SOCIAL STUDIES

Be A Teacher

Do you want to teach History/Social Studies and Civics at the middle and high school level? If so, this concentration in Political Science is for you. Given the interdisciplinary nature of political science coursework, the political science degree’s flexibility, and the importance of civics education, it is a common major for aspiring teachers.

The Praxis II exam required for licensure in social studies demands deep knowledge of history and politics in the US and across the globe, but it also tests 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 Political Science-Social Studies degree requires a total of 49 credit hours: 18 hours in political science, 15 in history, 15 in any field of social studies (HIS, POL, ECON, GEO, PSY, or SOC), 1 hour in a course designed to prepare you to pass the Praxis II exam, navigate licensure, and enter the teaching job market with confidence, .

We also offer a Social Studies minor for students in other degree programs who are interested in adding a supplemental endorsement in Social Studies.

Social Studies Minor

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 Political Science-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.

Master of Arts in Teaching Program

Political Science, BS - Concentration in Social Studies Curriculum

This information is presented for informational purposes. In the event of a discrepancy between this page and the Undergraduate Bulletin, the Bulletin should always be used.

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

View Enlight Core Requirements

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree must complete the following courses in their academic program:

• 8 semester hours of Laboratory Science
• 3 semester hours of Mathematics MA 113 (or higher)
• 6 semester hours of Science and/or Mathematics
• 3 semester hours of additional mathematics above MA 113 or computer applications/programming course

A total of 20 hours is required, and students may not double count credit hours in the above categories.

Major Courses

IS 105 - Social Studies Education and Praxis Lab (1 semester hour)

Government, Civics, & Politics Core (18 semester hours)

• POL 101 - The Study and Practice of Politics
• POL 150 - American Government
• POL 250 - World Politics
• Select three additional Political Science courses.

History Core (15 semester hours)

Select five history courses.

Social Studies Electives (15 semester hours) HIS, POL, ECON, GEO, PSY, or SOC)

Select five additional courses in Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology.

Additional electives as required to reach 120 semester hours required for graduation.

Note: Students may not double count credit hours across the above categories.

Total Hours Required for a BS in Political Science 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.