BA in History / EdM in Social Studies Education
Teach history with depth. Lead with perspective.
The UB Teach BA in History / EdM in Social Studies Education is an accelerated five-year pathway that combines a strong foundation in historical study with graduate training in social studies teaching. You will develop deep content knowledge in history while gaining extensive classroom experience as you prepare to teach social studies in grades 5–12.
This program is built for students who want to stay grounded in history while making a direct impact in schools and communities. You will learn how to help students connect the past to the present, work with evidence and build the civic and historical thinking skills that matter in everyday life.
You’ll be prepared to:
- Teach social studies with strong historical content knowledge
- Design lessons that build inquiry, discussion and evidence-based argument
- Support a wide range of learners using inclusive, research-informed practices
- Enter the profession with significant clinical experience and a year-long residency
You begin by building a solid history foundation and sharpening your skills in reading, writing and historical analysis. As you progress, you add professional education coursework and clinical experiences that grow in responsibility over time. In the final year, you complete a full teaching residency with an experienced mentor teacher.
- Accelerated five-year pathway to a BA in History and an EdM in Social Studies Education
- Study in two academic homes: History and Learning and Instruction
- Clinical experiences embedded throughout the program
- A full one-year teaching residency in your final year
- A cohort-style experience with advising support and clear milestones
Program at a glance
Degrees: Bachelor’s degree and master of education (EdM)
Time to complete: Five years
Format: On campus with some online coursework
Certification: New York State social studies education
Grade levels: 7 to 12 with grades 5 to 6 extension
Honors and research opportunities
High-achieving students may apply to the History Honors Program and complete an original research thesis based on primary sources under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The honors experience allows you to deepen your expertise in a focused area of history while strengthening your research, writing and analytical skills.
You’ll study history the way historians do: asking good questions, analyzing primary sources and building arguments with evidence. At the same time, you’ll learn how adolescents learn, how classrooms work and how to turn complex historical ideas into engaging, accessible instruction.
Along the way, you will:
- Explore history across regions, time periods and themes
- Practice discussion-based teaching that helps students think critically
- Learn how to assess student learning and adapt instruction
- Build confidence through repeated classroom experiences before your residency
By completing this combined degree, you will be able to:
- Interpret primary sources and evaluate historical arguments
- Explain historical change and continuity clearly and persuasively
- Design inquiry-driven lessons that connect history to civic life today
- Use inclusive teaching strategies that support diverse learners
- Lead classroom discussion, facilitate writing and help students use evidence well
- Grow into a reflective educator through mentored practice and feedback
Graduates are prepared for teaching and history-connected professional roles, including:
- Social studies teacher (middle and high school)
- Curriculum or instructional support roles
- Education roles in museums and historical organizations
- Public history and community education work
If you want to study history deeply and teach it in a way that helps students understand the world they live in, UB Teach offers a clear pathway to the classroom with strong content preparation and extensive hands-on training.
Students can declare the UB Teach BA in History/ EdM in Social Studies Education when they apply or change majors. Visit the Graduate School of Education to learn more.
