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Social Studies, B.A., B.S.

Format: Face To Face Credits: 120

The major in Social Studies is designed for students seeking teacher certification in secondary, middle school, or elementary education.

Visit the program website for more information.

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Program Overview

Social Studies students choose from either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

Students seeking teacher certification also complete the professional program offered by the College of Education. Students seeking elementary teaching certification also complete a minor in elementary teaching. The major meets State of Michigan content standards for teacher preparation in Social Studies.

Students seeking the B.A. must demonstrate third-semester proficiency in a foreign language.

Visit gvsu.edu/socstudies for details.

Why Study Social Studies at Grand Valley?

  • Social Studies majors study the world from a variety of perspectives giving them strong interdisciplinary training.
  • Social Studies majors are prepared to tackle the teaching of a complex subject in a changing world.
  • Social Studies majors are attractive to schools that seek to hire teachers able to teach a variety of courses in social studies.
  • Social Studies majors work closely with social studies faculty to learn the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching social studies.

Location & Format

Undergraduate students in this major study at Grand Valley's Allendale Campus.

Format:
  • Face To Face

Coursework

All Social Studies majors complete the core courses. Students also complete courses in Social Studies teaching strategies. Students seeking secondary teaching certification also complete additional coursework. The major includes credit hours in:

  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Political science
  • Social Studies teaching methods

Career Options

Upon completion of the Social Studies major and professional program major, students seeking teacher certification in Social Studies at the secondary, middle school, or elementary levels are well-qualified to begin their teaching careers.

Combined Degree Programs

This undergraduate degree can be combined with a master's degree to save you time and money, and get you into the workforce sooner. On average, students save $8,500 in our combined degree programs and take up to four fewer classes than if earning the degrees separately.

You can even build your own combined degree from programs in different disciplines to further personalize your education and meet specific career goals.

Admission Requirements

Visit the Admissions website for undergraduate requirements.

Helpful Links

For More Information

Social Studies Program

gvsu.edu/socstudies
Mackinac Hall D-1-160
(616) 331-3298

Admissions Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

 

“I have significantly improved as a global citizen through the group Social Studies major at GVSU. The program has been invaluable as it has taught me how to analyze local, national, and global events of the past and present in order to make educated decisions from an array of paradigms with regard to potential solutions and outcomes.”

JOSH DURAM
SOCIAL STUDIES ALUMNUS