Social Studies Secondary Education

Program Requirements

Social Studies Secondary Education, BS Program Checksheet

Includes:

• Major Courses and General Education Courses
• Admission and Transfer Requirements
• Graduation Requirements

Why Choose Social Studies Education

Social Studies Education involves the study of history, geography, political science and economics. In today's society. social studies education is especially relevant. Trained social studies educators are able to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world (NCSS, 1994.) These educators are well rounded in the various aspects of Social Studies and will play an important role in helping future generations understand the world around them. These educators can assist students in gaining knowledge in anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, religion, and sociology and to make global connections.

Career Opportunities

Current employment opportunities in the field of social studies education is based on two key factors. Both on a national and state level there is a common theme of the extreme need for teachers and adequately prepared social studies teachers. Concerns at the beginning of the decade focused primarily on the issue of the retirement for a significant number of educators, in the Michigan Education Report of 2001. Teacher shortages in Michigan are predicted to be most severe at the secondary education level. The issue of teacher shortage due to retirement has been redress a major issue - teachers who teach in content areas where they have little or no formal training. This issue is especially relevant to the field of social studies. With the cuts in funding for education, school districts are relying on hiring teachers who can teach in multiple areas. Social study teachers have broad-based education in multiple content areas which makes them highly marketable in the current economic times.

Teacher Certification Requirements

As required by the State of Michigan, to receive teacher certification, all teacher candidates must: 1.Meet the MDE (CAEP) cohort requirements; 2. Pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification content area tests in their major; and 3. Have a 2.75 minimum GPA to receive teacher certification in Michigan. These state requirements are in addition to the FSU graduation requirements of your individual program.

More Information

School of Education
Ferris State University
Bishop Hall 421
1349 Cramer Circle
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2737
Phone: 231-591-5361