MAT Social Science

Master of Arts in Teaching Social Science (5-12)

Leads to teacher licensure

Degree Overview

Become a social science teacher and earn your master’s degree online. The online social science master’s degree combines preparation for licensure as a middle school or high school social science teacher with coursework to earn a master’s degree. You will become a highly qualified social science teacher prepared to meet state and national teaching standards.

Who the program is for:

• Individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree (preferably in one of the social science disciplines), want to become a certified middle school or high school social science teacher, and earn a master’s degree.
• Unlicensed substitute teachers, career changers, retired military personnel, school paraprofessionals, and others with bachelor’s degrees who feel the call to teach.
• Individuals who can typically spend 15 or more hours per week on their studies.

This program requires a significant background in social science. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor to determine whether you have the sufficient background for entry into this program.

Note: WGU is the first exclusively online university to receive NCATE accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure, a testament to the fact that WGU graduates "have the knowledge and skills to be effective in helping all students learn."

This program will be flexible and adaptable to your schedule. Click here to learn more about how your program works.

What You’ll Learn -- Areas of Study:

In this online social science master’s degree, you’ll learn all the essential skills and knowledge needed. This program includes four domains of study, supervised practice teaching in an actual classroom, and completion of a capstone project.

• Effective Teaching Practices
• Foundations of Teaching
• Demonstration Teaching (includes practice teaching)
• Research Fundamentals

Total Program: 37 Competency Units (credit equivalents)

More details about your challenging course of study

View the Program Guide (PDF)

Answers to your questions
Click a question, see the answer below.

• Will I practice teach?
• How will I complete my degree?
• Is financial aid available?

Will I practice teach?

Yes, all WGU teacher licensure programs include practice teaching in real classrooms. This is part of your Demonstration Teaching domain of study. This is obviously not an online portion of your degree program. Exactly how your practice teaching occurs will depend on the specific school district in which you teach. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor who can explain this in more detail.

How will I complete my degree?

As a WGU student you will combine the knowledge you already possess with online courses and independent learning resources to prepare for rigorous assessments that measure your progress in the program. Together with your mentor, you will develop a Degree Plan based upon your personal strengths and weaknesses. You can learn more by exploring the WGU Experience. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor who can explain the program in more depth.

Is financial aid available?

Yes, WGU offers federal financial aid. Loans are available to most students, regardless of financial need, and grants that don’t requirement repayment are available for those with financial need. You can check into your financial aid eligibility at any time during the admissions process. Learn more from an Enrollment Counselor or visit the Financial Aid section of the website.