The Social Studies Education (SS ED) teaching option in the Secondary Education major helps students prepare to be middle- and high-school teachers who are qualified to teach all of the following subjects, grades 7-12:

• History
• Geography
• Civics & Government (Political Science)
• Economics
• Psychology
• Anthropology
• Sociology

Major Requirements

The SS ED program is a four-year undergraduate degree that requires 129 credits and leads to a bachelor of science (B.S.) in Secondary Education.

SS ED students typically take general education courses and meet Entrance to Major (ETM) requirements during their first two years and apply to the program during their 4th semester. The program also features approved courses that help meet all requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

All students in the Secondary Social Studies teaching option take 18 credits of coursework in History (equivalent to an academic minor). Students also complete a 15-credit concentration in their choice of Civics & Government (Political Science), Economics, Geography, Social Sciences (Anthropology/Psychology/Sociology), or Citizenship Education (more history plus flexible selections in the other subjects).

Relevant Links

• Checksheet
• Sample Semester Plan - Spring Student Teaching
• Sample Semester Plan - Fall Student Teaching
• Entrance to Major (ETM) Requirements
• Approved PDE Courses
• Teacher Certification
• Testing Requirements
• Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Transferring Credentials Through Reciprocity