History and Social Science Teaching Emphasis, BA/BS
Program Description
The BA or BS in Social Sciences Education is designed specifically for students seeking secondary teaching careers and prepares them to teach American, World, and Utah History, along with Political Science, Geography, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, and Psychology. This emphasis also includes a Secondary Education (SCED) teaching certification which qualifies students to secure employment at the high school level immediately upon graduation.
Professional Licensure/Certification (PLC) Requirements
The curriculum for programs at Utah Tech University leading to professional licensure are designed to prepare students for Utah licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions requiring licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the University, and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.
Licensure boards in each state establish requirements for licensure and certification for their respective state. States vary by which professions are required to be licensed and how licensure functions, and such requirements may change at any time. The terms related to licensure and certification, among others, also vary by state as well.
Students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact the state licensure entity in the state where they intend to work to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by the student’s state(s) of choice. The University cannot provide verification of a student’s ability to meet licensure or certification requirements unrelated to its educational programming. Some states require individuals to complete additional requirements that are unrelated to educational prerequisites. For more information, visit the State Authorization and Professional Licensure web page and select the program, or speak to the director of the program.
Utah Tech University shall not be held liable if a student is unable to qualify for licensure or certification in any jurisdiction.
This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).
Program Curriculum
120 credits
Utah Tech General Education Requirements
All Utah Tech General Education requirements must be fulfilled. A previously earned degree may fulfill those requirements, but courses must be equivalent to Utah Tech's minimum General Education standards in American Institutions, English, and Mathematics.
General Education Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English | 3-7 | |
| Mathematics | 3-5 | |
| American Institutions | 3-6 | |
| Life Sciences | 3-10 | |
| Physical Sciences | 3-5 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Literature/Humanities | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts: Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3-16 | |
16 credits in a single foreign language (by coursework or vertical credit) | ||
Foreign language 2020 or 3060 class (C or higher) | ||
Foreign language 1020 class (C or higher) and 12 credits FLATS/FL-GE in another language | ||
Nonnative speakers may use ESL test or specific course(s) | ||
Social Science Teaching Emphasis Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Course Requirements | ||
| HIST 1500 | World History to 1500 (SS, GC) | 3 |
| HIST 1510 | World History Since 1500 (SS, GC) | 3 |
| HIST 2700 | U.S. History to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST 2710 | U.S. History Since 1877 | 3 |
| GEOG 1000 & GEOG 1005 | Physical Geography (PS) and Physical Geography Lab 1 | 4 |
| GEOG 1300 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| Any TWO of the following: ECON 1010; ECON 2010; ECON 2020; ECON 1740 | 6 | |
| POLS 1100 | American Government (AI) | 3 |
| PSY 1010 | General Psychology (SS, GC) | 3 |
| SOC 1010 | Introduction to Sociology (SS, GC) | 3 |
| Introduction to Anthropology (Course to be added to catalog in 2026) | 3 | |
| Advanced Course Requirements | ||
| Choice of: POLS 2100; POLS 2200; or POLS 2300 | 3 | |
| Choice of: PSY 2100; PSY 2430; PSY 1100 AND PSY 3220; PSY 3712; PSY 3714 Note, PSY 1100 is a prereq for PSY 3220 | 3 | |
| HIST 3870 | History of Utah | 3 |
| Upper Division Pathway Electives | ||
| 3 Additional Upper Division Electives. Students will choose 1 of these pathways: | 9 | |
History Pathway: 3 HIST Upper Division Electives. | ||
Government Pathway: 3 POLS Upper Division Electives. | ||
Global Pathway: Any 3 HIST, HUM, GLS, and/or POLS Upper Division Electives. | ||
Social Sciences Pathway: Any 3 POLS, SOC, ECON, and/or PSY Upper Division Electives | ||
| 1 Advanced Disciplinary Methods Course: Choice of: HIST 3000; SOC 3111; or SOC 3112 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 58 | |
Secondary Education Program Admission
To be admitted to the Secondary Education Program and enroll in professional courses:
- USBE R277-504-3 A(3) “requires candidates to maintain a cumulative university GPA of 3.0, and receive a C or better in all education related courses and major required content courses"
and students must pass the appropriate PRAXIS II content area subject test(s). In addition, one of the following must be completed:
- Students with BA/BS degrees in progress must have completed at least 95% of major coursework and have approval of major academic content area department advisor
- Students with completed BA/BS or higher degrees must have their transcripts reviewed by content area department advisor
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 1010 | Foundations/Intro to Education | 3 |
| EDUC 2010 | Intro to Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| EDUC 2110 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 2400 | Foundations Multicultural/ESL (SS, GC, ALCI) | 3 |
| EDUC 2500 | Instructional Technology in K-12 Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUC 2700 | Graduation Planning, Program Application & Career Prep | 0 |
| SCED Licensure Courses | ||
| SS 4700 | Social Studies Curr Methods | 3 |
| SCED 3720 | Reading Writing Content Areas (ALPP) | 2 |
| SCED 4100 | Curriculum and Instruction | 3 |
| SCED 4200 | Secondary Assessment | 2 |
| SCED 4600 | Classroom Management (ALPP) | 3 |
| SCED 4300 | Practicum Seminar | 3 |
| SCED 4900 | Secondary Student Teaching | 10 |
| SCED 4989 | Student Teaching Capstone 1 | 3 |
1. Course Fee Required. See Course Fee Tab for details.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 120 college-level credits (1000 and above).
- Complete at least 40 upper-division credits (3000 and above).
- Complete at least 30 upper-division credits at Utah Tech for institutional residency.
- Cumulative university GPA 3.0 or higher.
- Grade C or higher in each History and Social Sciences Teaching program required course.
- USBE R277-504-3 A(3) “requires candidates to maintain a cumulative university GPA of 3.0, and receive a C or better in all education related courses and major required content courses"
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA in program prerequisite and professional courses.