Social Studies Composite (Teacher Certification), Bachelor of Arts
Program Overview
This program leads to a profession which requires an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001 This requires that all applicants seeking to become licensed must undergo a criminal background check prior to licensure. Students in this program should check with the College of Education and P-16 Integration on the requirements for a criminal background check prior to student teaching.
As an integral part of a liberal arts education, history courses introduce students to different historical eras, diverse cultures, famous and ordinary women and men, and a variety of geographical settings. Our courses challenge students to think critically, express themselves clearly, and become informed and responsible citizens in an increasingly interconnected world. Students majoring or minoring in history may become teachers or seek employment in business or government. History is an excellent background for those who wish later to go to law school or enter journalism.
Admission requirements for this program beyond university admission requirements.
Admission to the Teacher Education Program at the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability is required for completion of teacher certification requirements with the undergraduate degree. All admission requirements are in accordance to Texas Administrative Code rules §227.10 and the HEA Title II accountability requirements. All applicants must meet the current certification requirements in effect at the time of application, regardless of the catalog year of degree plan. For current admission requirements, application process and timeline visit the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability admissions site.
Progression requirements required for this program.
Teacher Education Program progression requirements include GPA, course grades, certification courses, benchmarks/key assessments and testing. Admission to the Clinical Teaching Program is required for successful completion of the teacher education program. For current clinical teaching program admission, application process and timeline visit the Office of Educator Preparation Accountability clinical teaching site.
Core Curriculum - 42 hours
The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.
The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once.
The courses listed below fulfill core curriculum and major requirements. Students who have completed a core curriculum category with courses other than those listed below will still be required to take the listed course(s) to meet major requirements.
040 Language, Philosophy and Culture - 3 hours
080 Social and Behavioral Sciences - 3 hours
090 Integrative and Experiential Learning - 6 hours
Major Requirements - 57 hours
Required Courses - 15 hours
Social Studies Composite Core
Prescribed Electives - 42 hours
Certain courses below appear in more than one section of the degree plan. The courses and related semester credit hours can only be applied once to the degree
United States History: Colonial America to 1776 - 3 hours
Choose from:
United States History: Early National Period to 1848 - 3 hours
Choose from:
| HIST 3321 | The United States, Revolution, and the New Nation, 1763-1815 | 3 |
| HIST 3322 | Rise of the American Nation, 1815-1848 | 3 |
| HIST 3327 | The American Military Experience | 3 |
| HIST 3328 | History of the American Presidency | 3 |
| HIST 4323 | History of the Old South | 3 |
United States History: Era of Sectional Conflict - 3 hours
Choose from:
United States History: 1877 to the Present - 3 hours
Choose from:
| HIST 3330 | The United States as a World Power | 3 |
| HIST 3324 | The Emergence of Modern America, 1877-1929 | 3 |
| HIST 3325 | Twentieth Century America | 3 |
| HIST 3327 | The American Military Experience | 3 |
| HIST 3328 | History of the American Presidency | 3 |
| HIST 3331 | Women, Gender, and Sexuality in American History | 3 |
| HIST 3332 | Mexican-American History | 3 |
| HIST 3382 | Asian American History, 1849 to 2001 | 3 |
| HIST 4324 | History of the New South since 1877 | 3 |
| HIST 4325 | The United States: War, Prosperity, and Depression, 1917-1945 | 3 |
| HIST 4326 | The United States since 1945 | 3 |
European History - 6 hours
Choose from:
Latin American History - 3 hours
Choose from:
World/Asian/Middle Eastern History - 3 hours
Choose from:
Additional History Electives - 3 hours
Choose an additional advanced History (HIST) courses except HIST 3301
Geography Component - 6 hours
Political Science Component - 6 hours
Choose from:
Social Science Component - 3 hours
Choose from:
Teacher Certification - 27 hours
Area of Certification: Social Studies (7-12)
| EDFR 2301 | Intercultural Context of Schooling | 3 |
| EDUC 3301 | The Teaching Profession and Student Learning in Contemporary Schools | 3 |
| EDUC 3302 | Knowledge of Student Development and Learning | 3 |
| EDUC 3304 | Instructional Planning and Assessment in Culturally Sustaining Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUC 3306 | Evidence-Based Teaching in Positive Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 4306 | Implementing and Assessing Effective Secondary Content Pedagogy | 3 |
| READ 4305 | Disciplinary Literacy in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDUC 4611 | Student Teaching Secondary or All-Level | 6 |
Total Credit Hours: 42
Total Credit Hours: 126
View this program’s recommended roadmap to graduation.
UTRGV Roadmaps are a suggested sequence of courses designed to assist students in completing their undergraduate degree requirements. This is a term-by-term sample roadmap of courses required to complete the degree. Students must satisfy all requirements in their catalog including, but not limited to course prerequisites, grade point average and course grade benchmarks, progression requirements, and graduation requirements.
Students should meet with their academic advisor every semester to discuss their individualized path toward completion. Degree progress within this roadmap depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation and readiness, student time management, work and personal responsibilities, and financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.