College of Arts and Letters2012-2013

Department of History

Secondary Education - History and Social Studies, Bachelor of Science in Education

“Our history is not our destiny,” suggests Alan Cohen.  
  
This degree prepares future educators to teach their students both the tragedies of history and the lessons it offers for the future. The plan includes content-rich coursework as well as significant preparation in teaching, using best practices and applied theory.

This program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education - History and Social Studies?

As a high school educator who specializes in history and social studies, you'll give your students the context and knowledge they need to understand and participate in the world around them. In this program you'll tap into the areas of interest that pique your curiosity, such as U.S. history, world history, political science, economics, and geography. You can also take additional courses in other social sciences, like anthropology, psychology, and sociology.  
  
You’ll graduate with expertise in your chosen field, ready with the tools needed to shape the educational experiences of your students and build a curriculum that reaches everyone. Enjoy a rigorous and collaborative learning environment that will prepare you for a rewarding career in secondary education. If you earn excellent grades and successfully complete a senior thesis or an honors project, you become eligible to receive departmental honors when you graduate.  
  
Note: You must apply and be accepted to the College of Education’s teacher education program in addition to being admitted to the university.

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Secondary school teacher
  • Reading specialist
  • Curriculum specialist
  • Reading tutor

With further education, one of these paths is possible:
  • Counselor
  • School psychologist
  • Curriculum specialist
  • Superintendent

University Requirements

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's liberal studies, diversity, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
    The full policy can be viewed here.

     

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

  • 71 units of major requirements including 13 units of Fieldwork Experience - HIS 306 and ECI 495C
  • 15 units of Foundations in Teaching requirements
  • Be aware that you may not use courses with an HIS prefix to satisfy liberal studies requirements
  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units

Candidates in this program are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, and professional knowledge to be eligible to enter student teaching or internship placements. Content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in the following course(s):

Please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
GPA 2.5
Mathematics Required MAT 114
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching Required
Progression Plan View Progression Plan

Details
Additional Admission Requirements
  • Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • If you are completing an undergraduate program in secondary education, you must meet the following admission requirements:

    • 30 units of coursework
    • EDF 200 with a grade of "C" or better
    • MAT 110, MAT 114 or MAT 155 with a grade of "C" or better
    • Complete at least 3 units of concentration major coursework
    • A minimum GPA of 2.5 in all content major coursework
    • The English foundations requirement (ENG 105 or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 3.0.  (If your English GPA is below 3.0, you may take an approved writing course to achieve the 3.0 GPA.)
    • One of the following grade point average requirements:

      • A cumulative 2.5 GPA in Liberal Studies courses
      • A cumulative 2.5 GPA in all courses
    • A declared major
    • Attendance at a teacher-education orientation for Secondary Education
    • A copy of your State-approved Identity-Verified Print (IVP) fingerprint clearance card, obtainable through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (602-223-2279)
Major Requirements
    • Select at least two non-duplicating Social Science courses. The following are especially recommended (6 units):
Teacher Preparation
  • In all of our teacher education programs, you are required to complete a student teaching or internship experience. In addition, a minimum number of units of practicum is required, which involves supervised field experience with a practicing teacher.

    Before being accepted to student teaching, the following criteria must be met:
    • Admission to the teacher education program
    • NAU GPA must be at least 2.5, with a GPA of 2.5 in all teacher preparation courses, with no grade lower than a "C."
    • All education courses and departmental requirements must be successfully completed prior to student teaching.
    • All concentration courses must be completed with no grade lower than a "C." (B.S.Ed. in Elementary and Early Childhood education students only)
    • All education coursework, with the exception of EDF 200, must be completed within the six years prior to student teaching.
    • All candidates must demonstrate social and emotional maturity consistent with professional standards of classroom instruction as well as adequate physical health for teaching.
  • AEPA Requirements

    In order to obtain an AZ teaching certificate, you will need to pass the following exams:
    • AEPA Subject Knowledge Exam
    • AEPA Professional Knowledge Exam
General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.  

    You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)

  • Please note that you may take as an elective POS 220 (or POS 110 and POS 241), which satisfies the state and federal constitution requirement for Arizona certification, or you may meet the requirement by demonstrating proficiency on a special exam.
Additional Information
  • Please be aware that, for the B.S.Ed. degree, you must have the following:
    • A grade of "B" or better for the English foundation requirement (ENG 105 or equivalent) (If you don’t receive a 3.0, you may complete an additional ENG writing course, at the 200-level or above, with at least a "B," to meet this requirement.)
    • A grade of "C" or better for the mathematics foundation requirement
    • A grade point average of at least 2.5 in all of your Northern Arizona University coursework in order to student teach. This requirement applies to all B.S.Ed. majors at Northern Arizona University.
  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.

Campus Availability