2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Group Social Studies
For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section in this catalog.
The major in social studies is designed for students seeking teacher certification. The major coursework is in history, economics, geography, and political science as well as in the social studies specific pedagogy.
The social studies major with elementary emphasis prepares students to teach social studies in Michigan kindergarten through grade eight. Students must also complete the elementary education minor and the education major for elementary certification. The social studies major meets State of Michigan content standards for teacher preparation in social studies.
The social studies major with secondary emphasis prepares students to teach social studies in Michigan grades six through 12. Students are not required to complete a teaching minor but may choose to do so. Students must also complete the education major for secondary certification. Students may also choose to pursue a second major in history. The social studies major meets State of Michigan content standards for teacher preparation in social studies.
Students must complete a substantial portion of the major, including SST 309 or SST 310 and SST 311, before admission to the College of Education and Community Innovation. The College of Education and Community Innovation requires that candidates for admission present an overall GPA of 2.7 as well as a GPA of 3.0 in the major and minor.
Students who decide not to seek teacher certification may complete the group social studies major and receive a bachelor's degree without completing the professional program in education by meeting the university's minimum requirements.
Transfer and postgraduate students seeking a teachable major in group social studies should consult the CLAS Advising Center for an evaluation of their previous work. Post-baccalaureate students must present a record substantially equivalent to that required of Grand Valley State University undergraduates; such students whose previous academic work is not equivalent to the Grand Valley program must take additional courses to meet those requirements. Post-baccalaureate students seeking admission to the College of Education and Community Innovation's undergraduate professional program must also take SST 309 or SST 310 and SST 311 before admission to the College of Education and Community Innovation.
Program Requirements
The following program is available: