Social Studies Education
Social Studies Education
Social Studies (SS ED) is a Secondary Education certification option that leads to initial teacher licensure (Level I provisional, Grades 7–12) in Pennsylvania. (Through reciprocity agreements between states, it often is possibly to transfer a PA license to many other states. For more details, contact the Department of Education of the state in which you are interested in teaching.) Our students receive subject-matter content preparation through Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, and other social sciences coursework, while learning about the curriculum and teaching of these fields in two social studies methods courses (SS ED 411 and SS ED 412W). This coursework is in addition to other courses required by the Secondary Education program.
Individuals who already possess a Bachelor degree and wish to acquire initial teacher licensure in Social Studies may apply for Post-Baccalaureate Certification. Students admitted to this route will need to complete required Education and content-area coursework (Economics, Geography, History, Political Science). The exact number of classes depends on the applicant’s transcript of prior coursework (taken at Penn State or elsewhere). Though the coursework is at the undergraduate level, Post-Baccalaureate Certification is technically a graduate program. Typically it takes 2 years (4 consecutive semesters) to complete. Admissions are decided by competitive application, and numbers are limited each year by available space in the SS ED area. For individuals who already have developed interests in social studies theory, research, and curriculum and are committed long-term to the teaching profession, it is possible to combine Post-Baccalaureate Certification with a Master’s Degree program.
It is also possible for applicants who previously completed a Bachelor degree from Penn State to apply for re-enrollment from the University Registrar’s Office to pursue an undergraduate sequential major in Secondary Education–Social Studies. More details and links to forms are available on the Registrar’s website (http://www.psu.edu/dus/handbook/sequential.html). This route has all the same requirements as the regular undergraduate program. Once readmitted, it is possible to begin taking some classes right away, but formal entrance to the Secondary Education–Social Studies major is processed every March only. Methods courses (SS ED 411 and 412W) and field placements (CI 495) can be enrolled for only after formal entrance to the major. Upon completion, this route leads to a B.S. in Secondary Education as well as initial teacher licensure. The coursework and tuition are at the undergraduate level. The length of time needed will depend on the applicant’s transcript of prior coursework, but typically at least 2 years (4 consecutive semesters) are necessary.
All certification programs require student-teaching placements. The initial placements (CI 295, CI 495C) are part-time and done while taking regular coursework. Some placements are up to an hour away from campus, so it is very useful to have your own transportation. The final student-teaching practicum (CI 495E) is full-time and no other coursework can be taken that semester. For secondary certification, many final student-teaching placements are located outside Philadelphia (in Bucks and Montgomery counties) or near Pittsburgh. It is the candidate’s responsibility to relocate to the assigned area and arrange transportation.
Contact:
Dr. Scott Metzger
The Pennsylvania State University
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
160 Chambers Bldg.
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-4443
