|
|
2024-2025 General Catalog
History: Teaching Emphasis - BA
|
|
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department of History
About This Degree
The History Department has been recognized by the American Historical Association as one of 12 outstanding history departments in the United States and Canada, selected for its “brilliant teaching and leadership.” The department’s strongest areas include the modern American West, classics, early modern Europe, and the Atlantic World.
USU history majors have the opportunity to work in-depth on undergraduate research projects. Students learn how to conduct and present their research all while taking advantage of faculty mentoring, study abroad opportunities, and more. Students learn the skills needed to research, analyze, think critically, and communicate clearly – all of which are highly valued skills in various career paths. About one-third of history graduates from USU go on to teaching, while two-thirds go into law, medicine, or business fields.
History Teaching Emphasis: This emphasis is for students interested in teaching, particularly in secondary education. Students will complete history courses and will also be required to take a number of classes that will prepare them to be educators.
|
Minimum University Requirements
Admission Requirements For This Program
- New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.
- Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU must have a 3.0 GPA.
Major Requirements
History Teaching Emphasis requires 36 credits in history (HIST) and completion of the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP).
Minimum GPA for Admissions: 3.0, Major; 3.0 Cumulative
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 3.0, Major; 2.0, USU
Number of Required Credits: 36, plus the Secondary Teaching Education Program (STEP)
History Teaching Emphasis Majors must complete at least five introductory survey courses, two required methods courses, and a number of upper-division electives. Additionally, students must complete the STEP program and graduate with a 3.0 overall GPA for licensure recommendation to be made by USU to the Utah State Board of Education. Major requirements may not be taken for a pass/fail grade except for those STEP courses that are only taught pass/fail.
The History Department does not accept AP credit for use towards the teaching emphasis.
For those students interested in a BA degree, you must complete:
- 16 credits in a single foreign language (see additional options in the Bachelor of Arts Language Track section below.)
History Teaching Emphasis Lower-Division Course Requirements (21 credits)
Complete the following course requirements in sections A, B, C, D, and E with a grade of C or better in each class, for a total of 21 credits.
A. European Perspectives (3 credits)
Complete ONE of the following courses: B. World Perspectives (6 credits)
Complete BOTH of the following courses:
C. American Perspectives (6 credits)
Complete BOTH of the following courses:
D. Utah History (3 credits)
Complete the following course:
E. History of Traditionally Underrepresented Communities (3)
Complete ONE of the following courses:
History Required Methods Courses (6 credits)
Students will complete two required methods courses (HIST 3000 and HIST 4990 ), and they must earn a C+ grade or better in each class to earn credit toward the major.
Upper-Division Course Electives (9 credits)
Students take their remaining 9 credits in 3000- and 4000-level history courses (with a grade of C or better in each class). The upper-division classes provide a more focused, detailed and rigorous examination of historical periods and times.
Any course with a HIST prefix at the 3000 level or above is acceptable as an elective. No more than 3 credits of HIST 4930 may be applied toward the major.
Bachelor of Arts Language Track (16 credits)
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in history requires a minimum of proficiency in a foreign language. This proficiency may be established in one of the following ways:
- 16 credits in a single language; or
- Documentation of a proficiency level the equivalent of 2020 or better through an examination administrated by the USU Department of Languages, Philosophy, and Speech Communication; or
- Completion of any upper-division foreign language course constituting a third-year course of study with a grade of C or better.
For non-native English-speaking students only, the following options are available:
- Successful completion of the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) program for international students; or
- TOEFL, Michigan, or IELI placement scores high enough to meet the University admission criteria.
Note: Demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language will not meet the foreign language requirement for the BA degree in History.
Required Courses for the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) (35 credits)
To begin the admission process to the STEP, students should see their advisor at least two semesters before they begin Level I coursework. STEP admission deadlines are March 1 for Fall and October 1 for Spring. Please contact the College of Education for minimum grade requirements.
Licensure Notification
This program typically leads to licensure and was designed to meet licensing qualifications in the state of Utah. If students wish to work in another state within the United States, they should review the qualifications for that state and the Education Licensure Compliance Table provided by School of Teacher Education and Leadership.
For more information, please contact the School of Teacher Education and Leadership at https://cehs.usu.edu/teal/
Additional Information
Requirements for a Teaching Minor: Since the teaching of history requires an understanding of many fields of human behavior, students must select a teaching minor for teaching licensure.
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.
Suggested Degree Map - History: Teaching Emphasis BA
|
|
|
