HISTORY & SOCIAL STUDIES
Be A Teacher
Are you looking for a degree that will prepare you to teach History & Social Studies at the middle and high school levels? A History degree with a Social Studies Concentration can get you there.
The Praxis II exam that is required for licensure in social studies demands deep knowledge of US and world history, but it also requires knowledge of US government and politics, plus familiarity with basic concepts from sociology, economics, geography, and psychology. With that in mind, the Social Studies concentration is designed to encourage study in all areas covered by the exam. The History-Social Studies degree requires a total of 61 credit hours, 39 of which are in history. In addition, students take courses in American Government and World Geography, at least one economics course, two additional political science electives, and two additional social studies electives (ECON, GEO, PSY, or SOC). Finally, all students complete a one-hour course featuring Praxis II exam preparation, support navigating licensure, and tips for entering the teaching job market.
We also offer a Social Studies minor for students in other degree programs who are interested in adding a supplemental endorsement in Social Studies.
The Master of Arts in Teaching Route to Licensure
We have partnered with The W's School of Education to create clear pathways to licensure for students who are interested in teaching at the middle and high school levels. Through the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Degree program, students can graduate with all three of the graduate courses required for initial licensure completed, plus a fourth course that gets them closer to completing the master's program. Students must have a 3.25 GPA to enter the Accelerated program, but students with at least a 3.0 can still complete two of the initial licensure courses before graduation, and they can complete the third in the semester following graduation (usually, the summer). After completing the History-Social Studies program, taking the three initial licensure courses, and passing the Praxis Social Studies exam, students admitted to the MAT program as graduate students receive an initial, temporary teaching license.
A typical student in the Accelerated program graduates and enters the MAT program in early May, begins teaching in August, and—after completing the two ED 697 Internship courses that provide mentorship and guidance during their first two semesters teaching—convert their temporary license to a full-fledged Class A license the following May. At that point, they are roughly halfway through the MAT program, and many choose to complete the remaining fifteen hours of coursework in order to convert their license to a Class AA, which comes with a bump up on the Mississippi teacher pay schedule.
Mary Lou Peyton History Scholarships
The Mary Lou Peyton Scholarships provide history students with the resources to enhance their studies at The W through awards for tuition, study abroad, and internships. Awards of up to $10,000 per year help history majors with education-related expenses (tuition, room and board, and books) and are renewable for up to four years. Additionally, awards of up to $5,000 help history students with expenses related to study abroad, internships, and similar opportunities Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis and are open both to incoming freshmen and transfer students. They may be renewed for up to four years.
Enlight Core Curriculum
In keeping with The W's Mission, the general education program, "Enlight Core," provides students with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to become independent, productive members of society in our continually changing world.
The W's Enlight Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts that includes knowledge in the historical, literary, aesthetic, scientific, and cultural traditions that shape the world, and fosters skills that allow students to become civically responsible life-long learners ready to adapt to new challenges.
All students who complete the Mississippi University for Women Enlight Core will demonstrate:
- Critical Thinking
- Effective Communication
- Cultural Literacy
- Quantitative & Technology Skills
- Understanding of Self, Global Societies, & the Natural World
- Life-Long Learning
Bachelor of Arts Requirements
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must include the following courses (or demonstrate equivalent competency) in their academic program:
- Foreign Language 101-102 8 semester hours
- Foreign Language 201-202 6 semester hours
To fulfill the language requirement for the B.A., students must complete the 202 level or above in a foreign language. For information on foreign language placement, see the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy section in the Bulletin. If, upon entering the University, a student already has sufficient background to be successful in 201-202, he/she does not need to enroll in 101-102. The requirement is in essence six hours credit at the 200-level or above.
Major Foundations (12 Semester Hours)
- HIS 101 - World Civilization to 1600
- HIS 102 - World Civilization 1600 to present
- HIS 109 - US History to 1877
- HIS 110 - US History 1877 to present
History Electives (21 Semester Hours)
Select two American History; two European History; two Global History; and one additional history elective.
Civics Core (9 Semester Hours)
- POL 150 - American Government
- Select two additional Political Science courses.
Social Studies Core (13 Semester Hours)
- IS 105 - Social Studies Education & Praxis Lab (1 hour)
- GEO 101 - Elements of World Geography
- Select one Economics course.
- Select two additional courses in Economics, Geography, Psychology, or Sociology.
HIS 211 - Introduction to Historical Thinking and Research (3 Semester Hours)
An introduction to the techniques of historical methodology, and to some of the major literature.
HIS 499 - History Capstone (3 Semester Hours)
A study of the use and abuse of history and historical evidence in a broad perspective, using material which majors have produced in their past coursework, as represented by portfolios of the work. This course requires students to engage in primary and secondary source analysis, archival research, and the completion of an article-length paper.
Total Hours Required for a BA in History with a Concentration in Social Studies: 120 Semester Hours
Note: Students wishing to obtain teacher licensure via the MAT Alternate Route must also complete three graduate Education courses and gain Admission to a Master of Arts in Teaching program in order to receive initial licensure.
Supplemental Endorsements
You can add endorsements to your teaching area by examination or additional coursework. Details for how to add supplemental endorsements can be found at the MS Department of Education website.