Three students sitting outside studying.

Social Studies

The Social Studies program encompasses a broad range of social science disciplines, including anthropology, economics, ethnic studies, gender and women's studies, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The teaching track prepares students to become licensed grade 5-12 social studies teachers and works with the College of Education to promote effective teaching practice.

Careers in Social Studies

A bachelor's degree in social studies can teach you foundational knowledge and qualify you for a variety of jobs in many industries. Social Studies Teaching prepares students to teach social studies in secondary schools.
  • Curriculum Development
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Debate Coach
  • Education Policy
  • Educational Sales
  • High School/Middle School Teacher

Potential Salary

Median Salary $78,280

The median annual wage for Life, Physical, and Social Science occupations in May 2023 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Social Studies Degrees at MSU

Social Studies, Bachelor of Science–Anthropology

The Social Studies (non-teaching) program is designed for students to explore a wide range of social science disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to study various areas of social studies while focusing on anthropology.

Social Studies, Bachelor of Science–Economics

The Social Studies (non-teaching) program is designed for students to explore a wide range of social science disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to study various areas of social studies while focusing on economics.

Social Studies, Bachelor of Science–Ethnic Studies

The Social Studies (non-teaching) program is designed for students to explore a wide range of social science disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to study various areas of social studies while focusing on ethnic studies.

Social Studies, Bachelor of Science–Gender Women's Studies 

The Social Studies (non-teaching) program is designed for students to explore a wide range of social science disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to study various areas of social studies while focusing on social studies.

Social Studies, Bachelor of Science–Geography 

The Social Studies (non-teaching) program is designed for students to explore a wide range of social science disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to study various areas of social studies while focusing on geography.

Social Studies, Bachelor of Science–History

The Social Studies (non-teaching) program is designed for students to explore a wide range of social science disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to study various areas of social studies while focusing on history.  

Social Studies, Bachelor of Science–Political Science

The Social Studies (non-teaching) program is designed for students to explore a wide range of social science disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to study various areas of social studies while focusing on political science.

Social Studies, Bachelor of Science–Psychology

The Social Studies (non-teaching) program is designed for students to explore a wide range of social science disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to study various areas of social studies while focusing on psychology.

Social Studies, Bachelor of Science–Sociology

The Social Studies (non-teaching) program is designed for students to explore a wide range of social science disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to study various areas of social studies while focusing on sociology. 

Social Studies Teaching Degrees at MSU

Social Studies Teaching, Bachelor of Science–Anthropology

The Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Teaching prepares students to obtain a Minnesota teaching license and teach social studies in grades 5-12. The program prepares students to teach all of the areas of the social studies with a concentration in anthropology.

Social Studies Teaching, Bachelor of Science–Economics

The Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Teaching prepares students to obtain a Minnesota teaching license and teach social studies in grades 5-12. The program prepares students to teach all of the areas of the social studies with a concentration in economics.

Social Studies Teaching, Bachelor of Science–Geography

The Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Teaching prepares students to obtain a Minnesota teaching license and teach social studies in grades 5-12. The program prepares students to teach all of the areas of the social studies with a concentration in geography.

Social Studies Teaching, Bachelor of Science–History

The Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Teaching prepares students to obtain a Minnesota teaching license and teach social studies in grades 5-12. The program prepares students to teach all of the areas of the social studies with a concentration in history.

Social Studies Teaching, Bachelor of Science–Political Science

The Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Teaching prepares students to obtain a Minnesota teaching license and teach social studies in grades 5-12. The program prepares students to teach all of the areas of the social studies with a concentration in political science.

Social Studies Teaching, Bachelor of Science–Psychology

The Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Teaching prepares students to obtain a Minnesota teaching license and teach social studies in grades 5-12. The program prepares students to teach all of the areas of the social studies with a concentration in psychology.

Social Studies Teaching, Bachelor of Science–Sociology

The Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Teaching prepares students to obtain a Minnesota teaching license and teach social studies in grades 5-12. The program prepares students to teach all of the areas of the social studies with a concentration in sociology. 

Four people walking down a hallway having a conversation.

Teacher Institutes and Professional Development Opportunities

Social Studies Education majors at Minnesota State University, Mankato are the only college students in the U.S. eligible to attend prestigious teacher institutes and professional development events, including the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute, Belfer Conference at the U.S. Holocaust Museum, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Fort Ticonderoga Teacher Institute, LBJ Center Teachers’ Workshop, and the St. Louis Fed Summer AP Economics Workshop.

Related Programs

a person writing on a paper

History

The History program fosters diverse communities and multicultural connections while equipping students with critical analysis, information literacy, and writing skills for careers in various fields such as education, law, museums, public service, and more.

professor discussing geography with student at computer

Geography

Geography studies the interactions between people and our environment, and it uses cutting-edge geospatial technologies to solve real-world problems. Geospatial technologies provide students with skills in high demand in the workforce.

Teacher smiling at front of the classroom.

K-12 Teaching Programs

In collaboration with the Department of K-12 & Secondary Programs (KSP), Minnesota State University, Mankato's teaching content areas support licensure candidates in building the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to meet the needs of today's diverse K-12 learners and partner school districts. 

Man in a suite sitting my his computer smiling.

Interdisciplinary Studies

The History program  prepares students for the future by helping them understand how the past affects the present and develop critical thinking and rhetorical skills. Our graduates are poised to become leaders, teachers, lawyers and more.

Department of Social Studies

College of

Humanities and Social Sciences

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is an inclusive community of diverse learners seeking to examine, engage with and transform the social world while nurturing creativity and innovation. Our programs build a foundation of knowledge that adapts to a constantly changing society.

Learn More About the College of Humanities and Social Sciences