2024-2025

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

Department of History

College of Arts and Letters

“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 Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

This program is nationally recognized by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

  • 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 diversity, liberal studies, 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.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • 86 units of major requirements including 17 units of Fieldwork Experience - HIS 206, HIS 407 and HIS 491C
  • 12 units of Foundations in Teaching requirements

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major 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, professional knowledge, and professional dispositions to be eligible to enter student teaching or internship placements.

Content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills, and professional dispositions are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in the following course(s):

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA 3.0
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching Required
Study Abroad Recommended
University Honors Program Optional
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A Recommended
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan
Licensure

This program may lead to licensure.

Purpose Statement

The Bachelor of Science in Education, History and Social Studies program prepares competent and professional educators who will teach and make a positive difference in secondary social studies classrooms. The program equips future teachers with historical and social science knowledge and understanding by exposing them to a variety of narratives, perspectives, and disciplinary skills and by introducing them to diverse local, state, national, and global communities. Students gain insight in the critical reading of these narratives and arguments, practice the historical craft by constructing evidence-based narratives and arguments from primary and secondary sources, and discussing, analyzing, and synthesizing diverse histories. They are also introduced to the disciplines of political science, economics, and geography. The program combines content knowledge and abilities with training in inquiry learning, pedagogical skills and significant practice in secondary classroom. Students practice creating inquiry-rich daily, unit, and year long curriculum plans that are rich in diverse instructional strategies (including the use of technological literacies) and teaching lessons in the secondary classroom. At the end of the program, students should be able to successfully orchestrate learning in secondary classrooms by planning meaningful, standards-based instruction, delivering these lessons successfully in the classroom, assess learning, and modify instruction for diverse learners. 

NAU students in this program are teacher candidates inSecondary Education, History and Social Studies. They work on teaching and learning by practicing skills working with secondary learners in relation to content, assessment, and professional dispositions in order to effectively teach social studies at the secondary level.

NAU students in this program are teacher candidates in History and Social Studies Education; and they work on teaching and learning by practicing skills in working with secondary learners, content, assessment, and professional dispositions in order to effectively teach social studies at the secondary level.

Student Learning Outcomes
 
Outcomes align with Standards from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium.

  • Learners, Learner Differences, and Learning Environment: The teacher candidate will be able to
    • create an inquiry-based, productive, collaborative, high expectations classroom setting;
    • engage and motivate secondary-grade learners;
    • develop and refine learning plans appropriate to grade level and a diversity of learners (e.g. differing needs, abilities, race, class, gender, religions, and cultural backgrounds);
    • adapt lessons for different learners’ cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical development;
    • articulate the relevance of teaching multiple perspectives to a diverse group of learners, recognizing the interconnectedness of all people.
  • Concepts/ Knowledge Application: The teacher candidate can
    • inquire, think critically, and gain content knowledge and application to teach history, geography, government, and economics at the secondary level;
    • practice disciplinary habits of mind, research skills, evidence-based argumentation and interpretation;
    • select and assess the value of primary and secondary sources for use in teaching secondary learners; 
    • incorporate multiple perspectives, drawing on and recognizing relationships among local, regional, and global issues;
    • teach required standards for subject and grade-level taught.
  • Assessment and Instructional Skills/ Abilities: The teacher candidate can…
    • identify and employ enduring understandings and essential questions to teach for deeper meaning;
    • plan instruction that promotes meaningful content knowledge and skill acquisition; 
    • craft pre-, formative, and summative assessments that align with learning outcomes;
    • interpret and analyze the results of assessment in order to teach more successfully;
    • employ a variety of effective instructional strategies appropriate to learners, content, and learning goals;
    • use technological tools appropriate to content and instruction;
    • engage students in building their technological literacies.
  • Professional Responsibility/Dispositions/ Attitudes: The teacher candidate will demonstrate…
    • respect and adaptation for a variety of learners;
    • an ability to self-assess his/her teaching and learning;
    • confidence in and commitment to growth in teaching;
    • patience and reflection in the process of gaining teaching skills;
    • how to use content responsibly and appropriately, presenting and citing research;
    • openness to explore professional growth and collaboration both in terms of content and pedagogy.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • To be eligible for admission to the program, candidates must meet the following requirements:

    • Complete 30 units of coursework which includes:
      • EDF 200 with a Grade of "C" or better
      • MAT 110 or MAT 114 with a Grade of "C" or better
      • 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.)
      • A minimum GPA of 3.0 in all social studies content courses (must have taken at least 6 units) 
      • A cumulative GPA of 2.5
      • You must be declared in this major.
      • Submission of 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

  • This major requires 86 units distributed as follows:

    • Social Studies Content Coursework: 33 units
    • History Content Coursework: 15 units
      • U.S. History Coursework: 3 - 6 units
      • Non-U.S. History Coursework: 9 - 12 units
    • Social Science Coursework: 3 units
    • Social Studies Teaching and Learning Coursework: 6 units
    • Social Studies Fieldwork Coursework: 17 units
    • Foundations in Teaching Requirements: 12 units


    Take the following 86 units:
    A minimum NAU cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required and a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for Social Studies Content Courses and Social Studies Teaching and Learning Courses. For all major requirements, a passing grade is required and a Grade of "C" or better is required for courses evaluated on an A-F scale. One exception is a grade of “B” or better is required for HIS 205.

  • History Content Coursework (15 units)
    Include at least one 400-level course. These units must be divided among U.S. and non-U.S. courses as follows:

  • Social Studies Teaching and Learning Coursework (6 units)
    Prerequisites for these courses include HIS 205 with a Grade of "B" or better and HIS 206 with a grade of "Pass".

Teacher Preparation

  • Before being accepted to student teaching, the following criteria must be met:

    • Admission to the Professional Education Programs (PEP).
    • GPA and course grade requirements for the degree program as stated in Additional Admission and Major Requirements.
    • Take and pass the designated content knowledge exam.
    • Complete all plan requirements.
    • All major coursework, with the exception of EDF 200, must be completed within the six years prior to student teaching.
    • Successful completion of required state and university training modules.
    • All candidates must demonstrate professional and ethical standards of practice as described in the Model Code of Ethics for Educators and adhere to NAU’s and PEP’s Student Code of Conduct.
    • All outstanding PEP Alerts must be resolved per an improvement plan.
    • Attend mandatory Student Teaching Orientation.

  • Arizona Teacher Certification

    You must pass the National Evaluation Series Secondary Assessment Professional Knowledge Exam to obtain an Arizona teaching certificate.

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

    • This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.

    • Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Education, Secondary Education - History and Social Studies and start a Master of Arts in History - Portfolio Track at NAU.

    • Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs, as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year.

      Be sure to speak with the Master's Program Director/Coordinator regarding your interest in the accelerated plan.

    • Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:

    • Major Requirements

      This major requires 86 units distributed as follows:

      • Social Studies Content Coursework: 33 units
      • History Content Coursework: 9 units
        • U.S. History Coursework: 3 units
        • Non-U.S. History Coursework: 6 units
      • Graduate-Level History Content Coursework: 6 units
      • Social Science Coursework: 3 units
      • Social Studies Teaching and Learning Coursework: 6 units
      • Social Studies Fieldwork Coursework: 17 units
      • Foundations in Teaching Requirements: 12 units


      Take the following 86 units:
      A minimum NAU cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required and a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for Social Studies Content Courses and Social Studies Teaching and Learning Courses. For all major requirements, a passing grade is required and a Grade of "C" or better is required for courses evaluated on an A-F scale. One exception is a grade of “B” or better is required for HIS 205.

    • History Content Coursework (9 units)
      Include at least one 400-level course. These units must be divided among U.S. and non-U.S. courses as follows:

    • Graduate-Level History Content Coursework (6 units)

    • Social Studies Teaching and Learning Coursework (6 units)
      Prerequisites for these courses include HIS 205 with a Grade of "B" or better and HIS 206 with a grade of "Pass".

    • Teacher Preparation

    • Before being accepted to student teaching, the following criteria must be met:

      • Admission to the Professional Education Programs (PEP).
      • GPA and course grade requirements for the degree program as stated in Additional Admission and Major Requirements.
      • Take and pass the designated content knowledge exam.
      • Complete all plan requirements.
      • All major coursework, with the exception of EDF 200 must be completed within the six years prior to student teaching.
      • Successful completion of required state and university training modules.
      • All candidates must demonstrate professional and ethical standards of practice as described in the Model Code of Ethics for Educators and adhere to NAU’s and PEP’s Student Code of Conduct.
      • All outstanding PEP Alerts must be resolved per an improvement plan.
      • Attend mandatory Student Teaching Orientation.

    • Arizona Teacher Certification

      You must pass the National Evaluation Series Secondary Assessment Professional Knowledge Exam to obtain an Arizona teaching certificate.

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 of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

  • Please note that you must take 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

  • If you meet the following criteria, you become eligible to receive History Departmental Honors when you graduate.

    To obtain Departmental Honors, you must:

    • Have an overall grade point average of 3.5 or better.
    • Have an overall grade point average for all History courses taken of 3.7 or better.
    • Complete a minimum of 39 units of History courses, excluding HIS 206, HIS 407, HIS 429, HIS 430, HIS 491C;
    • Complete a senior thesis or an Honors project under the supervision of a history faculty member.
    • Present the results of the thesis or Honors project at the University Honors Program Symposium, or at a History Department symposium or at a regional/national scholarly conference.

  • The History Department strongly encourages you to study abroad or intern abroad. For more information on global learning opportunities, benefits, or requirements, please consult with the History Department website and your advisor.

    Be aware that Arizona state teacher certification requirements leading to an Institutional Recommendation may change at any time, and may impact program of study requirements.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information, see course information contained in the catalog or your advisor.