Social Studies Education

Social studies look at past cultures and how they have given rise to the society we participate in today. To look at social studies is to more closely examine the “social” relationships and functions within society. These studies can cover a wide range of areas, including civics, sociology, history, government, economics, and even geography.

It’s true that social studies and history, as educational areas, are often confused as being the same thing, but there are differences. History can best be thought of as one of the areas of study within social sciences or social studies. History offers a record of the events and people who helped shape the society we live in. Social studies, on the other hand, often examine why things happen. They are developed to help us better understand our shared responsibilities within society, thus the importance of civics, sociology, and government within social studies curriculum. 

There is, however, a lot of overlap. Professionals trained to teach history are often well-qualified for teaching jobs in social studies, civics, and other critical classes regarding society. Vice versa holds true, as well.

Simply put, to do better in the future, we must better understand how we, as a species, have developed and related in the past. That means we need to know our history and from where our societal norms come. Social studies can help us better engage in civic responsibility, understand each other’s culture, grasp economic situations and facts, hone critical-thinking and decision-making skills, appreciate the role and impact of politics in our lives, develop a respect for history, and just make sense of the world. 

Upon completing your degree program at University of the Cumberlands, you’ll be well prepared to pursue job opportunities as a high school teacher. Or, instead of jumping right into a history or social studies teacher job, continue your studies in graduate school to expand your career prospects outside of the classroom. After all, employers highly value the reasoning, analytical, and interpretive skills that you will develop as a history major. A few paths your career could take include:

• History teacher or social studies teacher (9-12)
• Post-secondary history professor
• Researcher for museums, educational institutes, business entities, or historical organizations
• Policy advisor for corporations, governments, or not-for-profit organizations
• Curator
• Education officer
• Post-graduate study in law
• Scholarly publishing/documentary editor
• Archivist

Yes! University of the Cumberlands' School of Education is accredited through Kentucky's Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB) and has national accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) at the initial-licensure level and advanced-level. UC’s School of Education has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement.

You will likely need to pass a state test for whichever state in which you hope to teach. Upon passing the exam, you should apply for a teaching license. Once you’ve obtained that, you can apply to open teaching positions!