Secondary Education B.S. (Social Science)

 The BS. in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies Education prepares students for rewarding middle school or high school teaching positions in social studies. The program develops graduates committed to effective instruction that supports the intellectual, social, and personal development of all learners. A final component of the program is a student teaching internship. Graduates of the program are qualified to apply for state certification to teach social studies in grades 7-12 in Pennsylvania.

Contact Information

Nate Taylor, Ph.D. 
Associate Professor of Education 
taylorn@rmu.edu
412-397-5917

4-Year Course Plan

Freshman Year, Fall

• Any Intro Science Course
• HIST1100 U.S. History I
• MATH2010 Fundamental Concepts of Math
• EDUC1500 Foundations of Education+ TR 2-3:15
• CSEN1010 Reading & Writing Strategies OR CSEN1020 Argument & Research*
• FYSP1000 First Year Experience (1 cr.)

Obtain three required clearances
* Depending on placement test
+ Co-requisite Field Placement

Freshman Year, Spring (18 credits)

• ELIT1040  Reading Lit: Coming Of Age
• HIST1200 U.S. History II
• STAT2110 Statistics
• ECON2100 ED Psych & Class Mgmt. + MWF 3-3:50
• CSEN1020 Argument And Research OR CSCM 1030 Public Speaking and Persuasion*

Take PAPA or CORE Exam if needed
* Depending on placement test
+ Co-requisite Field Placement

Sophomore Year, Fall (15 credits)

• HIST1700 World Civilizations I
• POLS1020 American National Government
• ECON1030 Principles of Microeconomics
• EDUC2200 Technology For Teachers MWF 11-11:50
• CSCM1030 Public Speaking and Persuasion OR CSCM2040 Professional Communications in the Workplace*

* Depending on placement test
Apply for Candidacy Status

Sophomore Year, Spring (15-18 credits)

• GEOG1020 World Geography
• HIST1800  World Civilizations II
• HIST3400 Pennsylvania History**
• PSYC1010 General Psychology
• SDIN2010 Intro to Sp. Education PreK-12+ MWF 1-1:50
• CSCM2040 Professional Comm. in the Workplace OR CSCM Intercultural Communication*

* Depending on placement test
** This course only offered in spring, some summers

Junior Year, Fall (15 credits)

• POLS1030 Comp./Contemporary Political Systems  OR POLS1040 International Relations
• SOCI1010 Principles of Sociology
• HUMA1010 Humanities: Art And Music
• EDUC3165 Teaching English Language Learners+
• EDUC3400 Curriculum Design/Instruction+ TR 9:30-10:45

+ Co-requisite Field Placement
POLS1040 & 1030 offered on alternating years only

Junior Year, Spring (15-18 credits)

• ANTH1010 or ANTH1020
• HIST3700 Developing World
• PSYC3530 Adolescent Development
• EDUC 3600 Educational Assessment TR 12:30-1:45
• SDIN3020 Tchg in Inclusive Class: PreK-12 + F 9-11:50

Apply for Pre-Student Teaching
+ Co-requisite Field Placement
Pre-Student Teaching typically TR all day

Senior Year, Fall (15 credits)

• POLS1030 Comp./Contemporary Political Systems  OR POLS1040 International Relations
• SPED3050 Tchg St w/High Inc Dis M 9-11:50
• EDUC4150 Content Specific Pedagogy/SS Methods
• EDUC4060 PreSt Teaching & Seminar M 4-5
• SOSC4800 Senior Research Project

Take Praxis Exam
Apply for Student Teaching

Senior Year, Spring (12 credits)

• EDUC4200 Student Teaching Seminar (3 cr.)
  EDUC4550 Student Teaching Internship: Social Studies (9 cr.)

Apply for Graduation & PA Certification

Admission Requirements

To receive acceptance to Robert Morris University's education programs, students must meet one of the following sets of academic criteria listed here:

• Freshmen
• Transfer (internal or external)

Additional admission requirements for RMU education programs are available on this page.