Best Social Studies Teacher Education Programs

Recent graduates with a bachelor’s in social studies teacher education start their career as a middle or high school teacher. This position lets them gain experience and explore career paths within the education field.

Professionals who do not return to school to earn a master’s or doctorate in education may advance their career by researching positions in another field. Former teachers may work as a social and community service manager. This role lets them use their teaching background to create programs benefiting individuals and communities.

Related positions that include health education specialist may require some additional training. However, the profession’s emphasis on interpersonal and instructional skills makes it an appealing choice for former teachers.

Teachers and other education professionals take continuing education (CE) classes to keep up to date with the latest knowledge and best practices. States also require CE for licensure renewal. Tennessee educators, for example, must earn 60 CE points every renewal cycle by taking approved classes.

Other options to satisfy states’ CE requirements include taking college classes, such as earning a master’s or doctorate in education. Individuals with a master’s may work as a principal, district administrator, or instructional coordinator. Jobs for professionals with a doctorate include college president and school superintendent.

New educators with a bachelor’s in social studies teacher education work with administrators and peers to explore CE opportunities leading to career advancement.

The BLS reports that middle school teachers earned a median annual salary of $61,320, as of May 2021, approximately $16,000 more than the U.S. median salary for all U.S. workers. Middle school teachers in New York, California, and Massachusetts made more than their peers. However, these states feature some of the highest cost of living rates in the country.

High school teachers with a bachelor’s in social studies teacher education made a slightly higher median annual salary as of May 2021, $61,820. Those working for a public school earned approximately $7,000 more per year than their peers employed by a private school. High school teachers in California made the highest mean salary in the country, $94,600.

Social and community service managers made a median annual salary of $74,000, as of May 2021, approximately $13,000 more per year than the typical middle or high school teacher.

Other lucrative opportunities for professionals with a bachelor’s in social studies teacher education include intelligence analyst. These workers earn an average annual salary of $72,430, as of June 2022, according to Payscale. Some Central Intelligence Agency analyst careers requiring a bachelor’s degree pay more than $100,000 a year, as of July 2022.

Students earning an online bachelor’s in social studies teacher education work with a career counselor to explore lucrative positions in and outside of the education field. Doing so helps them develop a long-term career plan.