundation for developing a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills in education. Through inquiry, analysis, and reflection, prospective teachers learn to examine educational issues from multiple perspectives. Students must also complete the first social studies methods course during the summer: CI 5741. This introductory methods course focuses on developing basic instructional techniques and identifying/evaluating teaching resources. Students become familiar with the concept of “authentic pedagogy”, develop assessment tasks, and design instructional lessons.

* CI 5741 must be completed during the summer session. Other courses in this list may be completed during fall, the first part of spring, or second summer terms.

Fall term

CI 5452—Reading in the Content Areas for Initial Licensure Candidates (1 cr)
CI 5644—Working with Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students in the Mainstream Classroom (1 cr)
CI 5742—Advanced Methods of Teaching the Social Studies (3 cr)
CI 5743—The Social Sciences and the Social Studies (3 cr)
CI 5782—Clinical Experiences in Teaching Social Studies (5 cr fall) [does not count toward M.Ed. degree]
EDHD 5007—Technology for Teaching and Learning (1.5 cr)

In the fall, students enroll in courses that include a student teaching experience (CI 5782). Each student works with a secondary social studies teacher in the metropolitan area every morning for seven weeks. During this time, the student teacher plans and teaches an instructional unit to at least one class. In the afternoons, student teachers take courses on campus. In these courses, students develop their repertoire of instructional methods, examine the structure of the social science disciplines and explore technology and its uses in the classroom.

Spring term

CI 5744—Seminar: Reflecting on Professional Development in Social Studies Education (3 cr)
CI 5745—Engaging Youth with Social Studies (3 cr)
CI 5782—Clinical Experiences in Teaching Social Studies (7 cr spring) does not count towards M.Ed. degree
Third week of May–end of May Session:
CI 5746—Global and Multicultural Education in the Secondary Classroom (3 cr)

CI 5762—Developing Civic Discourse in the Social Studies (3cr)

In the spring, students complete a 10-week student teaching experience (CI 5782). During this time, students are in the schools all day. Each student teacher is assigned a mentor social studies teacher. All student teachers enroll in a seminar held on campus every other week to discuss and reflect on their teaching experiences (CI 5744).

M.Ed. completion

Students completing their M.Ed. degree must apply to graduate by submitting the appropriate forms to Student Services no later than the first day of the month in which their last course grade will be posted. Degrees are cleared at the end of each month, and are posted to the transcript by the end of the following month. Those who wish to participate in Commencement must submit their completion forms to Student Services no later than March 1. The required forms are:

Application for M.Ed. Degree and/or Certificate available online at http://www.cehd.umn.edu/students/Graduate/Forms/M.Ed.-CertApp.pdf, and
Either a final program form or APAS(look under self-services in the column on the right) signed by your faculty adviser

See course descriptions and course schedules.

Admission criteria

Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:

Knowledge of content area—Applicants must have a fully developed knowledge base of the subject area (see content area). A transcript review should be completed by the Student Services program adviser before applying. These reviews may be done by mail or in person. Students completing degrees outside of the United States must arrange for a transcript evaluation (see #3 under the “Application materials” heading below).
Classroom experience with grades 5-12—100 paid or unpaid hours (for more information, see classroom experience)
Cultural and other diversity experience
Résumé and personal statement
Grade point average (GPA)—2.80 overall GPA at the time of application. The bachelor’s degree must be completed at the time of matriculation.

How to apply

All applicants must submit the following items:

Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or are currently attending, except the University of Minnesota. Transcripts must be received from the issuing school in a sealed and stamped envelope.  Any student with a U.S. bachelor’s degree or a comparable foreign degree from an accredited college or university may apply to CEHD. Official transcripts of all previous post-secondary academic study must be submitted.  If you completed coursework at a university outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation center. Request a “course-by-course” evaluation. This process can take four-six weeks, so please plan in advance. A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 (414-289-3400, fax: 414-289-3411).

All applicants must submit the following items with their online applications:

Résumé highlighting classroom experience, diversity experience, and other experiences relevant to your teaching field. The résumé must include the following details for each experience:
- Dates and total hours (e.g., October 2007-December 2007; two days/week to total 100 hours)
- Name and location of site
- Supervisor's name and phone number
- Description of activities
Personal Statement that discusses how the experiences listed on your résumé have influenced your decision to become a teacher. Limited to two double-spaced pages, typed or word-processed, size-12 font.
Two letters of recommendation addressing your education-related experience, work style, and personal attributes. Include at least one letter from a 5-12 site supervisor listed on your résumé. Sealed or unsealed recommendation letters may be submitted. Letters may be submitted in the application packet (preferred) or sent separately to CEHD Student Services.
Application fee charged when your online application is submitted. Fees must be paid with a credit card.

Nonnative English speakers and/or international students 

All nonnative English speakers must submit an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (Exceptions may be granted for applicants who will have completed 16 semester or 24 quarter credits within the past 24 months in residence as a full-time student at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota.)

Minimum TOEFL score requirements are listed below:

Internet-based test	79-80
Computer-based test	213
Paper-based test	550

Applicants may also be required to demonstrate spoken English proficiency in an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and/or oral interview with faculty or staff. Contact Student Services for more information.

International applicants who will require an I-20 for a student visa must submit a Financial Certification Statement, which will be mailed to you upon admission to the program.

Apply Online

Apply Online
Be sure to save your PIN number and password, so that you can work on the application over time.
Take your time and follow instructions carefully, because once your application is submitted, you will no longer have access to add/change information or upload required supplemental material.
As your application is reviewed, you will receive e-mail notifications of your status.
Your application status and decision will also be posted in your application account.

Timeline

December 15—All application materials due

February—Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for financial aid

February/March—Committee review of applications

Late March—Notification of decisions

May 1—Deadline for University of Minnesota application for summer financial aid (eligible if FAFSA has been submitted)

Mid-May—Orientation and summer registration

Early June—Summer term begins. To be eligible to start the program in June, the student’s official Praxis I test scores must be submitted to Student Services by June 1.

Before you begin the program

Testing

The Minnesota Board of Teaching requires licensure applicants to pass several standardized Praxis Series tests administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). These tests are offered several times a year; students are responsible for registering for and taking Praxis Series tests by the required deadlines. Test information is available from The Praxis Series Information and Registration Bulletin, available at Student Services (612-625-6501) or the ETS Web site.

Students must pass the following tests to be recommended by CEHD for teaching licensure:

Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST). Students must take this test before starting the licensure program. Official Praxis I test scores must be submitted to Student Services before starting the program.

The following tests must be taken before licensure program completion:

Praxis II: Subject Assessments

Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Tests

See more details at Praxis testing.

Criminal background check

Before starting student teaching or practica, students are subject to a criminal background check required by the college. The investigation is conducted by a private agency contracted by the college and is designed to meet school district guidelines governing adults with responsibility for children. Decisions about candidate placement will be made by the district approving the assignment. For background check details and fees, contact Bob Utke at CEHD, 612-625-1084, e-mail: stuteach@umn.edu.