Please note the following admission requirements for the Secondary Social Studies Education (MIC) program:
College of Education, Department of Curriculum & Instruction Secondary Social Studies Education (M.A.) Master's with Initial Teacher Certification
What can you do with your degree?
You'll earn both a Master’s degree and secondary teaching certification within one calendar year.
You'll complete the program with initial certification to teach in Kentucky, prepared to teach history, anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology to students in grades 8-12.
Delivery Method: In-person
Credit Hours: 31 (one calendar year, full time)
Why UK?
Students in this degree program begin teaching from Day 1. This clinically-based learning environment helps students quickly acclimate to the day-to-day life of a classroom teacher with actual, hands-on experience. We believe the ideal learning environment combines theory with practice, and therefore the program is structured to maximize that synthesis.
You'll have opportunities to develop your own philosophy of teaching social studies, and will be able to participate in activities ranging from organizing a Global Talk interactive video program and a service project to designing lesson plans to teach in the fall and a unit to use in spring student teaching.
Upon graduation, students advance to Rank II status, which results in a pay increase for Kentucky teachers.
State Authorization & Licensure
If you plan to complete a University of Kentucky online program while living outside of Kentucky, you should check the Out-of-State Students page to determine if the University of Kentucky is authorized to provide this program in your state of residence. If you plan to use the degree to seek licensure, you should also determine if the degree meets the educational requirements for licensure in your state.
Program Details
Learn more about:
- Application requirements
- Degree requirements
Visit the University of Kentucky catalog for more program details
Admission Requirements
- Undergraduate degree with a major or minor in history or social science
- One course in each of the other social sciences (anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology)
- Ideally, at least one course about each world region
- Admission to the Graduate School, which requires a minimum of 2.75 undergraduate GPA and 3.0 GPA in any graduate work.
- We encourage applicants to have acquired substantial experience with 14 to 18 year olds, either via the University of Kentucky undergraduate course EDC 362, or by other experience. Contact us to discuss further.
What we look for in applicants
- A reflective understanding of American society, its past and contemporary situation and its place in the larger world;
- an ability to apply social science concepts and use inquiry and interpretive skills;
- a historical perspective;
- multicultural and global perspectives;
- an ability to learn from participating in community affairs and service.
Request Information
Questions about applying? Complete our form to be contacted by a recruiter for more information.
Cost of Attendance
Understand the total estimated expense to attend UK, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
Tuition and Fees
Understand the specific charges for instruction and related services, excluding other living and personal expenses.