Secondary Education Social Studies, BA

Secondary Education Major

The Division of Education offers secondary education degrees and certification in the following areas of concentration: biology, chemistry, earth and space science, social studies, English, and mathematics. In addition, students who are completing certification requirements in one of the science programs may choose to add certification requirements in general science without any additional coursework. Students who complete all of their specific program’s requirements, meet graduation requirements, and pass all required certification tests will be certified in Pennsylvania to teach their program content in grades 7-12. Certification requirements vary in other states, but Pennsylvania certification typically is accepted by most states for initial employment. Prospective undergraduate students and post baccalaureate students seeking certification only may find the most current information on each program’s course requirements in the Division’s Program Handbook.

The following is a summarized description of each secondary education program’s requirements.

Concentration in Social Studies (136-138 credits)

Completion of this program certifies graduates to teach anthropology, history, geography, political science, sociology, psychology, and economics to grades 7-12. (Students choose one of three strands: geography, history, or political science.)