Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education
Learn to engage students in the study of civics, economics, geography, and history, and equip students to make informed opinions that promote the common good.
About This Program
What are the hallmarks of democracy, and what threatens it? What causes do the Great Depression and the 2008 Financial Crisis share? How will AI reshape jobs and the greater economy? These are just a few of the questions that might interest a social studies education major.
Our world grows more economically and culturally interdependent every day. A rich social studies background can help students gain a better understanding of the world, allowing past events and patterns to illuminate the present.
The B.A.Ed. in Secondary Social Studies Education is a minimum 122 semester hours program that includes 51 hours in history and related fields. The degree program is approved for grades 7-12 licensure in secondary social studies.
There are three phases for education majors: Phase I: Core Curriculum; Phase II: Teacher Education Program; and Phase III: Student Teaching. For more information go to the SAFE admission page.
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Program Information
Program Type
Major
Area of Study
Education
School
Duration
4 years
Degree
B.A.Ed. in Social Studies Education
Required Credit Hours
122
B.A.Ed. in Secondary Social Studies Education
To complete a B.A.Ed. in Social Studies Education requires the following courses for a total of 122 hours.
To complete the B.A.Ed. in Social Studies Education, students must complete:
- 6 hours of First Year Writing courses
- 9 hours of Social/ Behavioral Science courses
- 15-18 hours of Math/Science courses
- 12 hours of Humanities/Fine Arts courses
- 18 hours of a Related Area courses
- 33 hours of Major Requirements for Content Area courses
- 30 hours of Professional Education courses
- 6 hours of Elective Area courses
First Year Writing (6)
- WRIT 101, WRIT 100, OR HON 101
- WRIT 102, LIBA 102, OR HON 102
Social/Behavioral Science (9)
- PSY 201
- HST (100 level suggested)
- HST (100 level suggested)
Math/ Science (15-18)
- MATH 121- College Algebra or higher (not to include MATH 245 or 246)
- Physical Science w/ lab (Please refer to the degree plan for more information)
- Biological Science w/ lab (BISC 110 suggested)
- Science Elective (lab not required) (please refer to the degree plan for more information)
- Math or Science Elective (not to include MATH 245 or 246)
Humanities/Fine Arts (12)
- ENG (220-226)
- ENG (220-226)
- Fine Arts (AH 101, 102, 201, 202; DANC 200; MUS 102, 103; THEA 201)
- Humanities Elective (please refer to the degree plan for more information)
Related Area (18)
- ECON 202 Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON 203 Principles of Macroeconomics
- GEOG 101 Introduction to Geography
- POL 101 Introduction to American Politics
- POL 102 Introduction to Comparative Politics OR POL 316 State/Local Government & Policy
- SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology I
Major Requirements for Content Area (33)
- HST 120 Intro to European History 1648
- HST 121 Intro to European History since 1648
- HST 130 Intro to US History to 1877
- HST 131 Intro to US History Since 1877
- HST 452 The History of Mississippi
- History Elective (300 level or above)
- African or African American History (300 level or above)
- Asian History (300 level or above)
- European History (300 level or above)
- Latin American History (300 level or above)
- HST 498 Undergrad Research Seminar in History
Professional Education Requirements (30)
- EDSP 308 Introduction to Special Education
- EDCI 352 Education, Society & the K-12 Learner*
- EDSP 327 Classroom Management and Behavior Interventions
- EDCI 353 Planning & Teaching Strategies for Effective Classroom Practice*
- EDSE 400 Principles of Education
- EDSE 447 Special Methods: Social Studies
- EDLE 480 Student Teaching: Secondary Education*
- EDCI 419 Classroom Assessment
*Denotes all courses that contain field experience.
Electives Areas (6)
Students are expected to take six hours of electives.
Admission to Phase II of the Teacher Education Program
To be admitted to Phase II students must:
- Complete the core curriculum and EDCI 352 (minimum grade "C")
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 on Core
- Appropriate Praxis Core, SAT, or ACT scores OR overall 3.0 GPA on 60+ hours
- Must complete education courses with a "C" or better
Applicants to the program must meet these requirements:
- 2.5 grade point average (entry admission for transfer students and change of major)
- 2.75 grade point average (admission for Phase II: Teacher Education Program) and appropriate scores on either the ACT, SAT or Praxis CORE* (link to Phase II information is posted above under Program Description)
*Praxis Core Exemption: Students are exempt from taking the Praxis CORE exam for admission to Phase II if they:
- Provide proof of an ACT score of at least a 21 composite (or SAT equivalent; View the SAT Equivalency Scoring sheet for more information) OR
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a minimum of 60 hours of completed coursework
Yearlong Internship and Senior Practicum
All teacher education candidates in the elementary, health and physical education, secondary, and special education programs are placed in one location during the senior year.
- The yearlong internship consists of senior practicum and student teaching.
- Candidates are paired with the same Clinical Instructor for the entire senior year.
All senior yearlong placements are overseen by a Uuniversity Ssupervisor and are based on the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium Standards (InTASC) and Special Professional Association (SPA) Standards.
Candidates must take additional Praxis exams to qualify for licensure in Mississippi. Once licensed, candidates will be highly qualified to teach their emphasis subject grades 7-12.
Candidates may also qualify for additional add-on endorsements through coursework or Praxis II exams. For information on seeking licensure outside Mississippi, please review the Certification information.
We're here to help!
If you have any questions about the Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education don't hesitate to reach out. We're always happy to help!
Ellen Foster
Professor of Teacher Education
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