Adolescent Social Studies - MA / Advanced Certificate

Admission Requirements

Master’s Degree

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0.
2. 30 credits of concentrated study in one of the areas of social studies (history, political science, geography, or economics) with a GPA of 3.0, including at least 12 credits in history, 3 credits in geography, 3 credits in political science, and 3 credits in economics. The course work in history must include at least one course in each of the following areas: U.S. history, European history, and world or non-Western history.
3. General education core in the liberal arts and sciences to include: artistic expression; communication; information retrieval; concepts in history and social sciences; humanities; a language other than English; scientific and mathematical processes; and written analysis and expression.
4. Two professional references.
5. A personal statement.
6. Submission of official score report on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), except applicants who are certified teachers or school administrators and hold a graduate degree.

Advanced Certificate

1. An undergraduate major of at least 30 credits in one of the areas of social studies, and a master’s degree in the discipline (history, political science, geography, or economics) with a GPA of at least 3.3 from an accredited institution. Coursework at either the undergraduate or graduate level must include 21 credits of history, 3 credits in geography, 3 credits in political science and 3 credits in economics. The coursework in history must include at least one course in each of the following areas: U.S. history, European history, and world or non-Western history.
2. General education core in the liberal arts and sciences to include: artistic expression; communication; information retrieval; concepts in history and social sciences; humanities; a language other than English; scientific and mathematical processes; and written analysis and expression.
3. Two professional references.
4. A personal statement.
5. Submission of official score report on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), except applicants who are certified teachers or school administrators and hold a graduate degree.

Progress Standards

1. Minimum GPA for Retention - Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain at Hunter College. Students whose grades fall below this standard are required to raise their GPAs to at least 3.0 within one semester.
2. No F in the first two semesters—students who receive a grade of F or WU in any course in the first two semesters will not be allowed to continue in the program.
3. Progress holds due to Incomplete Grades - Students with two or more INCs will not be allowed to register for any courses.
4. Key Course Performance Standards

   • Students must receive a grade of at least a B in key program courses. 

   • Students who receive a grade of F or WU in key program courses may not continue in the program. 

   • Key Program Courses are identified by the label (KC) in the course title.

Course of Study

Academic Plans

• Master’s Degree: SOCSTAE-MA
• Advanced Certificate: SSTAE-AC

Total Credits

• SOCSTAE-MA: 44-45
• SSTAE-AC: 26-27

Exit Requirements

1. An overall GPA of 3.0.
2. Master’s degree students will develop a professional teaching portfolio, which is a cumulative effort, integrating course and fieldwork throughout the program.
3. Complete the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) workshop.