Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies Education at Indiana State?
A social studies education degree helps students develop the ability to make informed decisions and understand their culturally diverse society, and then to pass that knowledge on to their future students. Teachers who are passionate about history, culture, government, and world events can inspire the next generation to pursue careers of significance and influence.
Teach Students about Citizenship
Social studies teachers educate students about society as it relates to them. The discipline introduces students to politics, citizenship, cultural awareness, geography, history, government relations, economics, and a general knowledge of global affairs. As a social studies education major at Indiana State, you will become licensed to teach these and related subjects to middle and high school students.
Learn from Our Excellent Faculty
Indiana State's instructors are passionate about history and social issues. They actively publish research papers and books on history, culture, government, politics, and social science topics. Your professors will guide your experience through hands-on learning, supervise your student-teaching experiences, and provide you with instruction and resources for other learning activities.
Our small class sizes enable you to receive individualized instruction and mentorship from faculty. And you will have the opportunity to work alongside and collaborate with your professors.
What You'll Learn in the Social Studies Education Program
Our social studies education major provides a solid foundation for teaching middle and high school grade levels. You will receive training in the theory and practice of teaching social studies topics, including economics, geography, government, history, psychology, and sociology. This education prepares you to complete the social studies teaching licensure process in Indiana.
You will take classes in the Department of History and other departments in the College of Arts and Sciences related to your teaching areas of specialization. You will also take education courses in the Bayh College of Education. You can complete our social studies education bachelor’s degree in four years of full-time study.
Your program will conclude with a semester-long student teaching experience completed in both a high school and a middle school setting. To prepare you for student teaching, the program also places you in two early field or clinical experiences at both the high school and middle school levels, something not all teacher-education programs offer, and something that makes Indiana State an outstanding teacher-education institution.
In addition to your general social studies classes, you will complete coursework in at least two specializations.
Specializations
Study traditional economic theory as it relates to specific economic and social issues. Courses focus on economic development, public finance, and the economic history of the United States. Many students choose to pursue a second major or minor in economics from the Department of Economics. This specialization is ideal for students who intend to teach economics to high school students.
Study human and physical geography, and the impact of climate and environmental change. Courses focus on world geography, environmental topics, and economic geography. Many students choose to have a second major or minor in geography and sustainability from the Department of Earth and Environmental Systems. This specialization is well-suited for students intending to teach geography to middle and high school students.
Learn more about American politics as it relates to national, state and local government. Courses focus on American politics, international relations, and state and local politics. Many students choose to have a second major or minor in political science from the Department of Political Science. This specialization is designed to cover topics meeting the standards for students who intend to teach government and political science to high school students.
Explore history as it relates to American and global cultures. Courses focus on world civilization topics, United States history, and a wide range of related historical subjects. Many students pursue a second major or minor in history from the Department of History. This specialization is well-suited for students interested in teaching history to middle and high school students.
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Study general psychology topics as they relate to society and human behavior. Courses focus on social psychology, the psychology of personalities, and abnormal psychology, among other topics. Many students choose to have a second major or an minor in psychology from the Department of Psychology. This specialization is intended for students interested in teaching psychology to high school students.
Explore the study of human social relationships and institutions as they relate to current events and today’s culture. Courses focus on contemporary social problems, sociological perspectives, and global diversity. Many students choose to have a minor in sociology from the Department of Multidisciplinary Studies. This specialization is well-suited for students interested in teaching sociology and social justice to high school students.
Transfer Credit
Indiana State University accepts credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities within the United States, and from selected schools located outside the United States. Credit also may be granted for military training and experience. Previously earned college credit can be applied toward completion of the program per Indiana State's transfer guidelines.
Transfer GuidelinesCareer Possibilities for Social Studies Education Majors
Our graduates are qualified to take the State of Indiana licensing exam for teaching social studies in K-12. Many of our students teach in middle school and high school. Our students are also prepared to pursue graduate studies in history, education, or related disciplines. Graduates who choose not to pursue a teaching career find employment in a wide variety of professions.
Teaching the Next Generation
“I love having the opportunity to talk with secondary students about what goes on around us and their personal worldviews. Indiana State has given me the opportunity and encouraged me to continuously interact with varying ages of students and learn more about being in a classroom as a teacher. The education department at Indiana State includes some of the most kind, supportive individuals who always have fellow educators’ best interest at heart.”
Alumnus Alissa Morrison, ’20, discovered her passion for teaching social studies at Indiana State.
Read about Morrison’s educational journey
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