History and Social Studies Education (BS)

BS History and Social Studies Education majors take a shared core of four History classes to build broad historical content knowledge and the key historical skills of research, analysis, and communication. 

Students in the BS History Option take five full History courses beyond the core, distributed across United States, European, and world history. Advanced historical study examines multiple dimensions of human society, both in the past and as they shape our world today. History Option students hone their abilities in intricate analysis, in-depth research, clear persuasive and narrative writing, speaking and discussion, and collaboration. Students activate these high-level skills in two Professional Applications courses, chosen from a range of disciplines, that count toward the major. Depending on requirements, up to half of a non-History minor or certificate may be completed within the major. The option’s career development sequence concludes with a 2-credit class that helps students synthesize and describe their college growth while sharpening career readiness tools.

Students who wish to pursue a teaching license choose the BS Social Studies Education (5-12) Option. Social studies courses prepare young learners for college, career, and civic life. Future social studies educators must be prepared to think deeply, critically, and adaptively about historic and current events to support their students’ understanding of a complex and ever-changing world. This option can be broken down into three themes: history, social sciences, and pedagogy. Students take the core history courses in the major and at least one other upper-level history course. Students take lower and upper-level courses in Political Science, Economics, Geography, and the behavioral sciences such as Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology. Woven through each year in the program, students take courses in teaching methods, child development, special education, and the professionalism expected of teachers. Students work directly in schools every year and, during their last semester, they participate in a full-time teaching internship. For more information about accreditation, interstate reciprocity, and licensure requirements, see the Holmes Center for School Partnerships and Educator Preparation section of this catalog or consult the program coordinator.

Social Studies Education (5-12) Option

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Groups A, B, and C courses require a minimum grade of C in the SSE Option. HI Major Requirements are considered part of Group B.

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SSE courses in Group A should be taken in sequence. 

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A minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA, C minimum in Groups A/B courses, and passed Praxis Core are requisite to entry into SSE 3550 and 4550.

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A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, C minimum in Groups A/B courses, and passed Praxis II are requisite to entry in SSE 4630 and SSE 4640.

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.  For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.  Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).

History Option

Social Studies Education (5-12)

Students will be able to:

• locate historical and scholarly sources using electronic and print media;
• analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources;
• communicate effectively through polished narrative, persuasive, and analytical writing and presentations;
• identify the significance of key ideas and issues, periods and people, events and movements in world history;
• identify the significance of key ideas and issues, periods and people, events and movements in European history;
• identify the significance of key ideas and issues, periods and people, events and movements in United States history;
• demonstrate an understanding of the range of careers and contributions beyond the classroom that draw on the skills and knowledge developed through historical study.