Psychology with Teacher Certification in Social Studies (Preschool-Grade 12) (B.A.)

Students who wish to pursue P-12 teacher certification in Social Studies must apply to and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Please visit the Teacher Education Program website for the required professional sequence of courses and other important Program requirements, guidelines, and procedures. Students also are strongly advised to review the Teacher Education Program Handbook. The course SASE 401 Methods of Teaching Social Studies is the departmental requirement.

The social studies teacher is expected to have a broad understanding of the cultural and environmental factors which shape the individual and society. To meet the approved program for certification in social studies, course work is required in each of the following:

  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Political Science
  • Religion

A detailed description of the requirements is available in the office of the Social Studies Teacher Education Coordinator in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

120 credits of coursework is required for the baccalaureate degree with a minimum 3.0 overall GPA.  Major GPA requirements differ depending on field of study. Consult the Teacher Education Program Handbook for more information.

Psychology majors must earn a grade of C- or above in all Psychology courses. Psychology course in which grades of less than C- are earned must be repeated and brought up to a minimum grade of C- or they will not count toward the major.

Program Requirements Overview

General Education Requirements21
World Languages and Cultures Requirements3
Major Requirements38
Social Studies Support Courses for Teacher Education21
Teacher Education Program Requirements36
Free Electives1
Total Credits120

Major Requirements

Complete the following with minimum grades of C-
Required Courses
PSYC 101Introduction to Psychology3
PSYC 203Introduction to Psychological Research3
PSYC 220Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychology4
PSYC 301Experimental Psychology4
Electives
Biological Basis of Behavior
Select one of the following:3
Physiological Psychology
Perception
Drugs and Behavior
Comparative Animal Behavior
Motivation
Cognition
Select one of the following:3
Cognition
Human Learning and Memory
Psycholinguistics
Personality
Select one of the following:3
Developmental Psychology I
Psychological Foundations of Personality
Abnormal Psychology
Social/Applied
Select one of the following:3
Social Psychology
Psychology Of Work: Personnel Psychology
Psychology 0f Work: Organizational Psychology
Advanced Electives
Complete 12 credits from the list below.12
Total Credits38

Advanced Electives

Select 6-12 credits from the following:6-12
Genes, Brains, and Behavior
Social Neurobiology
The Teaching of Psychology
Introduction to Psychological Testing
Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making
Forensic Psychology
History and Systems of Psychology
Evolutionary Psychology
Systems of Psychotherapy
Stereotyping and Prejudice
Data Science for Social Scientists
Psychology Honors II
Motivational Interviewing
If not already used, the following may be taken
Health Psychology
Social Psychology
Physiological Psychology
Psychology Of Work: Personnel Psychology
Psychology 0f Work: Organizational Psychology
Perception
Drugs and Behavior
Cognition
Developmental Psychology I
Psychological Foundations of Personality
Human Learning and Memory
Psycholinguistics
Comparative Animal Behavior
Clinical Psychology
Motivation
Abnormal Psychology
School Psychology
200 Level and Other Major Electives
Select 0-6 credits from the following:
The Good Life: The Science of Positive Psychology
Introduction to Community Psychology
Multicultural Psychology
Child Psychology
Adolescent Psychology
Children's Rights and Child Advocacy
Psychology of Adjustment
Psychological Aspects of Human Sexuality
Psychology of Aggression
Psychology of Exceptional Children and Youth
Hispanic/Latino Psychology
Psychology of the Black Experience
Psychology and Law
Psychology of Women
Psychological Aspects of Aging
Introduction to Cognitive Science
Introduction to Cognitive Science
Introduction to Cognitive Science
Introduction to Cognitive Science
Psychology of Leadership: Theory and Application
Special Topics in Psychology
Independent Study I: Research
Independent Study II: Research
Psychology Honors I

Social Studies Support Courses for Teacher Education

EAES 170World Geography3
ECON 100Introduction to Economics3
or ECON 101 Applied Macroeconomics
or ECON 102 Applied Microeconomics
HIST 103Foundations of Western Civilization3
HIST 114Early Latin America3
HIST 117History of the United States to 18763
HIST 118History of the United States Since 18763
HIST 141Introduction to World History Since 15003
Total Credits21

General Education Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.

A. New Student Seminar
Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course.1
C. Communication
1. Writing 3
2. Literature
Experimental Psychology (Fulfilled in the major.)
3. Communication
Fundamentals of Speech: Communication Requirement (Fulfilled in the Teacher Education sequence.)
D. Fine and Performing Arts3
F. Humanities
1. Great Works and Their Influences3
2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives 3
G. Computer Science3
Complete a 3 credit Computer Science course.3
H. Mathematics
Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychology (Fulfilled in the major.)
I. Natural Science Laboratory
Complete a 4 credit Natural Science Laboratory course that also fulfills the Teacher Education Health/Hygiene requirement.4
J. Physical Education
Complete a 1 credit Physical Education course.1
K. Social Science
1. American and European History
History of the United States to 1876 (Fulfilled in the Social Studies Support courses area.)
2. Global Cultural Perspectives
Early Latin America (Fulfilled in the Social Studies Support courses area.)
3. Social Science Perspectives
Psychological Foundations of Education (Fulfilled in the Teacher Education sequence.)
L. Interdisciplinary Studies
Public Purposes of Education: Democracy and Schooling (Fulfilled in the Teacher Education sequence.)
Total Credits24

World Languages and Cultures Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.

World Languages
Based on placement exam, complete one World Languages course.3
Total Credits3

Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion

This four-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years.  This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (A) New Student Seminar1GENERAL EDUCATION: (C2) Literature3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing3GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication3
 4 6
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SASE 3203SASE 3223
SASE 3213 
 6 3
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SASE 4503SASE 4523
SASE 4513SASE 4539
Teaching Methods course(s)3-7 
 9-13 12
Total Credits 40-44