BA in Anthropology / EdM in Social Studies Education
Study humanity and prepare to teach the next generation
The combined BA in Anthropology and EdM in Social Studies Education is designed for students who want to teach adolescents while developing a deep understanding of people, cultures and societies. This five-year pathway blends anthropological study with professional teacher preparation and leads to eligibility for New York State social studies certification. You will graduate ready for the classroom with strong content knowledge and extensive teaching experience.
This program is a strong fit if you are drawn to education and want a rich social science foundation grounded in anthropology.
At UB, you will:
- Study anthropology and education in an integrated, intentional sequence
- Build a strong foundation in cultural, biological and archaeological perspectives
- Gain classroom experience through field placements and supervised teaching
- Prepare for adolescent social studies teaching certification
- Receive advising support from both the Department of Anthropology and the Office of Educator Preparation
UB’s size and resources allow you to gain hands-on teaching experience while still benefiting from small, discussion-based anthropology courses.
The UB Teach social sciences education program is designed as a clear and supportive pathway from undergraduate study to graduate-level teacher preparation.
Students may enter the program in different ways:
- First-year students may apply to UB and declare the UB Teach BA in Anthropology/EdM in Social Sciences Education on their application.
- Current UB students and transfer students may request to change or transfer into the program through the appropriate major change process.
All students begin by completing the undergraduate portion of the program, where they build a strong foundation in anthropology and early teaching experiences.
After completing required undergraduate coursework and meeting the academic criteria outlined in the Academic Requirements section of the course catalog, eligible students progress into the graduate portion of the program, where they complete the EdM in Social Sciences Education and a full-year teaching residency.
This structure ensures you graduate with:
- Deep preparation in anthropology and social sciences
- Extensive classroom and clinical teaching experience
- Readiness for New York State social sciences education certification
- Integrated five-year pathway: Earn a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a master’s degree in education in a structured sequence.
- Strong content preparation: Anthropology coursework builds global awareness, cultural understanding and analytical skills essential for social studies educators.
- Early and sustained field experience: Education coursework includes classroom observation, field placements and supervised teaching.
- Advising and support: Students meet regularly with both an anthropology advisor and an education advisor to ensure timely progress and certification readiness.
- Honors and distinction: Students may earn Honors in Anthropology by completing a two-semester research project and meeting GPA requirements. Eligible students may also earn Program Distinction, which is noted on the official transcript.
Program at a glance
- Degrees: Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education
- Time to complete: Five years
- Format: On campus with some online coursework
- Certification: New York State social studies education
- Grade levels: 7 to 12, with grades 5 to 6 extension
Progression requirements must be completed by March of the junior year. No separate graduate school application is required.
You will explore human cultures past and present, learn how adolescents think and learn and gain extensive classroom experience. Throughout the program, you will work closely with advisors in anthropology and education to plan your coursework and teaching experiences.
Along the way, you will:
- Study human societies to better understand the world students live in
- Engage in clinical education experiences in diverse Western New York schools
- Develop confidence through evidence-based practice and co-teaching in a year-long residency
- Build skills in both anthropological inquiry and effective social studies instruction
You might take courses such as “People of Sub-Saharan Africa,” “Middle Childhood and Adolescent Literacy Methods” and “Teaching Social Studies in Grades 5 to 12.”
Students in this combined program develop both disciplinary knowledge and professional teaching skills.
You will learn to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of core concepts, theories and methods in cultural anthropology, biological anthropology and or archaeological anthropology
- Understand and interpret the diversity and complexity of human experience
- Develop global awareness and understanding of cultures across time and place
- Design and conduct research by posing questions, gathering evidence, analyzing sources and constructing arguments
- Think critically and evaluate information thoughtfully
- Communicate effectively in writing by expressing ideas and supporting them with evidence
- Present research clearly and meaningfully in oral formats
These outcomes support success in the classroom, graduate study and careers that value communication and cultural understanding.
Graduates of UB Teach social sciences education are prepared for teaching and related roles both inside and beyond the classroom.
Common paths include:
- Social Studies Teacher
- Museum Curator
- Historic Site Administrator
- Wildlife Program Coordinator
If you want to teach social studies and build a deep understanding of human cultures, this combined program offers a clear and well supported path. You will graduate prepared for the classroom and equipped with skills that last beyond your first teaching job.
Have questions about the BA in Anthropology/EdM in Social Studies Education? We are happy to help you plan your path.
