Social Studies (Composite Teaching) - BA, BS

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Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

School of Teacher Education and Leadership

About This Degree

The social studies (composite teaching) major is provides teaching endorsement in history, geography, psychology, sociology, economics, and political science. Students who graduate with this degree are “highly qualified” to teach all of these subject areas, based on federal standards for “No Child Left Behind”.

For more information about Social Studies Composite Teaching, see the website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor (435-797-0391).
Log on to DegreeWorks to check student-specific program progress.
The highest Math Requirement for this degree is STAT 1040 - Introduction to Statistics (QL) OR MATH 1050 - College Algebra (QL) OR STAT 1080 - Foundations of Data Science (QL) .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken at USU: 30
Credits of upper-division courses required for the major taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen: Admitted to USU in Good Standing
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU: 2.0 GPA

I. History (24 credits)

All courses C or better need for STEP.

World History (9 credits)

HIST 1100 - European History to 1500 (BHU) 3 credit(s)
HIST 1500 - Pre-Modern World (BHU) 3 credit(s)
HIST 1510 - The Modern World (BHU) 3 credit(s)

American History (9 credits)

HIST 2700 - United States to 1877 (BAI) 3 credit(s)
HIST 2710 - United States 1877-Present (BAI) 3 credit(s)
Choose one of the following:
HIST 3850 - History of Utah (CI/DHA) 3 credit(s)
HIST 4600 - The History of the American West (CI/DHA) 3 credit(s)

History Elective (3 credits)

Must be 3000-level or higher.

History of Traditionally Underrepresented Communities Elective (3 credits)

Choose from approved list. See advisor for current options.

II. Geography (9 Credits)

All courses C or better needed for STEP.

GEOG 1000 - Physical Geography (BPS) 3 credit(s)
GEOG 1300 - World Geography: Human and Environmental Dynamics (BSS) 3 credit(s)
GEOG 4210 - Geography of Utah 3 credit(s)

III. Economics (6 Credits)

All course C or better need for STEP.

ECN 1500 - Introduction to Economic Institutions, History, and Principles (BAI) 3 credit(s)
Choose one of the following:
ECN 2010 - Introduction to Microeconomics (BSS) 3 credit(s)
ECN 3170 - Law and Economics 3 credit(s)
ECN 4020 - Intermediate Macroeconomics 3 credit(s)

IV. Political Science (9 Credits)

All courses C or better needed for STEP.

POLS 1100 - United States Government and Politics (BAI) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3000 - Introduction to Political Research (QI) 3 credit(s)
Choose one of the following:
POLS 2100 - Introduction to International Relations (BSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 2200 - Comparative Politics (BSS) 3 credit(s)

V. Anthropology and Sociology (6 credits)

All courses require a C or better for STEP.

ANTH 1010 - Cultural Anthropology (BSS) 3 credit(s)
Choose one of the following:
SOC 1010 - Introductory Sociology (BSS) 3 credit(s)
SOC 1020 - Social Problems (BSS) 3 credit(s)

VI. Psychology (6 Credits)

All courses C or better needed for STEP.

PSY 1010 - General Psychology (BSS) 3 credit(s)
Choose one of the following:
PSY 1100 - Lifespan Development 3 credit(s)
PSY 2100 - Developmental Psychology: Adolescence 3 credit(s)
PSY 4240 - Multicultural Psychology (DSS) 3 credit(s)

VII. Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) (41 credits)

To begin the admission process to STEP, students should see their advisor at least two semesters before they begin Level 1 coursework. Minimum 2.0 overall GPA is required for admission. A 3.0 GPA must be maintained in the major courses. STEP admission deadlines are March 1 for fall and October 1 for spring. See all application requirements at https://teal.usu.edu/htm/undergraduate-programs/seced/adstep

STEP Requirements

All courses C or better needed to continue in STEP.

These courses may be taken before admission to STEP:
ITLS 2500 - Technology Enabled Instruction 3 credit(s)
SCED 3210 - Educational and Multicultural Foundations (CI/DSS) 3 credit(s)
HIST 3000 - History Research Methods 3 credit(s)
SCED 3300 - Clinical Experience I 1 credit(s)
SCED 3500 - Teaching Social Studies 3 credit(s)
SCED 3550 - Teaching Social Studies in the Middle Grades 3 credit(s)
SCED 4300 - Clinical Experience II 1 credit(s)
SCED 5100 - Motivation and Classroom Management 3 credit(s)
SCED 5200 - Language, Literacy and Learning in the Content Areas (CI) 3 credit(s)
SCED 5210 - Learning Theory, Curriculum, and Assessment 3 credit(s)
SPED 4000 - Education of Students with Disabilities 3 credit(s)
SCED 5500 - Student Teaching Seminar 2 credit(s)
SCED 5630 - Student Teaching in Secondary Schools 10 credit(s)

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 124

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