History and Social Studies Adolescence Education (SSE) Major (BA/BS)

Description

This single certification major prepares students for initial certification as a Social Studies teacher for grades 7-12 with an extension to teach Social Studies in grades 5 and 6. Students interested in a dual certification as a Social Studies and Students with Disabilities (SWD) Generalist teacher should enroll in the History and Social Studies Adolescence Inclusive Education (SSI) major.

The study of History promotes the knowledge, breadth of perspective, intellectual growth, and skills essential to achieving career success, leading a purposeful life, and exercising responsible citizenship. Social Studies majors develop strong critical thinking, research, communication and problem-solving skills alongside the pedagogical skills that are vital for classroom teachers.

The History and Social Studies Adolescence Education(SSE) Major consists of required core courses, course choices within required categories, and one History elective. That elective can be any upper division (300 and 400-level) History course including History internship, study abroad, digital and oral history, and professional development courses. Students who plan well and take courses that count for general education as well as major or teacher certification requirements may be able to fit in a minor or a semester abroad. Students may have the opportunity to student teach in Alaska or abroad.

Admission to the Program

Students entering the University must meet SUNY System Board of Trustees additional requirements for admission to teacher preparation programs by one of the following pathways:

First Year Students Criteria

  • High School GPA of a B or better or
  • High School Rank in top 30% or
  • SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing+Math) > 1140 or
  • ACT > 24 or
  • Brockport GPA > 3.0 based on at least 12 credits

Transfer Students Criteria

  • High School GPA of a B or better or
  • High School Rank in top 30% or
  • SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing+Math) > 1140 or
  • ACT > 24 or
  • Transfer GPA > 3.0 based on at least 12 credits or
  • Brockport GPA > 3.0 based on at least 12 credits

Program Requirements

Students in the History and Adolescence Social Studies Education (SSE) major pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree and must complete the corresponding degree’s requirements.

Students must also meet NYSED requirements for minimum acceptable grades during completion of the program, including grades of C or above for all content core and pedagogical coursework in the major. Students must re-take courses where grades have not met this minimum acceptable grade standard.

Additionally, students must have an approved Plan of Study filed with the Professional Education Unit prior to beginning their pedagogy fieldwork. Plans of Study should be filed no later than March 1 or October 1 of the semester prior to starting Phase I. Students must work with the Adolescent Education Advisement Coordinator to complete all steps necessary for creating a plan of study.

Academic Planning Seminar (0-3 credits)

General Education Requirements (13-22 credits)

Social Studies Education majors will fulfill their Oral Communication (3 credits), Social Science (3 credits), US History & Civic Engagement (3 credits), World History & Global Awareness (3 credits), World Language (3 credits), and Contemporary Issues (3 credits) requirements through required courses in the major. They may also fulfill the Perspectives on Gender (3 credits), Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Social Justice (3 credits), and Humanities (3 credits) requirements depending on their course selections.

Social Studies Coursework Requirements (48 credits)

Students pursuing certification as Adolescence Social Studies Education teachers must complete the following history, economics, geography, political science, and social and behavioral science courses and may count only one 100-level history course towards their degree program. Only courses in which a student earns a grade of “C” or higher will fulfill these requirements, and 18 of the following history credits must be completed at Brockport. Students entering the University as transfers should talk to their advisor regarding appropriate course credit if they took Western Civilization courses at another institution. All other requirements are the same for transfer students.

*Students may apply to substitute one of the required 200-level seminars with a 100-level survey as follows: HST 110 Survey in Early America (Can replace HST 211); HST 120 Survey in Modern America (Can replace HST 212); HST 130 World History Survey I (Can replace HST 201); HST 140 World History Survey II (Can replace HST 202). Students wishing to do so should see their advisor.

**Students must complete three of the following four course (HST 201, HST 202, HST 211, and HST 212) with a C or better prior to taking HST 390. Students must complete HST 390 with a C or better prior to taking their Advanced American History Course.

Pedagogical and Professional Coursework (43 credits)

Pre- or Co-Phase courses

These courses can be taken prior to Phase I, or in Phase I or II.

Phase 1 Courses

Phase 2 Courses

Phase 3 (Student Teaching)

Electives (4-16 credits)

Total Credits (120 credits)

Continuation Requirements

  • Maintain ≥ 2.0 cumulative Brockport GPA
  • Earn ≥ C in all content core, EDI, PRO, and modern languages courses
  • Complete prerequisite course(s) before moving to the next program phase
  • Minimum grade levels apply to transfer courses. Community college advising guides are available here
  • Demonstrate the dispositions necessary in the teaching profession
  • Acquire and maintain an acceptable level of professional performance
  • A ≥ 2.5 cumulative Brockport GPA is required to student teach

Continuation in the program may be denied to any teacher candidate whose level of performance and/or dispositions do not adequately meet academic or professional standards. Decisions with respect to retention or dismissal of a teacher candidate are made by the faculty and staff of the Department of Education and Human Development, in consultation with the faculty in the Department of History, and not by any one person.

Students should note that admission into most graduate education programs in New York State will require a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Workshops

Students must complete the following workshops and trainings for program completion:

Additional Degree Requirements

  • Completion of all university-wide degree requirements

Licensure & Certification

University Endorsement

Students must complete this program and submit the University Recommendation Request Form to be eligible for the University’s recommendation for New York State certification. Students should consult the Brockport Certification Office for the full list of New York state requirements for certification.

New York State Initial Teacher Certification Exams

Prospective Adolescence Inclusive Generalist Education Teacher candidates must pass the following New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) to obtain initial certification in the State of New York:

Certification Exams

  • Educating All Students (EAS)
  • Content Specialty Test (CST)

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Articulate a thesis in response to a historical problem
  2. Advance in logical sequence principal arguments in defense of a historical thesis.
  3. Provide relevant evidence in defense of a historical thesis
  4. Evaluate the significance of a historical thesis by relating it to a broader field of historical knowledge
  5. Express themselves clearly in writing that forwards a historical analysis
  6. Use disciplinary standards (Chicago Style) of documentation when referencing historical sources

Login