Social Studies Education
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Designed For
This program is designed for social studies educators with three years of teaching experience who are interested in advancing scholarship and leadership in social studies education and deepening their expertise in teaching, curriculum and educational theory.
Career Objective
Graduates are prepared to contribute to the advancement of social studies education across careers in higher education, educational research and academic leadership.
At a Glance
Program Starts: Fall
Deadline to Apply:
December 15
Length of Program: 48-60 months
Schedule: Flexible
Program Location: On Campus
GRE Required? No
Preparing Scholars and Leaders in Social Studies Education
The Social Studies Education (SSE) program provides rigorous, research-driven preparation for individuals committed to advancing the field through extensive coursework, research and professional engagement that supports a critical examination of how social studies is taught and learned across educational settings.
Students develop a strong theoretical foundation while building advanced research skills that support meaningful inquiry into curriculum, pedagogy and educational practice. Through close collaboration with faculty and active participation in scholarly work, students are prepared to contribute original research and thought leadership to the field and shape the future of social studies education.
Program Area Coordinator, Advisor
Katherina Payne
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Stephen Flynn
Program Details
Program Requirements
General Requirements (Minimum 21 Credit Hours)
- EDC 380F Sociocultural Foundations
- EDC 381F Introduction to Teaching and Teacher Education
- EDC 383F Curriculum Theory
To be taken in sequence:
Step 1 (3 credit hours)
- EDC 381R Introduction to Systems of Human Inquiry
Step 2 (6 credit hours in any order)
- EDC 385R Introduction to Quantitative Research
- EDC 386R Introduction to Qualitative Research
Step 3 (3 credit hours, one course topic from either category or an advisor-approved advanced research course)
- EDC 387R Advanced Quantitative Research
OR - EDC 388R Advanced Qualitative Research
Directed Research (Minimum 12 Credit Hours)
EDC 396T Directed Research in Curriculum & Instruction (6 hours minimum)
Two additional courses that include a substantial research component approved by the advisor.
Please Note: EDC 396T can be taken more than once for credit.
Specialization Requirements (Minimum 15 Credit Hours)
SSE students will complete at least 15 credit hours of related coursework, selected in consultation with and approved by the program advisor. Students are encouraged to take courses across other clusters within the Department of Curriculum and Instruction that support their career goals.
Courses that may fulfill this requirement include:
- EDC 382E Teaching Elementary School Subject- Social Studies
- EDC 382E Social Studies Education: Issues and Research in the Field
- EDC 382S Teaching Secondary School Subjects: Social Studies
- EDC 384 Research in Elementary Social Studies
- EDC 385G Current Issues Teaching the Social Studies
- EDC 385G History of the Social Studies
- EDC 385G Perspectives on Democratic and Citizenship Education
- EDC 390T Humanities and Literacy in Social Education
- EDC 390T Improving Social Studies Education
- EDC 390T Institutes in Instruction: Critical Issues in Social Education
- EDC 396 Seminar: Social Studies Education
Courses Outside the Department (Minimum 6 Credit Hours)
Coursework from the General Requirements, Directed Research, and Special Requirements sections may be used to fulfill this requirement; as a result, hours in this section may already count toward the total required hours.
Students may also choose courses from other departments within the College of Education or from another college at the University of Texas at Austin.
Dissertation (Minimum 6 hours)
Students are required to continuously register for at least three credits of dissertation once they have advanced to candidacy.
You must register in X99W (399, 699 or 999W) in each semester of candidacy until you graduate.
Please Note: Students receiving fellowships, assistantships, or other financial aid, may be required to take 9 hours of dissertation credit each semester.
Faculty
Focuses on historical and contemporary issues and discourses concerning African American students in schools and society.
Accepting new students
Researches civic education, early childhood/elementary education, and teacher education to examine the role of relationships, community, and justice to make classrooms democratic and equitable spaces.
Dr. Salinas is a member of the Social Studies Education program area and is an affiliate faculty member in the Bilingual/Bicultural and the Cultural Studies in Education program areas. Her focus in the social studies includes critical historical inqu...
Additional Information
The application opens in early August. Apply and check MyStatus for updates.
