Social Science Teacher Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring educators, this program equips future teachers with the knowledge and pedagogical skills necessary to instruct students in core social science disciplines across elementary, secondary, and post-secondary settings. Through a rigorous curriculum grounded in both content mastery and effective teaching strategies, graduates are prepared to inspire critical thinking and foster civic engagement in diverse learning environments.
- History: Explores the development of human societies across time, emphasizing major events, cultural shifts, and historical analysis to cultivate informed perspectives on the past.
- Geography: Examines the physical and human dimensions of Earth’s surface, including spatial patterns, environmental interactions, and the impact of location on societies.
- Political Science: Investigates systems of governance, political behavior, public policy, and the structure and function of governmental institutions at local, national, and global levels.
- Economics: Analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, focusing on individual and collective decision-making within market and non-market contexts.
- Psychology: Studies human behavior and mental processes, providing insights into individual and group dynamics relevant to learning, development, and social interaction in educational settings.
- Sociology: Explores social structures, institutions, and relationships, offering a framework for understanding diversity, inequality, and the forces that shape human societies.
Social Science Teacher Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Social Science Teacher Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Social Science Teacher Education degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education and Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,752,000 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
Social Science Teacher Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,233 in Oklahoma to $93,697 in California—a 76% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,752,000 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Social Science Teacher Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 76 institutions offering Social Science Teacher Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Social Science Teacher Education is found at Grand Canyon University (GCU) (91 graduates), University of Northern Iowa (UNI) (36 graduates), Auburn University (AU) (24 graduates), Florida State University (FSU) (23 graduates), and University of Wisconsin (UWO), Oshkosh (23 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 550 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
91 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Winona State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Winona, Minnesota | Public | winona.edu |
| Upper Iowa University (UIU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Fayette, Iowa | Private | uiu.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | University Center, Michigan | Public | svsu.edu |
| Wayne State College (WSC) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Wayne, Nebraska | Public | wsc.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| Southern Utah University (SUU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Cedar City, Utah | Public | suu.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| Wright State University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | wright.edu |
| Saint Xavier University (SXU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | sxu.edu |
| Evangel University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | evangel.edu |
| Northwest Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Maryville, Missouri | Public | nwmissouri.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Henderson State University (HSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Public | hsu.edu |
| Elmhurst University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Elmhurst, Illinois | Private | elmhurst.edu |
| Chadron State College (CSC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Chadron, Nebraska | Public | csc.edu |
| Wilmington University (WilmU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | New Castle, Delaware | Private | wilmu.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| Southeastern University (SEU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | seu.edu |
| Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Lewiston, Idaho | Public | lcsc.edu |
| Mount St. Mary's University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Emmitsburg, Maryland | Private | msmary.edu |
| Jackson State University (JSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Jackson, Mississippi | Public | jsums.edu |
| Missouri Valley College (MVC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Marshall, Missouri | Private | moval.edu |
| Southwest Baptist University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Bolivar, Missouri | Private | sbuniv.edu |
| Peru State College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Peru, Nebraska | Public | peru.edu |
| Dickinson State University (DSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Dickinson, North Dakota | Public | dickinsonstate.edu |
| Marywood University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | marywood.edu |
| Florida Southern College (FSC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | flsouthern.edu |
| Blackburn College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Carlinville, Illinois | Private | blackburn.edu |
| Concordia University (CUC) |
Master's
|
3 | River Forest, Illinois | Private | cuchicago.edu |
| Truman State University |
Master's
|
3 | Kirksville, Missouri | Public | truman.edu |
| The University of Montana (UMW) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Dillon, Montana | Public | umwestern.edu |
| Mayville State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Mayville, North Dakota | Public | mayvillestate.edu |
| Central Methodist University (CGES) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Fayette, Missouri | Private | centralmethodist.edu |
| American College of Education (ACE) |
Master's
|
3 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | ace.edu |
| University of North Georgia (UNG) |
Master's
|
3 | Dahlonega, Georgia | Public | ung.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Monmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Monmouth, Illinois | Private | monmouthcollege.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Lindsey Wilson College (LWC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Columbia, Kentucky | Private | lindsey.edu |
| Blue Mountain Christian University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Blue Mountain, Mississippi | Private | bmc.edu |
| Itawamba Community College (ICC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Fulton, Mississippi | Public | iccms.edu |
| Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Fayette, Missouri | Private | centralmethodist.edu |
| Minot State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Minot, North Dakota | Public | minotstateu.edu |
| Valley City State University (VCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Valley City, North Dakota | Public | vcsu.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYUH) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Laie, Hawaii | Private | byuh.edu |
| Miles College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Fairfield, Alabama | Private | miles.edu |
| University of Mobile |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mobile, Alabama | Private | umobile.edu |
| Pacific Union College (PUC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Angwin, California | Private | puc.edu |
| Simpson University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Redding, California | Private | simpsonu.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Mount Mercy University (MMU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Private | mtmercy.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| Lincoln University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jefferson City, Missouri | Public | lincolnu.edu |
| William Woods University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Fulton, Missouri | Private | williamwoods.edu |
| Hastings College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Hastings, Nebraska | Private | hastings.edu |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Private | nebrwesleyan.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| University of Mary (UMary) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Private | umary.edu |
| Randall University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Moore, Oklahoma | Private | ru.edu |
| Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Private | okbu.edu |
| Robert Morris University (RMU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | Private | rmu.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Saint Norbert College (SNC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | De Pere, Wisconsin | Private | snc.edu |
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Master's
|
1 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Social Science Teacher Education programs
How much can I earn with a Social Science Teacher Education degree?
Salaries for Social Science Teacher Education graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn around $64,580. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $93,697 compared to $53,233 in Oklahoma. Approximately 1,752,000 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Social Science Teacher Education programs?
Currently 76 accredited institutions offer Social Science Teacher Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Grand Canyon University (GCU) (91 graduates), University of Northern Iowa (UNI) (36 graduates), and Auburn University (AU) (24 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Social Science Teacher Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 821 in 2010 to 550 in 2023-24. This represents a 33% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Social Science Teacher Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,752,000 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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