Social Studies Education (Major)

Learn to share your fascination for history, geography, government, or economics with students.

Instill an understanding of complicated systems and subjects of our world into young minds. Learn to educate diverse subjects to young minds from a Christ-centered perspective. Choose a required concentration to specialize in, where you can learn about topics like the American government and macroeconomics, and how to make these topics accessible and interesting to middle and high school students.

Taylor University's Social Studies Education program will teach you how to discipline, assess, and manage your own classroom. You will begin observing and assisting in the classroom during your freshman year and continue gaining more responsibility during your 500+ hours in the classroom before your student teaching experience. Your senior year, you will spend a semester teaching at two different schools and grade levels.

By graduation, you will be equipped with the top-notch tools necessary to teach social studies and feel comfortable in your own middle school or high school classroom.

Social Studies Education Degrees

  • BA in Social Studies Education
  • BS in Social Studies Education
  • Degree

View Curriculum

Build Skills In:

  • American and world history
  • International and domestic politics
  • Global geography
  • Ethnic and minority issues
  • Adolescent and education psychology
  • Effective teaching practices

Career Opportunities:

  • Middle school history teacher
  • High school history teacher
  • Middle school social sciences teacher
  • High school social sciences teacher

Launching into Your Classroom

Education majors spend a full semester of their senior year teaching students locally or internationally. Each Education student teaches at two different schools, preparing you to manage your own classroom after graduation.

Meet an Alum

Social Studies Education Curriculum Guides & Degree Options

Taylor faculty in the History, Global & Political Studies Department and Education Department provide hands-on mentorship, supporting students in and beyond the classroom.

The curriculum guides below outline required courses and degree requirements for each academic program.

Students interested in course descriptions and academic policies can check out our Undergraduate Catalog.

Social Studies Education majors take additional history electives and complete one of the following required concentrations:

Economics

Learn how economics works on the local, national, and international levels and discover how it interacts with other areas of society.

Geographical Perspectives

Learn how geography has impacted history and the development and expansion of civilization.

Government and Citizenship

Gain an understanding of governmental functions and citizens’ roles and responsibilities.

Historical Perspectives

Gain a broad and comprehensive understanding of historical concepts, terms, and sources, and know how to help your students apply that information to the 21st century.

Psychology

Study the inner workings of the mind and how it affects human behavior. Earn an additional certification to teach psychology in secondary schools.

Sociology

Study the building blocks of societies—culture, philosophy, family structure, etc.—and how societal differences impact inter-societal relations.

A Taylor liberal arts education will prepare you to live and work in a fast-changing world. It also goes a step further: laying a strong spiritual foundation that cultivates wisdom. You’ll become a well-versed individual, equipped with critical thinking skills, a lifelong love of learning, and an appreciation for God’s creation.

View Foundational Core Curriculum.

  • American Enterprise Institute Council

    Taylor’s branch of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Council allows students to get involved in a national organization, make professional connections, participate in advanced research projects, and promote political discussions across campus.

    Learn About AEI

  • Study Abroad

    Taylor’s History, Global, and Political Studies programs offer opportunities to study global history, economics, politics, and culture overseas. Students interested in studying abroad can spend a semester in Latin America, Spain, London, and more.

    Explore the World

  • Joel Bierre

    Class of 2016

    “Taylor gave me a long-lasting and amazing community. It’s unique to see that community extending beyond. Because of this expectation of what community looks like, it’s been easier to be intentional about that here in Memphis.”

Related Majors

Social Studies Education is part of the History, Global & Political Studies Department

Contact
Kevin Johnson
Department Chair and Associate Professor of History & Global Studies

765-998-5302
[email protected]

Contact
Melissa Jessup
Department Chair and Associate Professor of Education

765-998-5226
[email protected]

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