Social Studies

  • Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (B.A., B.S.)

The major in social studies is designed for students seeking teacher certification in secondary, middle school or elementary education.

Program Offerings at Grand Valley

Social studies students chose from either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Students seeking teacher certification also complete an appropriate minor and the professional program offered by the College of Education. The social studies major meets State of Michigan content standards for teacher preparation in social studies. Students seeking the B.A. must demonstrate third-semester proficiency in a foreign language. Visit www.gvsu.edu/socstudies for details.

Coursework

All social studies majors complete the core courses and select an area of emphasis from the component disciplines. The major includes credit hours in:

  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Political science

Career Options

Upon completion of the social studies major with a teachable minor, students seeking teacher certification in social studies at the secondary, middle school or elementary levels are well-qualified to begin their teaching careers.

Why Study Social Studies at Grand Valley?

  • Social studies is attractive to schools that seek to hire students who are able to teach a variety of courses.
  • The social studies capstone is the course designed to be the culmination of the major, putting students' learning experiences to practical use in the classroom.
  • Our students graduate from Grand Valley prepared to tackle the demands required by educators.
  • The major meets State of Michigan content standards for teacher preparation in social studies, which require at least six credit hours and two courses in each of the four disciplines and at least 18 credits and six courses in one of the four areas.

For More Information

Social Studies Program
www.gvsu.edu/socstudies
(616) 331-3298
Admissions Office
www.gvsu.edu/admissions

“I have significantly improved as a global citizen through the group social studies major at GVSU. The program has been invaluable as it has taught me how to analyze local, national, and global events of the past and present in order to make educated decisions from an array of paradigms with regard to potential solutions and outcomes.”

JOSH DURAM
SOCIAL STUDIES ALUMNUS

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