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B.A. in Secondary Education (7-12) - Social Studies
York, Pennsylvania
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Secondary Education (7-12) with a Social Studies concentration at York College of Pennsylvania is a comprehensive program designed to prepare future educators to guide middle and high school students in confronting historical and political threads, and to think critically about the past, present, and future. This program goes beyond basic history and geography, delving into diverse subjects including politics, economics, and cultural studies, from ancient civilizations to modern global issues. Graduates are equipped with both the robust subject knowledge across various social sciences and the practical pedagogical skills needed to bring these subjects to life for their students, leading to professional teacher certification for grades 7-12.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the B.A. in Secondary Education (7-12) - Social Studies is carefully structured to provide a broad and deep understanding of the social sciences alongside comprehensive professional education coursework. Students engage with core concepts and contexts in history, political science, geography, economics, psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Key content courses often include Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, and Psychology. Students also choose a concentration in an area like Civics & Government, Economics, or Geography, which can qualify for a second academic minor. Simultaneously, they complete professional education courses covering adolescent development, instructional strategies, classroom management, assessment, and special education. Extensive field experiences, culminating in a full semester of student teaching, are integral to the program, providing invaluable hands-on practice.
Research Focus: The "research focus" within the Secondary Education (7-12) - Social Studies program at York College is primarily applied and pedagogical, aimed at improving teaching practices and understanding social studies content. While students will conduct traditional research within their social science disciplines (e.g., historical inquiry, political analysis), a significant emphasis is placed on educational research methods. This includes researching effective instructional strategies for diverse learners in social studies, analyzing curriculum development, evaluating assessment techniques, and staying current with best practices in social studies education. During student teaching and associated seminars, pre-service teachers often engage in action research or reflective inquiry to refine their teaching approaches based on evidence and student outcomes, ensuring they are prepared to make data-informed decisions in their classrooms.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a cornerstone of the Secondary Education program, robustly preparing students for careers in the K-12 education sector. The program places a strong emphasis on early and continuous field experiences, allowing students to observe and participate in middle and high school classrooms from their initial semesters. These experiences culminate in a mandatory full-time student teaching residency, where students assume the responsibilities of a classroom teacher under expert supervision. York College maintains strong partnerships with local school districts, facilitating these placements and providing valuable networking opportunities. Faculty often have extensive experience as former educators, offering real-world insights and connections to the professional teaching community.
Global Perspective: The B.A. in Secondary Education (7-12) - Social Studies program at York College of Pennsylvania inherently fosters a strong global perspective. The curriculum delves into diverse subjects such as world history, comparative politics, geography, and cultural studies, from ancient civilizations to modern global issues. This broad exposure encourages students to confront common threads through history and politics that connect us globally. Furthermore, the program prepares future teachers to guide their own middle and high school students to think critically on a global scale. Through the study of diverse cultures, economies, and political systems, and with opportunities such as "Student-Teaching Abroad," graduates are exceptionally well-prepared to teach in an increasingly interconnected world and foster global citizenship among their students.
Location
York, Pennsylvania
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
USD 26920
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 58 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
York College of Pennsylvania offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students in achieving their academic goals while easing financial burdens. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and other special talents among international applicants.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students applying to York College are considered for merit-based scholarships automatically during the admissions process. These scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements, standardized test scores, and overall application strength. High-achieving students can receive significant tuition discounts, which help make studying in the U.S. more affordable.
International Student Scholarships: York College provides dedicated scholarships for international students, which may include renewable awards throughout the duration of their degree program. These scholarships acknowledge the diverse backgrounds and contributions international students bring to the campus community.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain academic departments at York College offer scholarships to students who demonstrate exceptional performance or promise in their chosen field of study. International students are encouraged to explore these opportunities by contacting their academic departments directly.
York College of Pennsylvania's Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Secondary Education (7-12) with a Social Studies concentration is a comprehensive and highly practical program, preparing graduates to teach a wide range of social science subjects to middle and high school students.
Middle School Social Studies Teacher (Grades 7-8): Teaches various social studies subjects, including history, geography, and civics, to middle school students, fostering critical thinking about the world.
High School Social Studies Teacher (Grades 9-12): Instructs high school students in subjects such as U.S. History, World History, Government, Economics, Sociology, or Psychology, preparing them for college and civic engagement.
Curriculum Developer (Social Studies): Designs and revises social studies curricula for school districts or educational organizations, ensuring alignment with state standards and incorporating effective teaching strategies.
Educational Technology Specialist: Helps integrate technology into social studies instruction, guiding teachers on using digital tools for research, presentations, and interactive learning experiences.
Instructional Designer (Educational Content): Creates engaging and effective learning materials, modules, or online courses related to social studies for various educational platforms or publishers.
Youth Program Coordinator (with educational focus): Develops and leads educational and civic engagement programs for adolescents in non-profit organizations, community centers, or after-school initiatives.
Archivist/Museum Educator (with focus on history/social studies): While a public history degree is more direct, a social studies education background can be beneficial for roles in museums or archives focused on educational programming and historical interpretation for younger audiences.
Government Analyst (Entry-Level): Leverages knowledge of political science and public policy, as well as research and analytical skills, to support government agencies in research or administrative roles.
Private Tutor (Social Studies/Test Prep): Provides individualized or small-group tutoring in history, civics, economics, or standardized test preparation (e.g., AP History, SAT/ACT social studies sections) to students.
School Administrator (Entry-Level/Future Roles): With additional graduate study and teaching experience, graduates can pursue leadership roles such as Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, or Department Head within a school.
