Are you passionate about politics, history, and culture? If so, earning one the 5 Best Online Master's Degrees in Social Studies could be the right choice for you.
While earning a Master's degree is not necessary to become a teacher in K-12 education in the United States, it undoubtedly improves the odds of receiving competitive pay and employment opportunities. Earning a Master's degree in Social Studies or Teaching will also prepare grad students to take on more administrative roles in the school system, such as designing curriculum or overseeing programs.
Most school districts also require that teachers participate in ongoing education, where earning a Master's degree would put those required credits at more beneficial use. The Center for American Progress conducted a survey and found that those teaching with a masters degree rather than a solitary bachelor's earned on average $3,000-$10,000 more in each state of the US.
Selection Criteria
Best Value Schools went through the trouble of finding the best possible online degrees for Social Studies enthusiasts because, why would you settle for less? When planning for the future, every student's career outcome is largely dependent on the quality of education they received. The better the quality, the more qualified students can be to take on more competitive job opportunities.
Pursuing an online Master's in Social Studies will not only give candidates a more competitive edge upon entering the teaching workforce, but it will better the abilities, skills, and chance for growth in those already in the professional field. Students will learn more integrative and interdisciplinary ways of teaching Social Studies, including in-depth courses dedicated to the pedagogy of the discipline. Obtaining a masters in Social Studies will put teachers at an advantage in both their teaching skills and professional growth.
Ranking Factors
In order to rank the 5 Best Online Master's Degrees in Social Studies, several online degrees were examined with attendance costs, university reputation, and future job prospects in mind. More specifically, BVS ranked each of the 10 online degrees based on:
Affordability
Academic Standards
University Reputation
Post-graduate Job Outcomes
Student Satisfaction
For more information on how Best Value Schools ranks every degree, check out our methodology page.
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.


