Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education

Program Description

The B.A. program in History and Secondary Education at Columbus State University provides basic and advanced content and pedagogical studies that develop expertise in the teaching of diverse secondary social studies students. Students explore important historical themes and concepts, analyze and model effective instructional strategies, and practice the skills they learn in a variety of secondary school settings.

Career Opportunities

The B.A. program in History and Secondary Education leads to entry level certification and qualifies students to teach in grades six through twelve (6-12).

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Teacher Education Program.  During the sophomore year, students intending to complete a teacher education program make formal application to the teacher education program. Normally, this occurs after the student has completed three semesters of full-time course work. Application is made to the  COEHP Office of Student Advising and Field Experiences.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program is based on the following:

• Completion of EDUC 2130: Exploring Learning and Teaching (or approved equivalent) with a grade of "C" or better
• Completion of 45 earned semester hours in the core with an overall GPA of 2.50 or better on all transcripts and a CSU GPA of 2.50 or better
• Completion of nine earned semester hours at Columbus State University with a minimum institutional GPA of 2.5 (required of all transfer students)
• Satisfactory performance on the GACE Program Admission test or an exemption based upon satisfactory scores on the SAT (1000 combined score), ACT (43 combined score), or GRE (1030 combined score)
• Good academic standing during the semester in which admission is requested
• Completion of FBI background check with fingerprints indicating no criminal record or discharge from the armed services that could prevent recommendation for teacher certification
• Purchase of the Standard Edition of LiveText at www.livetext.com
• Completion of the Program Entry level (350) of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission's Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment
• Health and PE majors only: Certificate of successful completion of the Health Fitness Test
• Have not been withdrawn, removed from or denied admission to a teacher education program or student teaching at CSU or another institution.
• Failure to disclose information and/or submission of false information may result in immediate dismissal from the College of Education and Health Professions Teacher Education Program.

Additional admissions criteria may be applied at the departmental level. Admission decisions are appealable to the College of Education and Health Professions Undergraduate Council.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of history, curriculum and standards of history education
• Demonstrate knowledge and use of the disciplines of the teacher's specialization
• Demonstrate knowledge of current trends and practices; identify and use research and resources of the field
• Identify and use media and technology
• Demonstrate critical thinking
• Value cultural diversity as an instructional resource and design and implement instruction effective with diverse learners
• Identify and use assessment and evaluation techniques
• Demonstrate a commitment to the teaching profession, lifelong learning and a commitment to the Georgia PSC Code of Ethics for Educators and the NCSS Social Studies Code of Ethics

Additional Program Requirements

To be eligible for CSU's recommendation for a Georgia professional teaching certificate, students must complete a rigorous program of coursework. They also must meet certain other criteria required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Please contact the COEHP Student Advising & Field Experiences office at 706-568-2191 or 706-568-2194 for further information.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5
COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses: Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the extra hour may be used as an elective.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses: *ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
Select one science course with a lab; the other course may be lab or non-lab:

Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3

PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours:18
Foreign Language 2001
Foreign Language 2002
HIST 1111 World History to 1500
HIST 1112 World History since 1500

Select one of the following courses:
HIST 2111 U.S. History to 1865
HIST 2112 U.S. History since 1865

Select one of the following courses:

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 68 
"C" or better required in each course

History Coursework:
HIST 1000 (Five semesters)
HIST 3105 History of Georgia
HIST 3125 Historical Methods
HIST 4795 Senior Research Seminar

Select one 3000-level U.S. History course, one 3000-level
European history course and one 3000-level non-Western world history course.

Select three 5000-level history courses, including one U.S.
History course and either one European history or one non-Western world history course.

Geography and Political Science Coursework:
Select one POLS 3000 or above
Select one GEOG 3000 or above

Education Coursework:
EDUC 2110 Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education
EDUC 2120 Exploring Socio-cultural Perspectives on Diversity in Educational Contexts
EDUC 2130 Exploring Learning and Teaching
SPED 2256 Intro Except. Lrnr in General Ed.

Teacher Certification
EDSE 4205 Teaching Diverse Learners in SS
EDSE 4245 Teaching SS in Grade 7-12
EDUF 4205 Technology for the 21st Century Classroom

Student Teaching Experience
EDCI 4485 Student Teaching
EDUF 4115 Classroom Management

Total Hours Required: 131