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Secondary Education: Social StudiesMajor

Do you love learning history, geography or economics? How about a desire to help young people discover the origins and complexities of world cultures? In this major, you'll learn to provide high quality instruction in the five areas of the social studies: history, geography, politics, economics and culture.

Overview

What is Secondary Education: Social Studies at WVU like?

Description

Secondary social studies education provides a unique opportunity to engage in the diverse histories of the world, support social and cultural understanding and promote civic competence and engagement.

The Social Studies/Secondary Education major at WVU is an interdisciplinary program. It provides you with a breadth of social studies content through introductory courses in history, geography, economics, political science, psychology and sociology and anthropology.

In addition, it guides you in pedagogy through advanced classes in both content areas of social studies and professional education classes with many hours in local schools, observing, tutoring and student teaching. As a result of carefully sequenced and assessed learning opportunities, you are exposed to the different methodologies of a variety of disciplines within social studies education and develop complex research and communication skills.

In four years, you’ll not only have completed the requirements for graduation, but also for teacher certification in West Virginia. Graduates with a social studies major are prepared to make an impact teaching in secondary classrooms, other educational settings or their chosen career path.

At a Glance

Next Steps

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Fast Facts

What makes Secondary Education: Social Studies at WVU unique?

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

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Professional Organizations

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Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Most graduates of this program will go on to teach in secondary classrooms. Some will pursue advanced degrees in history, public administration, education administration and/or special education.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Secondary Education: Social Studies major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Courses

What are the courses like in Secondary Education: Social Studies at WVU?

GEOG 102:
World Regions

Comparison and relationships of world regions. Geographical perspectives of contemporary global problems. Developing regions contrasted with modernized regions and the consequences of their interactions.

HIST 250:
West Virginia

Historical foundations and development of West Virginia, with particular emphasis upon the growth of the government, the economy, and the traditions of the state.

HIST 464:
American Foreign Relations 1941 to Present

America's foreign policy and growing involvement in international relations including the U.S. role in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.

Cost and Aid

How much does Secondary Education: Social Studies at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

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Scholarships

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here is a way for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Secondary Education: Social Studies at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Secondary Education: Social Studies major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

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Request Information

Want to know more about Secondary Education: Social Studies at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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