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History and Social Sciences Education Major

What is a Major in History and Social Sciences Education?

History teachers encourage students to view the world from multiple perspectives and become informed citizens through courses like United States and World History, Political Science, Government, Geography, Civics, and Economics. They facilitate learning by providing stimulating discussions, readings, and projects. They contextualize and provide structure to help students comprehend and process the significance of difficult social and political issues.

Why Study History and Social Sciences Education at Virginia Tech?

The program is designed to prepare reflective teachers who are ready, willing, and able to facilitate the type of systematic critical literacy work that is a vital part of preparing 21st-century citizens. Inclusive and culturally responsive pedagogy are important aspects of our teacher preparation. Faculty model techniques in their courses that graduates practice in their PK-12 classrooms. We embrace these values in educator preparation: equity and access, reflective practice, and learner-centeredness.

 
Low
Student-Faculty Ratio

 
Top 10
Critical Shortage Areas in Virginia 

 
100%
Graduate Employment Rate

Careers and Further Study

What can you do with a major in History and Social Sciences Education?

Jobs Held by Our Graduates

  • High School Social Sciences (Social Studies) Teacher
  • Middle School Social Sciences (Social Studies) Teacher
  • Education Consultant
  • Private Tutor
  • Online Educator
  • Academic Advisor
  • Museum Educational Outreach

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Virginia Tech discloses whether its educational programs leading to careers that require licensure meet educational requirements for professional licensure in each state, view the determinations for each state here.

Beyond the Classroom

Experiential Learning

Undergraudate Research 

We place a strong emphasis on undergraduate research, so there are many opportunities to submit papers to conferences and publish research in peer-reviewed journals. You can design your own research project, work closely with a faculty advisor to plan a course of action, or you can participate in a collaborative project where you help a faculty member with their research.

Grandizer
Come with us

EDCI 3954/5954: Informal Learning in Northern England.

Coast to Coast: Cultural Curriculum, Creative Technologies, Common People, Coal and Curries (3 credit hours).

History education majors are given priority for the limited spots available!

  • Engage in comparative cultural fieldwork that explores how the cultural curriculum shapes people’s understanding of culture, diversity, representations, and history.
  • Build virtual and augmented reality tours of your explorations.
  • Visit cities and towns, such as: Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Halifax, York, Hull, London.
  • Excursions includes: International Slavery Museum, Radical History Walks, National Coal Mining Museum, National Archives, Football (the people’s game), Brit Rail Adventures, and more!

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students in classroom
Get Experience 

Take advantage of in-classroom opportunities that prepare students for employment immediately after graduation. Students complete student teaching in local classrooms, additional optional field study, and volunteer in the community.

Student

Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree

History and Social Sciences Education Major Requirements

  • African American History
  • World History
  • United States History
  • Digital Planet
  • History of Capitalism
  • Historical Methods or Research Methods in Political Science

Minor and Elective Hours

Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.


120 hrs
B.A. Education

27 hrs
General Education

81 hrs
Major Requirements

27 hrs
Elective


 

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