2026 - 2027 Catalog
Social Studies Education (SSED2-BS), B.S.
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Social Studies Education is the study of individuals, communities, systems, and their interactions across time and place, preparing students for local, national, and global civic life (NCSS, 2023). In today's society, social studies education is especially relevant. Trained social studies educators develop expertise in geography, history, political science, economics, and other social sciences alongside professional pedagogical expertise so that they are prepared to help their own students learn to navigate an increasingly complex and globalized world. Students in this program will be equipped with the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary to develop standards-aligned, inquiry-based lessons that prepare their middle and high school students for college, career, and civic life.
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Program Outcomes
1. Teacher candidates create safe, inclusive learning environments through adaptive instructional practices that address the needs of learners within the context of their communities and cultures.
2. Teacher candidates demonstrate content knowledge through developing and implementing rigorous, standards-based Social Studies curriculum and assessing student progress.
3. Teacher candidates demonstrate professional responsibilities in the field including self-reflection, ethics, professional development, and communication. New Student Admission Requirements
- 2.50 High School GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
- ACT Score of 17 or SAT Score of 900
- Students must have earned less than 29 credits.
Transfer Student Admission Requirements
- Combined college or university GPA of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) from all institutions attended. GPA based on completion of 12 transferable semester credit hours or more.
- The degree completion program at a statewide and online location requires 48 transferable semester credits to be admitted.
University Requirements - 17 to 19 Credits Required
First Year Seminar Requirement (FSUS 100 or Equivalent) - 0 to 1 Credit Required
All First-Time-In-Any-College Freshmen (FTIACs) must complete a one-credit FSUS 100 course, or its equivalent. Additional information and the definition of FTIAC for FSUS purposes can be found in the: Ferris State University Academic Affairs FSUS Policy University General Education Requirements - 17 to 18 Credits Required
Courses in this section are required to satisfy the University General Education Requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The University General Education requirements can be found on the: Ferris State University General Education Requirements Webpage Communication Competency - 12 Credits Required (or Their Equivalent)
Quantitative Literacy Competency - 3 to 4 Credits Required (or Their Equivalent)
Natural Sciences Competency - 6 Credits Required (4 Credits Met in College Requirements)
Two courses are required with a minimum of 6 credits: must have at least one lab course. Culture Competency - Credits Required Met in College Requirements
Three courses are required with a minimum of 9 credits: must be from two different disciplines and have at least one 200 level or higher course. Students in this program are exempt from the University requirement of taking courses from two different disciplines in this section due to Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requirements. Self and Society Competency - Credits Required Met in College Requirements
Three courses are required with a minimum of 9 credits: must be from two different disciplines, have at least one 200 level or higher course, and at least one Self and Society Foundation course. United States (U.S.) Diversity Competency - Course Required Met in Self and Society Competency
If not met by courses taken for Culture Competency, Self and Society Competency, or Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), a student must have one course with the United States (U.S.) Diversity attribute. Some courses include both Global and United States (U.S.) Diversity attributes. Students in this program cannot have courses met using the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) due to Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requirements. Global Diversity Competency - Course Required Met in Self and Society Competency
If not met by courses taken for Culture Competency, Self and Society Competency, or Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), a student must have one course with the Global Diversity attribute. Some courses include both Global and United States (U.S.) Diversity attributes. Students in this program cannot have courses met using the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) due to Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requirements. Collaboration Competency - Courses Required Met in College Requirements
If not met by courses taken in the College Requirements section, a student must have two courses with the Collaboration attribute. Some courses include both Collaboration and Problem Solving attributes. Problem Solving Competency - Courses Required Met in College Requirements
If not met by courses taken in the College Requirements section, a student must have two courses with the Problem Solving attribute. Some courses include both Collaboration and Problem Solving attributes. College Requirements - 110 Credits Required
Major Courses - 67 Credits Required
These courses are used to calculate the major 2.75 GPA requirement Secondary Education Professional Sequence - 40 Credits Required
Level 1 Courses - 10 Credits Required
Students may not repeat any education course more than once. These courses are used to calculate the professional sequence 2.75 GPA requirement. Level 2 Courses - 18 Credits Required
Prior to enrolling in any Level 2 courses, all students must meet the School of Education criteria for field experience, including: - Complete all Level 1 education courses with no grades lower than a C (no education courses can be repeated more than once)
- Maintain a minimum of a 2.75 cumulative GPA
- Complete a Level 2 application
These courses are used to calculate the professional sequence 2.75 GPA requirement. Level 3 Courses - 12 Credits Required
Prior to enrolling in Level 3 courses, all students must meet the following requirements: - Pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in their subject area and concentrations (if applicable).
- Obtain the appropriate GPA for their major/minor as established by each department.
- Obtain a minimum of a 2.75 GPA in the Professional Sequence. Students may not repeat any education course more than once.
- Obtain a minimum of a 2.75 cumulative GPA before student teaching.
Notes
- Students who return to the university after an interrupted enrollment, not including summer semester, must normally meet the requirements of the curriculum which are in effect at the time of their return, not the requirements which were in effect when they were originally admitted.
- Ferris State University’s Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO) and Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) policies will not apply to this program due to Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requirements.
- Credit Variance - Credits required may vary based on course placement, prerequisites, etc. If you have questions, contact your advisor.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from Ferris State University, students must meet both University and Programmatic Graduation Requirements. University Graduation Requirements
These are the minimum graduation requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Ferris State University: - All requirements as specified in the University Requirements section must be met.
- A minimum of 120 credits must be earned.
- A 2.00 or higher cumulative Ferris State University GPA is required.
- A minimum of 30 credits must be earned from Ferris State University to meet the Residency requirement.
- A minimum of 40 credits of 300 level or higher courses must be earned.
Programmatic Graduation Requirements
These are the additional graduation requirements mandated by the program: - All requirements as specified in the College Requirements section must be met.
- A 2.75 or higher cumulative GPA is required in the Major Courses sections.
- A 2.75 or higher cumulative GPA is required in the Secondary Education Professional Sequence section.
- A 2.75 or higher cumulative GPA is required before beginning student teaching.
- A minimum grade of C must be earned in all courses.
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