Social Studies Area with Teacher Certification (Secondary) – Bachelor of Arts

The area in social studies prepares students for teacher certification at the secondary level (grades 8 through 12) in at least four social studies teaching fields. There is no non-teaching program. This program aligns with trends in teacher certification that foster streamlining of certification requirements and procedures. A minimum of nine credit hours in a teaching field is required for certification in Kentucky. This program consists of 60 credit hours in history and related social sciences. Students should work closely with an advisor to receive approval for the exact content of their program of study in this area.

Program Competencies

Students are expected to possess:

  1. The capacity to teach at the secondary level in at least three social studies disciplines, including history.
  2. Awareness of the social, political and economic systems that comprise contemporary societies as well as the growing interdependencies between societies as mediated by a global economy and shared concern for the physical environment.
  3. The ability to integrate and synthesize knowledge across disciplinary boundaries in order to accumulate realistic understanding of global, national and local issues.
  4. The ability to recognize and value the varied nature of the human condition across individuals and culture groups through the practice of social/historical analysis.
  5. The ability to express methods of social science investigation, conduct original studies and present findings of those investigations in written and oral format.
  6. The ability to assess and use electronic databases, information sites and various online resources, and to use various instructional and presentation programs.

Assessment

  1. National Teachers Examination (PRAXIS)
  2. Performance during professional semester
  3. Capstone Course

Program Requirements

General Education

EDSE 499DTeaching Social Studies*

3

Total Credit Hours:36

EDSE 499D: Offered fall semesters only; must be completed prior to professional semester.

Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University.

Area Requirements

Social Studies Requirements

HST 260American History to 1865

3

HST 261American History since 1865

3

HST 271World History since 1500

3

HST 300Practicing History

3

HST 301-306 or HST 351 or HST 352(choose one)

3

HST 312-320 or HST 372(choose one)

3

HST 321-326 or HST 311 or HST 375(choose one)

3

HST 342-347 or HST 349(choose one)

3

EDSE 451Curriculum and Instruction for Social Studies*

3

Total Credit Hours:27

HST 300 will satisfy the GOVT 289 prerequisite for advanced courses in government (applies to social studies students only).

EDSE 451: Offered fall semesters only; must be completed prior to professional semester.

Geography
GEO 103Physical Geography

3

GEO 201Map Interpretation and Analysis

3

GEO 300World Geography

3

GEO Six-hours electives

6

Total Credit Hours:15
Government
GOVT 141United States Government

3

 

GOVT 180Introduction to Political Theory

3

or

GOVT 242State and Local Government

3

or

GOVT 230Introduction to Comparative Politics

3

 

GOVT 300-349(choose one)

3

GOVT 360-368(choose one)

3

Total Credit Hours:12
Economics
ECON 101Introduction to Economics

3

 

ECON 201Principles of Macroeconomics

3

or

ECON 202Principles of Microeconomics

3

Total Credit Hours:6

Professional Education Requirements

EDF 207Foundations of Education

3

EDF 211Human Growth and Development

3

EDSP 230Education of Exceptional Children

3

EDF 311Learning Theories, Assessment and Diversity*

3

EDSE 312Educational Methods and Technology*

3

EDSE 483Classroom Organization and Management for Secondary Teachers*

3

EDSE 416Clinical Practice*

12

Total Credit Hours:30

Note: Refer to the College of Education for information on application to the Teacher Education Program and application for Clinical Practice.

Total Credit Hours: 126