Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education - Social Studies

at MSM Group - University of Missouri-St. Louis USA

The BS in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in TESOL, increases competency and confidence in integrating the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing into academic teaching for English language learners. TESOL courses cover general linguistics, second/foreign language acquisition principles, cross-cultural communication theories and practices, assessments with coping strategies and developing and implementing instructional materials with reflection. The instructional design for each TESOL course includes exploring students’ backgrounds and determining desired results using assessment strategies, enacting with or presenting the interactive activities with explicit language targets and expanding inquiry with guided reflection.

The BES, with an emphasis in Early Childhood, is perfect for students excited about education, but looking for challenges outside a traditional classroom. The BES will prepare you for a career as an educator in agencies and institutions that emphasize informal learning in different settings. This degree is designed to be a creative, flexible, and inter-disciplinary bachelor’s degree that emphasizes practical skills in multiple settings.

Students gain skill and insights that can be applied to roles as educators, managers and directors, program planners and curriculum developers. This degree program does not lead to Missouri teacher certification.

Outcomes and Career Outlook

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able apply a unique understanding of social justice by addressing institutional and social barriers that limit access, equity and achievement; conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner that views failure as an opportunity to learn; apply reasoning and critical thinking while making connections among information, data and arguments to synthesize and interpret information; apply unique leadership, management and communication skills using oral, written, nonverbal and visual communication skills in a variety of formats and contexts; apply knowledge and skills to effectively manage early childhood programs; and demonstrate a unique application of best practices when teaching young children.

The Master of Arts in Political Science is a general post-baccalaureate degree that gives students a broad understanding of political science and a firm grounding in scientific-based inquiry into problems in politics.

Students learn how institutional design and economic and cultural factors shape the distribution of power and patterns of cooperation and conflict in society within and outside of government.

Students master the postulating of cause-effect relationships, and the marshalling of evidence using quantitative or qualitative methods to test hypotheses about problems in politics.

Students learn their skills through intensive study of several fields within the discipline. In the general program it is possible to specialize in urban politics, policy processes and institutions, American political behavior, political economy, public administration, comparative politics, international relations, public law, and political theory. The Master of Arts is useful for students who are already in or planning on a career in secondary education, public policy, or politics. It is also useful for students who are considering doctoral education. It is particularly valuable for students simply interested in learning more about subjects that interest them.

The Psychological Sciences Department offers a master's (M.A.) degree with an emphasis in Behavioral Neuroscience (BN). The BN program has adopted an apprenticeship model of graduate training in which each student works closely and continuously with a faculty member within the realm of the faculty member's research interests. In your personal statement, it is important that you indicate the faculty member(s) with whom you would like to work. The research interests of the core faculty may be found on the Faculty page.

The BS in Sport Management is an interdisciplinary, professional degree program that prepares students for a wide array of sport-related careers. The curriculum provides a balance between the educational-community athletics and the business aspects of sport and includes required courses in management and organizational behavior, marketing, sports psychology, sport management and administration, legal and ethical issues in sports, and educational and community athletics in addition to an internship. Degree plans can be customized via choices of electives, internships and complementary minors (e.g., athletic coaching, communication, exercise science, media studies, marketing, business and finance).

An MPPA from UMSL can help you change your community and the world by teaching you the skills needed to become an effective leader in the government and nonprofit sectors. Our graduates include city administrators, community development specialists, nonprofit executive directors, and directors of development.

As a NASPAA-accredited program, UMSL's MPPA is ranked in the top third of graduate public affairs programs by US News and World Report and is the highest ranked in St. Louis. The MPPA is a 40-credit-hour program led by 16 core faculty and adjunct instructors who are committed to your success. To fit your busy schedule, our courses are generally held in the evening or on the weekends and our program offers competitive tuition rates, internships and financial aid.

The Entrepreneurship emphasis is an option in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program. Throughout the program, students will develop skills in financial and managerial accounting, information systems concepts, business analytics and statistics, supply chain management, management and organizational behavior, marketing, strategic management and more.

Our students are given the tools to become successful entrepreneurs and innovators based on next generation processes including mindset, design and agile thinking. Students benefit from hands-on experiences, exclusive entrepreneurial internships, courses led by faculty with proven records of real-world success, and opportunities to compete for funding new ideas, ventures and startups.

A degree in entrepreneurship at UMSL is a degree from our internationally recognized College of Business Administration, ranked among the top 2% of business schools in the world thanks to our dual AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting. St. Louis has one of the most thriving entrepreneurship communities in the U.S. In fact, Forbes named us among the “Top 10 Rising Cities for Startups.” No other university is better connected to that community than UMSL. UMSL has UMSL Accelerate, a first-of-its kind entrepreneurial resource that offers hands-on experience through exclusive partnerships with Ameren Accelerator, Capital Innovators and other entrepreneurial giants.

As you can imagine, salaries for entrepreneurship majors vary, and there are a wide range of potential outcomes. Some graduates aspire to start their own business venture, some the CEO’s of large corporations, and still others may seek fulfilling opportunities leading teams within smaller organizations. All of which have a range of salaries and income streams. While various outcomes are based on individual goals and career aspirations, entrepreneurship majors develop the knowledge, skills and tenacity that make them strong leaders in any capacity.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science is a general post-baccalaureate degree that gives students a broad understanding of political science through intensive study of several subfields within the discipline. The Department’s Master’s program is also designed to give students a firm grounding in scientific-based inquiry into problems in politics. Students learn how institutional design, economic and cultural factors shape the distribution of power and patterns of cooperation and conflict in society within and outside of government. The M.A. degree in Political Science allows students to develop a deeper understanding of political ideas and institutions, more sophisticated research skills, a better grasp of governments abroad, and a broader knowledge of international politics.

The master’s degree in Secondary Education is an accredited program appropriate for secondary teachers, specialists, department chairpersons, and those who work in informal learning or international educational settings. Candidates choose electives that will support their personal growth and development as an educational leader to impact the communities with which they work.

Diverse candidates will engage in a learner-centered environment committed to the success of historically marginalized and diverse students, research, and community engagement. Within diverse education settings, candidates will: advance pedagogical knowledge, recognize inequalities in educational opportunity, design differentiated assessments to inform practice, critically examine professional practice, and demonstrate commitment to ethical professional practice.  

It is important that both candidates and advisors plan ahead to ensure courses are taken when they are offered in the schedule. Programs must be planned with an academic advisor and meet the approval of the faculty advisor, adhering to the College of Education and UMSL Graduate School policies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Continually and systematically reflect on professional growth to enhance student learning.
• Integrate technology to create meaningful student learning within the context of a global digital society.
• Apply advanced content and pedagogical knowledge to create authentic and deep learning experiences.
• Extend learning science principles to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum based on learning standards.
• Create and foster effective working relationships with students, school colleagues, families, and community members to enhance student learning and well-being.
• Design and establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment that nurtures the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
• Utilize equitable frameworks and inclusive practices to expertly create a variety of instructional and assessment opportunities adapted to diverse learners to encourage all students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

The BSBA, Information Systems & Technology Emphasis degree is a 120-credit-hour program that requires at least 48-credit hours be filled with business courses, of which a minimum of 21-credit hours need to be taken in Information Systems & Technology courses. The program is offered three ways: in-person; fully online; and in a hybrid format.

The core business classes include financial and managerial accounting, legal environment of business, information systems concepts, business analytics and statistics, supply chain management, financial management, management and organizational behavior, marketing, and strategic management. Once you’ve completed required courses, you can customize your degree with business electives, even selecting a minor, if you choose.