Converse’s teacher preparation programs comprise a wide diversity of field and clinical experiences in public schools. Our program prepares you to become an effective teacher with an in-depth knowledge base of your field and appropriate teaching strategies for the developmental level of your students, guided by our faculty who continually challenge students to integrate theory with practice.
Converse’s state-approved Master of Arts in Social Studies (MAT) will help you become a highly qualified, certified social studies teacher at the middle or secondary level. Our Master of Arts in Teaching is designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education.
Converse’s Master of Arts in Teaching program will equip you with an in-depth knowledge base of your field and appropriate teaching strategies for the developmental level of your students. After completing certification requirements you will be certified to teach in Grades 5-8 (Middle Level) or grades 9-12 (Secondary Level).
Degrees Offered
- MAT in Middle Level Social Studies
- MAT in Secondary Level Social Studies
Program Goals
Our long-term goal is to develop cultural characteristics and school practices that reflect the needs of the middle school & secondary students and the middle or secondary school philosophy.
Preparing candidates in a thorough understanding of these characteristics and what they look like in a real school setting will make our candidates uniquely prepared to teach in a middle or secondary level school.
Learning Outcomes
Converse candidates who complete a this education program in social studies will be able to:
- Demonstrate their knowledge of the content in this field;
- Plan, implement and assess instruction in simulated settings and in real classroom settings;
- Organize and manage effectively a middle or secondary grade placement in the public schools; and
- Demonstrate computer proficiency in instructional technology including the knowledge of skills, strategies, software and hardware to be used in classroom management and computer-assisted instruction.
Applicants must have the following:
- Graduation from an accredited college;
- Overall GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for full admission;
- A major undergraduate program appropriate for the requested teaching area;
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
Visit the graduate catalog for detailed admission requirements.
For consideration of admission, the applicant should have the following credentials:
- A completed online application, including the $40 application fee
- Official degree-granting undergraduate transcript and graduate transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Two letters of recommendation
- A personal statement – Converse’s founder, Dexter Edgar Converse, held the ideal that Converse students “may be enabled to see clearly, decide wisely, and to act justly.” Please write a personal statement, approximately 250-300 words in length, on how your personal goals as an educator tie with the Converse concept of The “Ideal” Educator. In keeping with the Honor Tradition at Converse, your essay must be entirely your own work. Please be specific on how Converse can help you become the “Ideal” Educator, taking special care to organize your essay clearly and proofread your work. The personal statement should be submitted as a part of the application or emailed to the Office of Graduate Admission.
Converse’s goal is to develop teachers with the cultural characteristics and school practices that reflect the needs and philosophy for the middle or secondary school students. Upon completion of the Middle Level or the Secondary Level Education program in Social Studies at Converse you will be able to:
- Provide a thorough course of study in human growth and development;
- Develop skills in appropriate pedagogy and classroom management;
- Promote a broad knowledge of the history, theory, and professional practices promote a broad knowledge of the history, theory, and professional practices that are related to early childhood education;
- Demonstrate computer proficiency in instructional technology including the knowledge of skills, strategies, software and hardware to be used in classroom management and computer-assisted instruction;
- Plan, implement and assess instruction in simulated settings and in real classroom settings as a student teacher*;
- Organize and effectively manage a pre-kindergarten through third grade placement in the public schools.
*The PRAXIS II exam is taken by students before the completion of student teaching.
All of the courses in the MAT in Social Studies Program are designed to develop, improve, and continually upgrade the process in which our candidates seek to improve on ways they can develop knowledge of their students and their fields.
These courses are designed to keep their students engaged in learning, to provide a caring and challenging environment, to use a variety of texts to promote opportunities to learn acceptance and appreciation of others, to continue to develop instructional resources, to set attainable and worthwhile learning goals for students, and to develop meaningful learning opportunities for their students. A component for self-reflection and growth is included in each of the core courses as well as the content area courses.
Master of Arts in Teaching Middle Level Social Studies
The MAT in Middle Level Social Studies has a minimum of 45 graduate semester hours. The program will consist of 36 hours in Professional Education and 9 to 18 hours in content area courses. The number of content hours required may vary depending on your post-secondary academic background. Those coming from backgrounds other than mathematics will need to take more content area courses to develop expertise in that specific area. The candidate must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in content area courses as well as a 3.0 GPA in overall program coursework.
Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Level Social Studies
The candidate in Social Studies at the secondary level (grades 9-12) must have already completed a major in Social Studies. The MAT in Secondary Level Social Studies candidate will complete 48-51 graduate semester hours. In addition, candidates must complete hours in professional education and psychology. The candidate must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in content area courses as well as a 3.0 GPA in overall program coursework.
Additional Details
See our graduate tuition and fees here.*
*Tuition and fees subject to change
Learn about Financial Aid opportunities
More reasons to choose Converse:
Veteran Faculty: Our faculty have extensive experience in public education as teachers, administrators, or special consultants.
Quality Education: Our curriculum is aligned with professional standards and meets all the requirements for national approvals by the Council for Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP), approved by the South Carolina Department of Education. You will be qualified for certification reciprocity with many other states.
Community Partnerships: We enjoy close proximity to and partnerships with local public schools enabling you to have diverse experiences in a variety of schools while introducing you to a broad spectrum of student populations and work opportunities. These partnerships place social studies teacher candidates with master teachers for clinical and student teaching placements.
Clinical Experiences: The teacher education curriculum at Converse includes sequential clinical experiences in public school settings. You will complete at least two of these clinical experiences prior to student teaching. You may elect to participate in the One-to-One teacher program in which you will stay with your mentor teacher for the entire school year, completing clinical placements in the fall and January and student teaching in the spring semester.
Convenience: Flexibility is essential for students who manage busy work schedules and personal commitments. Most required courses are conducted after 4 p.m., accommodating students’ busy schedules. We work with students one-on-one to accommodate your specific needs, allowing you to balance work life, personal life and school.
Degree Prestige and Value: Since 1890, Converse has provided students with education rooted in the liberal arts. Converse graduates are principled and productive citizens capable of creative thinking and problem-solving.
Beyond the Classroom
MAT Alumna Publishes Novel
Shelvie “Elie” Hart ’21 (MAT Middle-Level Language Arts) has published a novel under the pseudonym Shelby Oval. Out of Embers and Shadows is Book 1 of the Shadowfire Series. Oval …
Dr. Gunter Receives Thomas A. Hatfield Lifetime Achievement Award
Congratulations to Dr. Susanne F. Gunter, Associate Professor of Art Education; Coordinator MEd Art Education & Converse Alternative Certification – Art Education (CACAE) programs. Dr. Gunter received the Thomas A. …
2025 Converse Emerging Young Artists Juried Exhibition Accepting Entries
Converse’s Department of Art and Design will begin accepting online entries for the 2025 Emerging Young Artists Juried Exhibition beginning December 1, 2024. High school students in grades 9-12 are invited …
The Graduate School
Converse is a nationally recognized and regionally accredited doctoral university.
Office of the Dean
Lienne Medford
Dean of The Graduate School
864.596.9082
lienne.medford@converse.edu
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