Social Sciences--Teacher Certification for Secondary Schools
Program Description
The Social Sciences program is centered on developing each student’s understanding of modern society and the recurring patterns in our nation and the world’s history and culture. Among the common themes of the program is the study of such institutions as government, family structure, religion, economics, legal studies, criminal justice, and geography. The reality of the interdependence among men and women and nations on all levels brought about by advances in technology is studied in all of the Social Science disciplines. Students earning a degree in Social Sciences have a foundation in the liberal arts through a variety of content courses and are able to relate lessons and achievements from the past and other cultures to the challenges of the present. Social Science students enhance their intellectual maturation through the development of their thinking, speaking, research, and writing. A major emphasis of the Social Science program is the sharpening of each student’s ability to analyze critically and make sound judgments concerning the past as a prelude to the future.
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a Concentration in Teacher Certification for Secondary Schools program is designed to provide students who are interested in a career teaching the Social Sciences at the secondary level with a strong background in their discipline. The necessary professional courses in Education provide each student with the skills and academic work needed for a successful career in teaching in Louisiana’s public, private, and parochial schools. The skills and material presented to students of the Social Sciences program are important competencies for a successful teaching career. Among these skills are critical reading, analytic and problem solving, writing, oral communication and listening, research, information management, and task organization skills—all talents in demand in the Education field and the modern world of work.
Student Learning Outcomes
The objective of the Social Sciences with a Concentration in Teacher Certification for Secondary Schools program is to provide all students with a broad-based study of mankind’s past, ancient and current cultures, and a variety of skills, including critical thinking, research, and writing, which will be vital for success in a student’s future career in education and role as a contributing member of society. The program also provides each student with the professional Education courses needed to prepare them for teacher certification and a successful career in Education.
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a Concentration in Teacher Certification for Secondary Schools, students demonstrate
- professional competence and the ability to recognize those beliefs that are essential to and necessary for the advancement of human life;
- critical thinking and writing skills;
- knowledge and appreciation of the political, historical, social, economic, and broad cultural experiences of peoples from early times to the modern era;
- the ability to engage successfully in Social Science research;
- recall of important historical facts and the ability to read, understand, and critique works in the Social Sciences;
- a passing grade in the PRAXIS I exam (reading, writing, and mathematics) or ACT of at least 22 and PRAXIS II exam (Social Studies content area).
Degree Requirements
The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a Concentration in Teacher Certification for Secondary Schools is conferred upon students who complete the approved program of study with a Grade Point Average of at least 2.5 in all 121 semester hours of the curriculum, at least 2.0 in all core and General Education requirements, at least 3.0 in all Education (EDU) course work, and at least 2.5 in all other course work pertaining to the major course of study. Social Sciences majors must complete a course of study that includes a minimum of 36 hours of courses in Social Sciences, of which 24 must be 300 level or higher; a minimum grade of C must be earned in all courses pertaining to the major course of study. Note: MAT 100A and MAT 100B classes are not acceptable as electives.
To earn a concentration in Secondary Education, students must complete 15 hours in professional Education, all of which are at the 300 or higher level. A GPA of 3.0 must be attained in the professional Education courses.
Core and General Education Requirements
Biology
| BIO 101 | General Biology | 3 |
| BIO 291 | | |
English
Fine Arts
History
| HIS 101 | History of Western Civilization I | 3 |
| | And | |
| HIS 102 | History of Western Civilization II | 3 |
Mathematics
Natural Science
| Elective | BIO/ESC/CHE/MAT/PHY | 4 |
Philosophy
| PHI 101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 207 | Introduction to Logic & Critical Thinking | 3 |
Political Science
Sociology
Speech
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
Theology
| THE 220 | Religious Traditions and Cultures | 3 |
| Elective | Theology Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 54 |
Major Requirements
Criminal Justice
| Elective | Criminal Justice Elective | 3 |
Elective (Criminal Justice elective): above 300-level
Foreign Language
| 101 | Elementary French Latin Spanish I amp II | 6 |
| | And | |
| 102 | Elementary French Latin Spanish I amp II | 6 |
Geography
| GEO 201 | World Geography | 3 |
| GEO 202 | Geography of the United States & Canada | 3 |
History
| HIS 201 | History of the United States I | 3 |
| | And | |
| HIS 202 | History of the United States II | 3 |
| | | |
| HIS 301 | Louisiana History | 3 |
| HIS 450 | Louisiana Heritage: Research in Louisiana History | 3 |
| | History Electives | 9 |
History Electives: above 300-level
Psychology
Social Science
Electives: Courses may be taken in Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology (above 300- level).
Education*
| EDU 301/EDU 301 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDU 304A | The Learner with Special Needs | 3 |
| EDU 306 | Classroom Organization & Management | 3 |
| EDU 311 | Teaching Reading in the Content Area | 3 |
| EDU 345 | Professional Laboratory Experience Program | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 67 |
EDU 345: These courses require successful completion of PRAXIS I and PRAXIS II content exams before a student can register for them. A minimum 2.5 overall GPA is also required for graduation. To complete Louisiana certification in Secondary Education (grades 6-12), EDU 424 Foundations of Teaching and Learning, EDU 460D Instructional Methodologies, EDU 461A Internship I, and EDU 461B Internship II must be taken after graduation.
*In order for the listed Education (EDU) courses to be counted by the State of Louisiana toward Teacher Certification, students must attain a 3.0 GPA in all courses identified as an Education class (EDU).
Total Credit Hours: 121