The History Department in collaboration with the School of Education offers undergraduate and graduate programs of study in Social Studies Education that lead to licensure recommendation in the state of North Carolina. Concentrations are offered in both Middle Grades (6-9) and Secondary (9-12). As an accredited Educator Preparation Program by both NCATE and NCDPI (North Carolina Department of Public Instruction), our mission is to train and prepare committed, competent, and collaborative professionals who are capable of facilitating learning for twenty-first century students. Our SSE teacher candidates learn to effectively engage disciplinary literacy, utilize assessment as learning, and infuse technology into the classroom. They know how to prepare students for civic life, post-secondary education, and the global workplace.
Undergraduate Program
The undergraduate program is a 120 hour degree program with prescribed course requirements. Potential candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the SSE program coordinator, Dr. Cinnamon, as early in the process as possible for advisement and information about program expectations.
Program Requirements:
- 2.70 GPA minimum
- passing Praxis Core scores OR 24 on ACT OR 1170 on SAT (see Praxis Preparation for details on successfully passing the exam)
- Admission to Educator Preparation Program (see Admission to the EPP for details)
- Field Experience Practicums at one of our partner LEAs - see USPCP
- Professional Year: clinical Practice 1 & Clinical Practice 2: Internship
- edTPA
- Taskstream
Graduate Program - Master of Arts in Teaching
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) is a 30 hour master's degree program designed to prepare candidates for initial teacher licensure. This program fulfills the residency program requirements. Graduates from accredited colleges or universities with an bachelor's degree who are seeking a career in 6-12 teaching of social studies are welcome to apply. This program is designed specifically for individuals who have not earned licensure and who are seeking certification in the teaching field in which they wish to earn the degree.
Admission Requirements:
- A bachelors degree from a regionally accredited university**
- A minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA*
- Application to the Graduate School
- 3 professional references
- A resume
- Teaching Philosophy statement
*If an applicant's cumulative undergraduate GPA is less than a 2.75, provisional admission may be offered. Please contact the program area director, Dr. Serina Cinnamon, for more information.
**Program Pre/Co-requisite Coursework:**
- 18 hours history coursework
- 6 hours political science coursework
- 3 hours economics coursework
- 3 hours geography coursework
- 3 hours psychology or sociology coursework
- 24 hours minimum in an approved social studies content area: history, political science, economics, geography, psychology, sociology
**may be waived in part or whole with passing Praxis II scores at the time of admission
Program Requirements:
- Minimum 2.75 GPA
- 9 hours education core
- 6 hours content pedagogy
- 9-12 hours content coursework
- Field Experience Practicums at one of our partner LEAs - see USPCP
- Professional Year: clinical Practice 1 & Clinical Practice 2: Internship
- edTPA
- Taskstream
Graduate Program - Master of Arts in Social Studies Education
Within the History Department, we also offer a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Social Studies Education. This 30 hour master's degree program is designed for experienced teachers who wish to increase their own knowledge, enhance social studies instruction for their students, and exercise professional leadership in social studies curriculum development within secondary schools. It is aligned with the North Carolina Graduate Professional Teaching Standards. Upon completion of the program, candidates may be eligible for advanced licensure recommendation.