1. Overview
The Social Studies Education major and licensure program are designed for students who have a desire to teach social studies in public high schools and middle schools. It is a contract major; students must meet with Education Department faculty to design their curriculum plan and consummate the contract.The Major
Social Studies Education is a twelve-course major consisting of prescribed course combinations. It is made up of a four-course primary core in economics, history, political science, psychology or sociology/anthropology, plus one or two courses in the remaining four content areas and two professional education courses.
The Teaching License
Students seeing a teaching license in social studies must add to the major prescribed history, social science, and education courses designated to meet Minnesota licensure standards. The licensure program is designed to extend student development in disciplinary content and in pedagogy which meet or exceed Minnesota Board of Teaching Rules 87410.4800: Standards for Teachers of Social Studies.
2. General Advice for Majors:
This is a large major, made larger when seeking to earn a teaching license. Therefore, begin taking social science courses as early as possible. A Professional Education Plan, in consultation with an Education Department advisor, should be completed and submitted to the Department of Education immediately upon choosing social studies education as a major. Review the general requirements and procedures outlined in the Education section of the College Bulletin. Although the major is a requisite for licensure, the major can be earned without choosing to seek a teaching license. With careful planning, it may be possible to complete a second major.
3. Tips on Scheduling:
Begin content-area courses in the First year. Note that the SSE license program includes at least three history courses and two courses in the other social sciences. It is often best to take Education 290 (the prerequisite for all Education courses) during Spring Semester of Sophomore year (it cannot be taken earlier) or Fall Semester of Junior year if student teaching is scheduled during the "ninth semester." Education 330 must be taken prior to Education 365. Schedule Education 365 for the Spring semester immediately prior to the year student teaching is scheduled. Education 375 (0.5) and Education 372 (0.5) can be but need not be taken the same semester. Be aware of required courses offered Spring Semester only: Education 365, Geography 232, History 191, 196, and 206. History 205 is offered Fall Semester only. The Professional Semester (Student Teaching plus Education 381 and 385 can be scheduled for Fall or Spring Semester, and during the senior year or the 'Fifth year." Consider scheduling an Education Interim to meet the human relations requirement. Education 330 satisfies the ORC core curriculum requirement.
4. Non-Major Information:
In addition to courses, license requirements include passing Praxis I and Praxis II standardized tests, observation/teaching in school classrooms which accompany Education courses, and an on-site observation/teaching experience in a setting of diversity. Currently there are three off-campus Interim courses involving classrooms with diversity; other options for meeting the requirement can be discussed with Education faculty.
5. Contact Persons:
Dr. John Welckle, Department of Education (FH 34, extension 3473, welckle@stolaf.edu)Maria Kelly, Department of Education (FH 35, extension 6722, kellyml@stolaf.edu)
Dr. Myron Solid, Department of Education (FH 32, extension 3474, solid@stolaf.edu)
