Academic Programs - Social Studies Education
Undergraduate Degree and Certification Programs
The Department of Elementary and Social Studies Education
The Social Studies Program mission is to advance knowledgeable, reflective, and active democratic citizenship for the state of Georgia, the nation, and the world through exemplary and rigorous social studies teacher preparation, scholarship, and service. Our work is framed by commitments to social justice, equity, and democratic principles in education and the world beyond schools.
The Social Studies Program, a unit in the Department of Elementary and Social Studies Education, is responsible for the planning and oversight of programs leading to secondary teacher certification (grades 6-12) in history, geography, economics, and political science. Its programs are planned in cooperation with departments in the College of Arts and Sciences and approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The Social Studies Program also provides courses in social studies education to the elementary and middle school education programs.
S3ITE – Secondary Social Studies Information About Teacher Education
Job Opportunities With a Degree in Social Studies Education
In general, the market for social studies teachers has been more competitive than other high-demand teaching fields, such as science and math education, as the number of social studies teachers supplied exceeds the quantity demanded. However, new social studies teaching openings become available every year. Population growth in Georgia is above the national average; suburban Atlanta is among the fastest growing areas in the United States. Because metropolitan and suburban systems are more attractive to teacher candidates than small town and rural systems, job markets are more competitive in suburban and urban areas. Job opportunities are directly related to a teacher candidate’s willingness to move where there are job openings and how a teacher candidate conducts a systematic job search. As with other majors, opportunities in social studies education are related not merely to earning the degree, but to academic performance, general aptitude, character, and personality of those seeking employment. Most of our graduates who want to teach social studies after graduation find positions.
Enrollment in Social Studies Education Courses
The professional sequence of courses in the secondary program is only offered to those who have been admitted to the major. These include ESOC 4350, 4360, 4450L, 5460, and 5560.
ESOC 2450 is a prerequisite for admission to the program (see admission information below) and is designated open enrollment. The department offers two sections of ESOC 2450 each fall and spring semester. Each class has a limited enrollment of 20 students.
All other undergraduate courses in the program, unless otherwise indicated, are open to all undergraduate students.
Application Procedures for Admission to Major
The Social Studies Education major is designated as a high demand major at the University of Georgia. The University identifies high-demand majors as those that receive or expect to receive more applications for major status from fully qualified rising juniors than the program can accommodate without endangering the quality of instruction offered. The number of newly admitted students is limited to 25, admitted during one application period in December.
Applicants to the major must:
Complete core curriculum requirements for Areas I through V and Area VI.
Current Area VI requirements include:
- EFND 2030 or EDUC(EFND) 2110 and
- EPSY 2020 or EPSY 2020H or EDUC(EPSY) 2130 and
- EDUC(EFND) 2120 and
- 9 additional hours from the list of social sciences in Area V
Note: SPED 2000 is required for state certification and will count in Area VI if you are accepted into the major by the completion of Fall 2009. After Fall 2009, SPED 2000 will count as an elective. - Possess an overall grade point average of 2.50
- Earn a passing score on the GACE Basic Skills exam or meet the requirements for exemption of the GACE Basic Skills exam
- Satisfactorily complete ESOC 2450/2450L- Initial Field Experiences in Social Studies Education
After completing ESOC 2450L, students wishing to apply to the major are directed to submit:
- An application form
- A written rationale for teaching social studies
Applications are accepted, and admissions decisions are made, after the Fall semester of every academic year. To apply, this completed form must be submitted by December 1. To complete the application, the rationale essay is submitted by the end of the Fall semester.
Click here for the application.
Social Studies Program faculty review, rate, and rank the applications by academic achievement evidenced by content GPA (60%) in Areas V and VI, and by quality of the rationale (40%). Criteria for the rationale are further discussed in ESOC 2450L. The applicants with the top scores will be admitted to the major.
Admitted students must continue to meet the minimum entrance requirements. Students will be dismissed from the program for just cause, including violation of University of Georgia rules or procedures or for committing acts that would make them uncertifiable (e.g. felony crime). Admitted students must meet the professional dispositions expectation for pre-service teachers adopted by the social studies program faculty.
Social Studies Education is a high demand major. Students are encouraged to have an alternate plan should they not gain acceptance into the major.
For additional information concerning application to the Social Studies Education major, please contact Kelley Whisnant, Social Studies Program Academic Advisor, Department of Elementary and Social Studies Education. Her office is located in 427 Aderhold Hall.
Application for Student Teaching
At the beginning of the methods/curriculum/practicum semester, students should apply for student teaching. Applications are available on the Office of Student Services website: http://www.coe.uga.edu/student-services/field-experience/student-teaching-information/
Placement preferences listed on this application are only one consideration used in making student teaching placements. Other factors also figure into placement decisions, such as prior practicum placements, experience working with particular cooperating teachers, efforts to build relationships with particular schools and school districts, the capacity of our Field Instructors to make required school visits, etc. Placement recommendations are made by the program in cooperation with the Office of Student Services. Once you have applied to student teach keep the student teaching office informed of any change of plans or change of address (706-542-1717).
Application for Graduation
No separate application for graduation is required. The Registrar produces a graduation report similar to the Degree Audit Report System (DARS) print-out you receive each semester. Your advisor reviews and verifies the graduation report.
Application for Certification
Application for teacher certification by qualified students should be made at or near the time of graduation. Application forms can be obtained from the Office of Student Services, 122 Aderhold. For instructions on the certification application, see Application for Certification. New teachers will undergo criminal background checks in the hiring process, and it is very important that students answer certification and employment questions honestly and accurately. Some people have been refused certification over minor legal matters because they did not answer the questions completely honestly. A passing score on a GACE content exam is required for teacher certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. This exam is not required to graduate, but is required for certification in Georgia. Apply and obtain information about the exam in 122 Aderhold. Information is also available at www.gace.nesinc.com
Please note that in the GACE testing program, there is no broad field social studies test for high school (6-12). Instead separate content tests are available for History, Economics, Geography, and Political Science. An educator seeking authorization to teach multiple social science subjects at the high school level (grades 6-12) will need to pass the appropriate content GACE tests. However, there is a middle grades social studies test to support Middle Grades Social Studies (4-8) certification.
Teacher Certification, Graduate Work, and Undergraduate Academic Performance
If you plan to make a career of teaching you should not only attempt to meet minimum undergraduate academic requirements but also requirements for admission to graduate school. Academic performance in undergraduate course work is heavily weighted in graduate school admission. A 3.00 GPA is expected. Even with high admission test scores, graduate students will not be admitted with less than a 2.60 undergraduate GPA. See the Graduate School Bulletin for details. Consider completing the M.Ed. or M.A. (Ed.) degree before seeking a teaching position.
Regardless of your current plans for the future, you should be concerned about the long-term implications of your academic performance and its relationship to possible future professional career choices, especially graduate school admission.
For information on graduate degree programs in Social Studies Education.
Honors Program
If you are eligible you should participate in the honors program. Details of the Honors Program are given in the Bulletin. Course designations ending in “H” may be taken only by honors program students or those otherwise specifically approved.
Independent and Special Study
Prospective teachers may take independent study courses when offered by various departments. Internships, research and other scholarly courses emphasizing independent work can be an important part of the training for prospective teachers. Consider special courses offered through programs at the University funded by outside agencies.
Study Abroad
We also encourage you to consider participating in study abroad programs. The University of Georgia Study Abroad Program regularly offers summer study opportunities in Europe in foreign language, in classical culture, and in other subjects.
Student teaching may be completed abroad by qualified students through the Consortium of Overseas Student Teaching (COST). More information on this opportunity is available from the Educational Field Experiences Office, 122 Aderhold.
A variety of study abroad programs are available through other institutions. Many of these are offered as part of the International Intercultural Studies Program, headquartered at Georgia State University, which serves all institutions under the University System Board of Regents. Be certain that credit may be transferred, however. (404/658-2450; Georgia State University, IISP, University Plaza, Box 653, Atlanta, GA 30303-3083).
Advising
To avoid delay in graduating, plan your total program with Kelley Whisnant, Social Studies Program Academic Advisor. Her office is located in 427 Aderhold Hall. Pre-register each semester and keep your contact information up-to-date via OASIS.
You should learn the requirements of the program of study, plan the sequence of courses, and follow the course of study. Friends in other programs are NOT good sources of information. They may be correct about their program requirements, but those may not apply to you. Rumor is equally unreliable.
Use the outline of recommended courses to project a program of study over the four year period. In planning the sequence of courses the following guidelines are helpful:
FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEARS – Meet core curriculum requirements before taking major courses. Schedule English, literature, and art, music, or drama courses for consecutive semesters, a math or science for consecutive semesters, a history or social science course in each semester, and PEDB for 1 semester.
SOPHOMORE YEAR – EFND 2030 or EDUC 2110, EPSY 2020 or EDUC 2130 and EDUC 2120 may be taken during the sophomore year. Note: SPED 2000 can count for EDUC 2120 if you are accepted into the major by Fall 2009.
JUNIOR YEAR – Use the junior year primarily to take history and social science courses.
SENIOR YEAR – Most professional courses are taken during the senior year.
Student Records
Records of all undergraduates in the College of Education are maintained in the Student Services Office, 122 Aderhold. Unofficial records also are maintained in the office of the Undergraduate Advisor in Aderhold Hall. Students can obtain accurate and up-to-date records of their own courses and degree progress by computer through the OASIS system. It will expedite advising if a student comes to an advisor with a complete record of course work and other program plans. Retain Degree Audit Report System print-outs given to you by your advisor (and evaluations of transfer credit if applicable). Check carefully records for transfer of proper credit, especially for the last semester before transferring. Although students are entitled to graduate under program requirements in effect when entering the departmental program, certification requirements can be and have been changed with little prior warning by the State.
Responsibility for Program
Students in the Social Studies Education Program are responsible for taking the course work appropriate to their program and following the necessary procedures for registration, admission to teacher education, enrollment in Social Studies Education courses, and admission to student teaching. The advisor assists students in making program choices and helps them to utilize the services offered by the University. It is not the responsibility of the advisor, however, to inform students of every detailed step they must take.
Students should have copies of the following up-to-date material to consult:
- The University of Georgia Bulletin, Undergraduate Study
- Social Studies Education Undergraduate Degree and Certification Programs
- Individual Approved Program of Study
Preregistration
Preregister for every semester. Follow instructions in the OASIS Schedule of Classes. Any changes that supplement or update this information are provided at the time of preregistration. The department must “clear” each student through the computer before he or she can preregister or late register through the OASIS system.
“POD” is not a call number; “Permission of Department” requires clearance from the department offering the course. “POH” courses require clearance from the Honors Program Office; you must be in that program or have special approval to enroll in honors courses.
SOPHOMORE YEAR – EFND 2030 or EDUC 2110, EPSY 2020 or EDUC 2130 and EDUC 2120 may be taken during the sophomore year. Note: SPED 2000 can count for EDUC 2120 if you are accepted into the major by Fall 2009.
Social Studies Education Major
A baccalaureate degree program must require at least 21 semester hours of upper division courses in the major field and at least 39 semester hours of upper division work overall. In addition to the core curriculum and areas F (VI), students must complete the following:
Required Courses – 54 hours
- ESOC 2450-2450L (3)
- ESOC 4360/6360 (3)
- ESOC 5460/7460 (15)
- ESOC 4350/6350 (3)
- ESOC 4450L (3)
- ESOC 5560 (3)
- Select twenty-four hours of 3000/4000-level courses in one of the following Areas of Emphasis: Economics, Human Geography, History, or Political Science and complete the following:
- The history and social science courses taken in Major Requirements, Major Electives, Area E (V), and Area F (VI) must equal forty-five hours, at least twenty-four hours in the area of emphasis field (ECON, Human GEOG, HIST, POLS) and twenty-one additional hours distributed in history and social science fields (ANTH, ECON, Human GEOG, HIST, POLS, PSYC, SOCI).
Major Electives – 0 hours
General Electives – 9 hours
Physical Education- 1 hour
Total hours required – 124
