At which campus can I study this program?
Begin Campus
Any Penn State Campus
End Campus
Harrisburg
Program Description
The Secondary Education Social Studies major prepares students to meet the requirements as established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to be certified for the Social Studies Instructional I Certificate. The major prepares students to teach history, government, economics, geography, psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
Students are challenged to prepare for teaching assignments at the middle and high school level, and in diverse settings characterized as rural, urban, and suburban. The art and science of teaching social studies in secondary schools is undergoing significant transformation as new technologies, new issues and considerations, and new instructional strategies are all having an impact on the delivery of social studies instruction.
Students admitted to the program must submit and renew annually the appropriate clearances. These include FBI fingerprint check, Act 151 child abuse history clearance, and Act 34 criminal record check. Additionally, documentation a clear tuberculosis (TB) test must be submitted no more than 90 days prior to any clinical field placement.
Students thinking seriously about entering the education program should plan their freshman and sophomore years carefully, following the Suggested Academic Plan as closely as possible. Semesters 5 through 8 are very structured.
What is Secondary Education Social Studies?
Secondary Education Social Studies prepares individuals to teach students in the secondary grades, which may include grades seven through twelve, depending on the school system or state regulations, in the areas of history, government, economics, geography, psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You enjoy history, economics, geography, sociology, and government.
- You like critical, creative, and reflective thinking.
- You enjoy helping others learn.
- You want to have an important and direct impact on the lives of others.
- You want a career in teaching or school administration.
- You want to help transform the world, one student at a time.
Entrance to Major
Entry to Secondary Education Social Studies requires the following:
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0;
- Completion of ENGL 15 or ENGL 30 and three credits of literature from approved list with a C or higher grade;
- Completion of six credits of college-level mathematics (MATH or STAT prefixes) with a C or higher grade;
- Satisfaction of any entrance testing requirements set out by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in effect at the time of application for the major;
- Submission to the Teacher Education Office of current and clear background checks as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education;
- Submission of documentation of 20 pre-major field observation hours.
Selective Retention
Following entrance to the major, students will be evaluated for retention in the program based on:
- maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
- completion of required courses with a C or higher grade;
- an acceptable or above rating on the Penn State Harrisburg Professional Dispositions for Teacher Education;1
- current and clear background checks as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
To be eligible to student teach, students must:
- maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
- complete all required Content and Education Courses with a C or higher grade;
- satisfaction of any entrance testing requirements set out by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in effect at the time of application for entrance to major;
- be rated acceptable or above on the Penn State Harrisburg Professional Dispositions for Teacher Education;1
- have current and clear background checks as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
In order to successfully complete the Secondary Education Social Studies Program, students must:
- complete EDUC 490 with a grade of C or higher;
- maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
- complete all required Content and Education Courses with a C or higher grade;
- complete a presentation portfolio; and
- be rated acceptable or above on the Penn State Harrisburg Professional Dispositions for Teacher Education.1
| 1 | For more detailed information see the Secondary Education Handbook. |
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Social Science degree in Secondary Education Social Studies, a minimum of 122 credits is required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Requirements for the Major | 95 |
21 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 6 credits of GH courses, 3 credits of GN courses, 6 credits of GS courses, 6 credits of GQ courses.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol 
appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Knowledge Domains
- Arts (GA): 6 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 6 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
Integrative Studies (may also complete a Knowledge Domain requirement)
- Inter-Domain or Approved Linked Courses: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Requirements for the Major
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| BISC 3 | Environmental Science | 3 |
| CI 280 | Introduction to Teaching English Language Learners | 3 |
| EDPSY 14 | Learning and Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 313 | Field Observation | 2 |
| EDUC 314 | Learning Theory and Instructional Procedures | 3 |
| EDUC 315Y | Social and Cultural Factors in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 415 | Teaching Secondary Social Studies | 3 |
| EDUC 458 | Behavior Management Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUC 459 | Strategies for Effective Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUC 490 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| GEOG 40 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 128 | Geography of International Affairs | 3 |
| HDFS 239 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
| HIST 20 | American Civilization to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST 21 | American Civilization Since 1877 | 3 |
| HIST 320 | Contemporary World History and Issues | 3 |
| PLSC 1 | American Politics: Principles, Processes and Powers | 3 |
| PSYCH 100 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 1 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| ECON 104 | Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy | 3 |
| or ECON 14 | Principles of Economics | |
| HIST 1 | Western Civilization I | 3 |
| or HIST 10 | World History to 1500 | |
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| College Algebra I | ||
| College Algebra II and Analytic Geometry | ||
| Plane Trigonometry | ||
| Problem Solving | ||
| General View of Mathematics | ||
| Insights Into Mathematics | ||
| Finite Mathematics | ||
| Elementary Linear Algebra | ||
| Algebra, Trigonometry, and Analytic Geometry | ||
| Problem Solving in Mathematics | ||
or MATH 220 | Matrices | |
| Statistical Concepts and Reasoning | ||
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas 1 | ||
| Select 3 credits of literature courses from approved department list | 3 | |
| Select 3 credits of African African-American studies, American studies, history or minority studies from approved department list | 3 | |
| Select 3 credits of anthropology from approved department list | 3 | |
| Select 3 credits of psychology from approved department list | 3 | |
| Select 3 credits of political science | 3 | |
| Select 3 credits of sociology | 3 | |
| 1 | 6 of these 18 credits must be a the 400-level. In addition, 3 of these must be US Cultures. |
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
Harrisburg
Michael Swogger, D.Ed.
Program Coordinator
Olmsted Building, W311
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6380
mjs201@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2020-21 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contain suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).
Harrisburg Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 15 or ENGL 30‡ | 3 | CAS 100‡ | 3 |
| MATH 37, 21, 22, 26, 30, 35, 36, 38, 40, 200, 220, STAT 100, or STAT 200*#† | 3 | MATH 37, 21, 22, 26, 30, 35, 36, 38, 40, 200, 220, STAT 100, or STAT 200*#† | 3 |
| SOC 1*† | 3 | BISC 3*† | 3 |
| HIST 1 or 10* | 3 | PSYCH 100*† | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | HIST 20*† | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Select 3 credit of literature from approved department list*# | 3 | ENGL 202A‡ | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | CI 280* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ECON 104 or 14* | 3 |
| EDPSY 14* | 3 | PLSC 1* | 3 |
| HIST 21*† | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 16.5 | 16.5 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| EDUC 313* | 2 | EDUC 315Y* | 3 |
| EDUC 314* | 3 | EDUC 458* | 3 |
| GEOG 128* | 3 | GEOG 40* | 3 |
| HIST 320* | 3 | Select 3 credits of Sociology* | 3 |
| Select 3 credits of PSYCH from approved department list* | 3 | Select 3 credits of Anthropology form approved department list* | 3 |
| HDFS 239* | 3 | ||
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| EDUC 415* | 3 | EDUC 490* | 12 |
| EDUC 459* | 3 | ||
| Select 3 credits in PLSC | 3 | ||
| Elective * | 3 | ||
| Select 3 credit of African African-American (AAAS) or American Studies (AMST) or Minority Studies or History (HIST) from approved department list* | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits 122 | |||
| * | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
| ‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
| # | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
| † | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
| 1 | Select 3 credits of Literature from approved department list |
| 2 | Select 3 credits of PSYCH from approved department list |
| 3 | Select 3 credits of Anthropology from approved department list |
| 4 | Select 3 credits of African African-American (AAAS) or American Studies (AMST) or Minority Studies or History (HIST) from approved department list. |
| 5 | At least 6 credit of the following are required at the 400 level. Quantification preferred course is STAT 200. |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
Career Paths
The Secondary Education Social Studies major will prepare students to teach social studies in secondary schools grades 7 to 12. As secondary school teachers, they will delve more deeply into subject matter introduced broadly during the elementary years. Additionally, Secondary Education Social Studies students should graduate with instructional, organizational, administrative, and communications abilities and an excellent background in the social studies. Other career areas requiring these skills include: public relations, sales, social work, employee training and development, social service, and employment counseling.
Careers
The Secondary Education Social Studies major prepares students to meet the requirements to be certified for the Social Studies Instructional I Certificate as established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Graduate programs for a Master of Education degree are available in Teaching and Curriculum and Literacy Education. Additional certification and endorsement programs in English as a Second Language (ESL), Special Education, and others are also available.
Accreditation
This program is nationally recognized by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and endorsed the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES
Professional Licensure/Certification
Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.
Contact
Harrisburg
SCHOOL OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES AND EDUCATION, TEACHER EDUCATION DIVISION
Olmsted Building, W311
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6213
rka12@psu.edu