Curent teachers (i.e., people who already have NYS Initial Teaching Certification in some area) interested in teaching Social Studies at grades 5-9 and/or 7-12 can choose among a number of different programs depending on:

a. whether they are interested in specializing in Middle Childhood (grades 5-9) and/or Adolescence (grades 7-12) or both AND

b. whether they are also seeking professional certification in their original area (in which case they need to pursue an M.S. program) or already have professional certification (in which case they may prefer to pursue a non-degree program option, as it is likely to involve less coursework and credits).

You can learn more about these various options from our Overview for Teachers Seeking Additional Certification in Social Studies

Or, you can directly check the program of study (including information about course and credit requirements, length of study, and sample course sequences for part- and full-time study) for a specific option from the list below.

Middle Childhood (MC), grades 5-9
Program (SH1). M.S. degree leading to NYS Initial + Professional Certification in Middle Childhood as specialist in social studies PLUS Professional Certification in original area
Credits: 32
Program of Study & Course Sequence SH1

Program (NH1) Non-degree program leading to NYS Initial + Professional Certification in Middle Childhood as specialist in social studies
Credits: varies
Program of Study & Course Sequence NH1

Adolescence (AD), grades 7-12
Program (SH2) M.S. degree leading to NYS Initial + Professional Certification in Adolescence as specialist in social studies PLUS Professional Certification in original area
Credits: 32
Program of Study & Course Sequence SH2

Program (NH2) Non-degree program leading to NYS Initial + Professional Certification in Adolescence as specialist in social studies
Credits: varies
Program of Study & Course Sequence NH2

Adolescence + 5-6 Extension (AD+), grades 5-12
Program (SH3) M.S. degree leading to NYS Initial + Professional Certification in Adolescence as specialist in social studies PLUS Extension to teach social studies in grades 5-6 PLUS Professional Certification in original area
Credits: 32
Program of Study & Course Sequence SH3