Secondary Education: Social Studies

Degree Conferred: Certification only

The Program

The certification program in Secondary Education Social Studies is designed for an individual who holds a baccalaureate degree and wants to become certified to teach Social Studies (history, geography, government, psychology, sociology, anthropology and/or economics) in Pennsylvania secondary schools (grades 7-12). The program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students who successfully complete the requirements will be recommended for the Secondary Social Studies: Instructional I teaching certifi cate. Course work is required in both behavioral sciences and education.

Admission Requirements

An applicant must present a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 credits (approximately) and shall have 6 credits in college level mathematics and 6 credits in college level English (3 credits composition and 3 credits literature).

Additionally, prospective students must successfully complete the three tests that comprise the Praxis I tests, published by the Educational Testing Service. Registration and testing information is available online.

An applicant whose native language is not English is required to submit acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A score of at least 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based), or a total score of 80 with a 20 on the speaking section (internet-based) is required. The test must have been taken within the last 5 years. The scores must be submitted before the application will be considered.

Application Process

Apply Online

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• a completed online application;
• two copies of official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended;
• passing scores on the Praxis I tests (reading, writing, and mathematics);
• an application fee.

Program Notes

A minimum grade of C is required in all courses for certification; however, a 3.0 grade-point average is required to be eligible for student teaching.

Other Questions

If you have additional questions, please contact Graduate Admissions, 717-948-6250, or the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education, 717-948-6213.

Program Requirements

The Social Studies certifi cation program requires students to take courses in various areas of the social and behavioral sciences, history, and education. All courses required for certifi cation, including an intensive fi eld experience, must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to student teaching. The program requirements listed below will assist students in planning a program of studies. Students should examine their undergraduate transcripts to determine which courses may have already been completed that would satisfy the listed requirements.

EDUCATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS (24 Credits Required)

• EDUC 313 FIELD OBSERVATION/PARTICIPATION (2)
• EDUC 314 LEARNING THEORY AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES (3). (EDUC 313 and 314 must be taken concurrently.)
• EDUC 315 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS IN EDUCATION (3). (Certification students must enroll in the section reserved for prospective secondary teachers.)
• EDUC 415 TEACHING SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES (3). (Offered during fall term only)
• EDUC 435 NEEDS OF SPECIAL LEARNERS (1)
• EDUC 490 STUDENT TEACHING (12). (EDUC 490 and EDUC 435 must be taken concurrently.)

SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Prescribed Courses (21 Credits)

• ECON 002 INTRODUCTORY MICROECONOMIC ANALYSIS (3)
• ECON 004 INTRODUCTORY MACROECONOMICS ANALYSIS (3)
• HIST 001 THE WESTERN HERITAGE I (3)
• HIST 020 AMERICAN CIVILIZATION TO 1877 (3)
• HIST 021 AMERICAN CIVILIZATION SINCE 1877 (3)
• PSYCH 100 PSYCHOLOGY (3)
• SOC 001 INTRODUCTORY SOCIOLOGY (3)

Breadth Courses-30 Credits Required

History (3 credits)

• HIST 012 WORLD HISTORY (3)
• C HIS 320 CONTEMPORARY WORLD HISTORY AND ISSUES (3)

Political Science (3 credits)

• PL SC 471 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY (3)

Geography (6 credits)

• GEOG 040 WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY (3)
• GEOG 128 GEOGRAPHY OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (3)

Government (3 credits)

• PL SC 001 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (3)

Supporting Courses - 15 Credits Required

• 3 credits of American studies (from approved department list)
• 3 credits of history (from approved department list)
• 3 credits of anthropology (from approved department list)
• 3 credits of minority studies (from approved department list)
• 3 credits of Psychology (from approved department list)

For a list of courses, visit the web.

Please note: This page is not a part of the official Penn State Graduate Bulletin.