Best institutions to study Social Studies Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach general social studies programs at various educational levels.
219 U.S. institutions graduated 1,922 Social Studies Teacher Education students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1318, a specialization of Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13), and leads most directly to the Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education occupation (BLS SOC 25-2022).
About Social Studies Teacher Education programs
A program that prepares individuals to teach general social studies programs at various educational levels.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Social Studies Teacher Education program prepares individuals to teach general social studies at various educational levels. This program is part of the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field, equipping future educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively engage students in social studies topics.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework often covers areas like education and training, psychology, and philosophy, providing a well-rounded foundation for teaching social studies.
Credentials awarded
What Social Studies Teacher Education graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,384 graduates / yr · 180 institutions72%
- Master's degree478 graduates / yr · 52 institutions25%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year27 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate15 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.8%
- Associate's degree11 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.6%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Social Studies Teacher Education completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,901 |
| 2013 | 2,599 |
| 2014 | 2,198 |
| 2015 | 1,853 |
| 2016 | 1,809 |
| 2017 | 1,533 |
| 2018 | 1,547 |
| 2019 | 1,573 |
| 2020 | 1,714 |
| 2021 | 1,880 |
| 2022 | 1,891 |
| 2023 | 1,847 |
| 2024 | 1,868 |
| 2025 | 1,922 |
Top 50 institutions for Social Studies Teacher Education, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 53 | 90% | — | $43,129 |
| 2 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 46 | 53% | — | $58,894 |
| 3 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 43 | 46% | — | $42,373 |
| 4 | State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 40 | 72% | — | $39,714 |
| 5 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster's | 38 | 75% | — | — |
| 6 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 36 | — | — | — |
| 7 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor's | 34 | 64% | — | $35,860 |
| 8 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 33 | 54% | — | $46,233 |
| 9 | SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 32 | 45% | — | — |
| 10 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 31 | 33% | — | $34,646 |
| 11 | State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NYPublicBachelor's | 31 | 68% | — | $42,132 |
| 12 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicMaster's | 29 | 76% | — | — |
| 13 | SUNY College at Geneseo Geneseo, NYPublicBachelor's | 29 | 71% | — | $34,435 |
| 14 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor'sMaster's | 28 | 57% | — | $49,245 |
| 15 | SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NYPublicBachelor's | 28 | 69% | — | $36,776 |
| 16 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 28 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 17 | State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 27 | 60% | — | $39,689 |
| 18 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 27 | 80% | — | $39,817 |
| 19 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 26 | 59% | — | $43,996 |
| 20 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WIPublicBachelor's | 26 | 64% | — | $43,242 |
| 21 | St. Joseph's University - New York Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 69% | $17,134 | $40,790 |
| 22 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicBachelor's | 22 | 54% | — | $47,755 |
| 23 | Niagara University Niagara University, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 22 | 75% | $17,048 | — |
| 24 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor's | 22 | 75% | — | $46,019 |
| 25 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 22 | 83% | — | $44,923 |
| 26 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor's | 21 | 71% | — | $35,282 |
| 27 | SUNY Brockport Brockport, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 21 | 55% | — | $37,167 |
| 28 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicBachelor's | 21 | 63% | — | $43,607 |
| 29 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicBachelor's | 21 | 66% | — | — |
| 30 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicBachelor's | 20 | 62% | — | $46,347 |
| 31 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicBachelor's | 20 | 43% | — | $41,914 |
| 32 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicMaster's | 19 | 53% | — | $26,967 |
| 33 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 18 | 58% | — | $42,468 |
| 34 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 18 | 67% | — | $49,969 |
| 35 | University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MNPublicBachelor's | 16 | 65% | — | $41,952 |
| 36 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WIPublicBachelor's | 16 | 71% | — | $44,281 |
| 37 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicBachelor's | 15 | 64% | — | $46,970 |
| 38 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 15 | 52% | — | $35,111 |
| 39 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicBachelor's | 15 | 59% | — | $49,587 |
| 40 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MOPublicBachelor's | 14 | 58% | — | $34,206 |
| 41 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 66% | $27,359 | $32,643 |
| 42 | Northern Michigan University Marquette, MIPublicBachelor's | 13 | 52% | — | $43,443 |
| 43 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicBachelor's | 13 | 58% | — | — |
| 44 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 69% | $34,539 | $38,556 |
| 45 | Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 46% | $17,604 | — |
| 46 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor's | 13 | 75% | — | $47,572 |
| 47 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 13 | 85% | — | — |
| 48 | Indiana University - Southeast New Albany, INPublicBachelor's | 12 | 39% | — | — |
| 49 | University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, MIPublicBachelor's | 12 | 58% | — | $44,845 |
| 50 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicBachelor's | 12 | 54% | — | $43,307 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field (CIP 13.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 37 states & territories
Where Social Studies Teacher Education graduates come from. Each state links to all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-2022, Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Social Studies Teacher Education program typically pursue careers as middle school or secondary school teachers, with a median wage of $62,970. Although the job outlook indicates a decline of 2%, there are approximately 40,500 annual openings in the field, primarily requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1318
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Educationprimary SOC 25-2022 | $64,370 | -2.0% Decline | ~40,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Social Studies Teacher Education programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
Tools and technology used
Other Teacher Education and Professional Development specializations
The 37 other 6-digit CIP codes under Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13).
- Physical Education Teaching and CoachingCIP 13.13147,066 graduates / yr415 institutions
- Reading Teacher EducationCIP 13.13156,128 graduates / yr305 institutions
- Music Teacher EducationCIP 13.13124,104 graduates / yr447 institutions
- Mathematics Teacher EducationCIP 13.13113,340 graduates / yr347 institutions
- English/CIP 13.1305
Language Arts Teacher Education 2,847 graduates / yr349 institutions - Teacher Education and Professional DevelopmentCIP 13.13992,468 graduates / yr113 institutions
- Art Teacher EducationCIP 13.13021,858 graduates / yr258 institutions
- Health Teacher EducationCIP 13.13071,475 graduates / yr75 institutions
- Agricultural Teacher EducationCIP 13.13011,051 graduates / yr68 institutions
- Science Teacher Education/CIP 13.1316
General Science Teacher Education 1,021 graduates / yr160 institutions - History Teacher EducationCIP 13.1328976 graduates / yr128 institutions
- Biology Teacher EducationCIP 13.1322702 graduates / yr145 institutions
- Trade and Industrial Teacher EducationCIP 13.1320695 graduates / yr31 institutions
- School Librarian/CIP 13.1334
School Library Media Specialist 578 graduates / yr34 institutions - Social Science Teacher EducationCIP 13.1317498 graduates / yr66 institutions
- Technology Teacher Education/CIP 13.1309
Industrial Arts Teacher Education 389 graduates / yr33 institutions - Technical Teacher EducationCIP 13.1319356 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Spanish Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1330342 graduates / yr96 institutions
- Foreign Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1306264 graduates / yr61 institutions
- Family and Consumer Sciences/CIP 13.1308
Home Economics Teacher Education 261 graduates / yr38 institutions - Drama and Dance Teacher EducationCIP 13.1324242 graduates / yr49 institutions
- Chemistry Teacher EducationCIP 13.1323209 graduates / yr63 institutions
- Computer Teacher EducationCIP 13.1321183 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Business and Innovation/CIP 13.1303
Entrepreneurship Teacher Education 165 graduates / yr38 institutions - Earth Science Teacher EducationCIP 13.1337144 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Physics Teacher EducationCIP 13.1329120 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Environmental EducationCIP 13.1338105 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Health Occupations Teacher EducationCIP 13.132789 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Speech Teacher EducationCIP 13.1331partial data60 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Driver and Safety Teacher EducationCIP 13.1304partial data40 graduates / yr4 institutions
- French Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.132526 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Communication Arts and Literature Teacher EducationCIP 13.1339partial data14 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Sales and Marketing Operations/CIP 13.1310
Marketing and Distribution Teacher Education limited data8 graduates / yr2 institutions - Latin Teacher EducationCIP 13.1333partial data7 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Psychology Teacher EducationCIP 13.1335partial data5 graduates / yr4 institutions
- German Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1326partial data4 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Geography Teacher EducationCIP 13.1332limited data2 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs →
Common questions
What degree do I need to become a social studies teacher?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for social studies teachers?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2%, with about 40,500 annual openings.
What subjects will I be able to teach?+
You will be prepared to teach general social studies and related subjects.
What is the CIP code for Social Studies Teacher Education?+
Social Studies Teacher Education is CIP 13.1318 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to teach general social studies programs at various educational levels.
How many institutions offer Social Studies Teacher Education programs?+
219 U.S. institutions reported Social Studies Teacher Education graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 37 states & territories, awarding 1,922 credentials in the year. That is 4.8% of all Teacher Education and Professional Development graduates.
How much do Social Studies Teacher Education graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education occupation, which Social Studies Teacher Education most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,370 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field report median earnings of $43,045 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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