Do you have an interest in history and cultural differences? Prepare students for their future with social studies.

A middle school social studies degree prepares you for a career teaching social studies in a middle school setting. Our graduates are certified to work with grades 5-9. 

What You’ll Do  

As a middle school education social studies major at Southeast, you’ll gain real-world experiences that will prepare you to thrive in the classroom.  

  • Be prepared and certified to teach middle school social studies grades 5 – 9. 
  • Integrate technology into your curriculum with the EDvolution® one-to-one instructional technology program. 
  • Have the opportunity for student teaching abroad, including our partnership with Eagles College in Iquique, Chile. 
  • Have opportunities for leadership in numerous student organizations. 
  • Have full-time faculty with experience in the classroom as their primary instructors. 
  • Study in a nationally accredited program. 

What Can You Do with a Middle School Education Degree in Social Studies?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, and sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you can land your dream job in no time. 

Education Careers Outlook

  • Middle School Social Studies was in the top fifteen teacher shortage areas in Missouri in the 2019-2020 school year.
  • Placement rates are high for alumni with more than one teaching certification.
  • First-year teachers report feeling well-prepared by Southeast Missouri State University on our annual survey of first-year teachers.

Middle School Education - Social Studies Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

Outcomes & Careers 

  • $67k 

    Middle School Teacher  

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a middle school teacher is $67,790. 

  • $67k

    Career/Technical Middle School Teacher 

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a middle school language arts teacher is $67,680. 

  • $69k

    High School Teacher

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a high school teacher is $69,480. 

What You'll Study

Degree Map

As a middle school education social studies major, you’ll learn how to work with students in middle school settings in a supportive environment with faculty who have extensive classroom experience themselves. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours. 

Middle School students must be admitted to the College of Education prior to enrolling in SE350.

Porfessional Education Courses - 49 Hours Required

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in education courses, with the exception of ED280 which requires a grade of ‘B’ or better.

  • ED280 Introduction to Education as a Profession (3)
  • ED506 Education, Law, and Society (3)
  • EF400 Student Teaching Seminar (1)
  • EX390 Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child (3)
  • PY222 Development of the Adolescent (3)
  • SE307 Content Literacy Methods for Middle and High School (3)
  • SE318 Techniques of Teaching Social Studies (3)
  • SE350 Pedagogy 1: Principles of Effective Teaching (3)
  • SE355 Field Experience II (3)
  • SE360 Pedagogy 2: Interdisciplinary Methods for Middle School (3)
  • SE380 Advanced Field Experience (3)
  • SE385 Pedagogy 3: Advanced Methods of Middle and Secondary Teaching (3)
  • SE390 Instructional Interventions for Middle and Secondary Students with Special Literacy Needs (3)
  • SE465 Student Teaching (12)

Social Science Content Courses – 24 Hours Required

  • EC101 Economic Problems and Policies (3)
  • EH101 Early European Civilization (3)
  • OS200 Survey of Social Science (3)
  • PS103 US Political Systems (3)
  • UI308 Cultural and Physical Landscapes of the World (3)
  • US105 American History I (3)
  • US107 American History II (3)
  • WH305 World Civilizations (3) or WH160 Modern World Civilizations (3)

"Critical Courses" are italicized and bolded. These courses are indicators of potential for success in the degree program.

  • 42 credit hours completed
  • One of the following:
    • Composite/Superscore of 20 or higher on the ACT exam;
    • Passing scores on all sections of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA); or 3) A 4-year degree from an accredited college/university
    • Have a previous 4-year degree from an accredited college/university
  • The following course requirements met:
    • A grade of C or above in CF/PY120 The Child (Elementary, Early, and Exceptional) or PY222 Development of the Adolescent (5-9, 9-12, and PK-12)
    • A grade of B or above in ED280 Introduction to Education as a Profession or ME222 Principles of Teaching Music.
  • International Students must also meet the following requirements
    • C1 (CEFR) level
    • IELTS minimum score of 7.0 or TOEFL minimum score of 95
    • Note: This policy is for non-United States citizens who are not native English speakers. Students from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are exempt from English proficiency verification

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

Freshman Year

Fall Semester (13 Hours) 
  • UI100 (1) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • OS200 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
  • PS103 (3)
  • PY222 (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester (17 Hours) 
  • ED280 (3)
  • EC101 (3)
  • US107 (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (2) 
Spring Semester (17 Hours) 
  • EH101 (3)
  • US105 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (2) 

Milestone: Passing score MoGEA

Junior Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • EX390 (3) 
  • SE350 (3) 
  • WH150  or WH160 (3)
  • UI308 (3)
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • SE307 (3) 
  • SE355 (3) 
  • SE360 (3) 
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Milestone: Maintain 3.0 GPA in Ed. courses

Senior Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • ED506 (3) 
  • SE318 (3) 
  • SE380 (3)
  • SE385 (3)
  • SE390 (3) 
Spring Semester (13 Hours) 
  • EF400 (1)
  • SE465 (12)

Milestone: Passing score Mo Content Exams and common assessment; 3.0 GPA in Ed. courses; 3.0 GPA in content courses

Students have the option of adding another area of concentration or a minor to this degree.

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Get Funding for Your Education

Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.

Accreditations

  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) logo
  • Apple Distinguished School logo

See the world as you gain experience: You'll do that here.

Do your student teaching abroad in a variety of locations, including our partnership with Eagles College in Iquique, Chile.

Out of State Certification

Completion of this program allows you to be eligible to apply for an education certification in the state of Missouri through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). It is not certain if it leads to certification in other states. The U.S. Department of Education has contact information available for each state's licensure agencies.

Location
Office Location
Scully 238
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 5675
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701