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Liberal Arts Advisement & Careers

Social Science Teaching

Engaging in the Major

As you progress through your course work you will have multiple opportunities to increase your content knowledge and begin developing your skills as a future educator. As a student you also have numerous opportunities to engage with your major in other capacities. Such as taking advantage of study abroad, internships, and participating in various student organizations and clubs.

Resources for Looking Forward
Competencies and Careers
Recommended course progression
Admission Requirements
Experiential Learning
Scholarships and Funding
Campus Resources

Competencies and Careers

Competencies Developed in the Program
Students in the Social Science Teaching program can expect to develop strong Communication, Information Literacy, and Cultural Navigation competencies. Want to know more about these professional competencies Career Readiness.

Common Career Fields
Social Science Teaching directly prepares students for a career as a secondary educator. Students may also consider careers in other areas of education including administration, curriculum development, and instructional coaching. Social Science Teaching majors may also find success in careers in the private sector as trainers, instructional designers, educational consultants and more.

Meet with your advisor!
Would you like to know more about the program to see if it’s a good fit for your goals? Would you like to know more about your career options? Do you have a career option in mind but you’d like resources to help you chart a path toward that goal? Come with your Academic and Professional Development Manager, Sarah Sauerbier!

Contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center to set up an appointment!

Recommended course progression

Prerequisite Courses:
Start with HIST 201, 202, 220, and/or 221.

It is not recommended that students take more than 2 history content courses a semester.

Plan to take HIST 276R by your second or third semester in the premajor.

Make sure to complete the required background check and fingerprinting at least a month before registration.

2nd to Last Semester
HIST 477 and HIST 478 must be taken concurrently. Students should plan to take both courses in the semester prior to students teaching.

Final Semester
During a student’s final semester they will complete either an internship (Fall only) or student teaching (Fall or Winter).

For an internship students will register for HIST 496R. For student teaching, students will register for HIST 476R.

Both classes are 12 credits and students are expected to have all other coursework completed prior to interning/student teaching.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites
Students plan to complete the following courses prior to applying to the major program.

  • HIST 201
  • HIST 202
  • HIST 220
  • HIST 221
  • HIST 276R

Fingerprinting and Background Check

  • Prior to registering for HIST 276R students must complete a background check and fingerprinting through the Utah State Board of Education.
  • This document provides information on how to complete this process.
  • The fingerprinting and background check is good for 3 years, and may need to be redone if it lapses before student teaching.

How to apply?

  • Students will begin working on their admissions application while in HIST 276R.
  • The application will be available on Educator and can be submitted .
  • Please review the following document for program admission and retention requirements.

Grade and GPA Requirements

  • In order to apply and be retained in the program a student must maintain a GPA of at least a 2.7 or higher.
  • Students are also required to pass all major coursework with at least a “C” grade or higher.

Experiential Learning

Students will have multiple opportunities for experiential learning built into their coursework, but may desire additional opportunities

Experiential Learning Coursework

  • HIST 276R
  • HIST 397 and/or HIST 399
  • CPSE 402
  • HIST 478
  • HIST 476/496R

Study Abroads
Students are not required to complete a study abroad experience, but are always encouraged to explore opportunities for experiential learning.

To see a list of currently offered study abroad programs visit the BYU Kennedy Center Website.

Internships
Students are not required to complete an internship, outside of student teaching, but are always encouraged to explore opportunities for experiential learning.

Resources to find internships:

Part-time/Student Job Opportunities
Teaching Assistant

Often assist professors with teaching and grading responsibilities. TA’s regularly meet with students to provide course help, hold reviews and labs, and assist in grading.

TA’s are required to have taken the course they are assisting with previously, but do not need to have taken it for the same professor they TA for.

The best way to find out about TA opportunities is to talk to professors and departments.

Substitute Teaching

Can be a great way to develop skills in classroom management, as well as begin to identify potential employers and opportunities.

For more information about becoming a substitute in one of our partnership districts please view the following flyer.

Scholarships and Funding

Where to find scholarships for tuition.
University Scholarships

College Scholarship:
FHSS

Department Scholarships:
History Department
McKay School of Education

Where to find scholarships for experiences (study abroad/internships)
Study Abroad Funding
Internship Funding
Utah Student Teacher Stipend (cannot apply until you have started student teaching)

University financial aid options
There are many resources to help you fund your tuition and experiences at BYU. The Financial Aid Office can help!

Campus Resources

History Department: For source questions, faculty contacts, and more, contact the History Department

Handshake Internship and Job Board: To search internships and jobs that match your interests and skills, use Handshake.

Kennedy Center: For International Study programs and funding, contact the BYU Kennedy Center.

Career Director: To get help connecting to employers and alumni, meet with Michael Elrod.

Course descriptions and offerings: To check out which classes will be offered in the upcoming semester, use the BYU Class Search.

Getting Involved

The following clubs and organizations are a great way to connect with people of similar interests and learn about different opportunities on campus.
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Y Teach History Club

Join this club!
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Phi Alpha Theta

Join this club!
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FAQs

  • Due to the prerequisite course work it usually takes students 2 - 3 semesters to apply and be admitted to the program after declaring the premajor.

    • It depends.This major is 80+ credits, which means that when combined with GE, and religion requirements, most students are well above the 120 credits needed to graduate with a bachelors.
    • How long it will take ultimately depends on previous coursework completed, the number of credits you take a semester, and potential plans for study abroad/internship experiences.
    • While it is possible to complete this major in the traditional 4 years, most students take additional spring/summer terms, and/or an additional semester or two.
    • If you are curious about your potential timeline, schedule an appointment with your academic advisor Sarah Sauerbier to work on a graduation plan.

  • YES!
    American Heritage
    HIST 220 and POLI 110
    Global and Cultural Awareness
    SC ED 353
    Civilization 1
    HIST 201
    Civilization 2
    HIST 202
    Social Science
    ANTHR 101/110, ECON 110, HIST 398, POLI 110, POLI 150, POLI 170, PSYCH 111, or SOC 111.

    • Unfortunately no, most AP US History and Concurrent Enrollment US History classes are accepted as GE 220, and count towards the American Heritage requirement.
    • For the Social Science Teaching Major HIST 220 and HIST 221 must be taken as separate classes in a college or university setting. Equivalent courses taken at another college or university can be transferred for credit.

  • If it is an AIP hold, please meet with your academic and professional development manager, Sarah Sauerbier, to get that hold removed. Contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center to set up an appointment with her.
Exploring the Major
Engaging in the Major
Looking Forward
FAQs