The BS program in Teaching Social Studies, Grades 7–12, prepares a new generation of middle and high school teachers who are equipped to generate real student interest in history, the social sciences, and the challenges of active citizenship.
Since history is the core discipline in the social studies curriculum of New York and many other states, NYU’s program includes an extensive historical study to introduce students to global and US history and then enable them to develop an area of specialization, such as modern Europe, and complete advanced coursework and a research seminar (in small class settings). To build a cross-disciplinary understanding of society and civilization, students in the program take a wide range of courses in the humanities, social sciences, world language, natural sciences, and mathematics.
The curriculum’s coursework in educational methods builds on this strong foundation in the social sciences and humanities. As a student develops expertise, for example, in American history, his or her education classes examine ways to use this knowledge to teach the subject effectively to middle and high school students. Social studies courses familiarize aspiring teachers with ways to integrate history, literature, and the arts and how to involve students in inquiry-based history workshops that engage them in analyzing historical controversies and primary sources. The program emphasizes how community studies and local history can involve students in major research projects that relate to their own lives and neighborhoods. In addition, social studies program teachers encounter the latest programs to foster political engagement via service learning and discover the most innovative methods and materials being used in social studies classes. Other education coursework instructs on managing student reading and writing problems. The curriculum ensures that graduates enters teaching with a strong grasp of the special education and educational policy issues that affect schooling.
Students graduating from the program are eligible for New York State teacher certification for grades 7–12, with an extension for grades 5-6.
Departmental Honors: Senior Honors Seminar for students with at least a 3.5 GPA, cumulative and major, culminating in an honors thesis based on faculty-supervised independent research
New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.
Note: History Seminars must fall into the following areas: 1 U.S., 1 European, and 1 non-West. One of these must be pre-1800. If a student is pursuing the three-course sequence in one area, then the two unrelated History classes (History 101 and Advanced History class) must be taken in each of the other two areas.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
Build relationships with students and families with the goal of fostering student learning, engagement and well-being.
Integrate theory/research with pedagogical and classroom practice.
Develop and implement discipline-based curricula, unit plans and lessons that are coherent, use culturally relevant pedagogies, and foster experiential learning.
Create and apply classroom strategies that are explicit, innovative, appropriate for a specific context, and use technology to support student learning.
Develop a practice that is equitable and inclusive and acquire the skills of a professional educator.
Policies
Program Policies
Fieldwork Placement
Be advised that fieldwork placement facilities that provide training required for your program degree, and agencies that issue licenses for practice in your field of study, each may require you to undergo general and criminal background checks, the results of which the facility or agency must find acceptable before it will allow you to train at its facility or issue you a license. You should inform yourself of offenses or other facts that may prevent obtaining a license to practice in your field of study. NYU Steinhardt will not be responsible if you are unable to complete program requirements or cannot obtain a license to practice in your field because of the results of such background.
Transfer Students
Students who transfer to the Teaching & Learning Department with 32+ credits will have one math and one science course waived in the following programs:
Childhood/Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education
Teaching English, 7-12
Teaching Social Studies, 7-12
Teaching World Language, 7-12
Students will be required to complete a liberal arts elective in place of the waived math and/or science course.
Grading Policies
Students can review the Department of Teaching and Learning Academic Policies in the Undergraduate Advising Guide.
Pass/Fail
Undergraduate students can only pass/fail Liberal Arts and Unrestricted Electives or CORE-UA courses not being used to fulfill a content area. Students are not permitted to pass/fail more than one course per semester and cannot pass/fail more than 16-20 credits total (depending on the program of study).
Minimum Grades
All students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA to maintain good academic standing. Students who fall below that mark for the semester GPA or overall GPA will be reviewed by the Committee on Student Progress.
Students must meet the following grade minimums in each program in order for classes to satisfy degree requirements:
Childhood Education/Childhood Special Education
A minimum grade of B- in all Specialized Pedagogical Core Courses, and a minimum grade of C in Common Pedagogical Core Courses.
A minimum grade of C in Liberal Arts Content Core Courses.
Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education
A minimum grade of B- in all Specialized Pedagogical Core Courses, and a minimum grade of C in Common Pedagogical Core Courses.
A minimum grade of C in Liberal Arts Content Core Courses.
Teaching English 7-12
A minimum grade of B- in all Specialized Pedagogical Core Courses, and a minimum grade of C in Common Pedagogical Core Courses.
A minimum grade of C in all English Content courses.
Teaching Mathematics 7-12
A minimum grade of B- in all Specialized Pedagogical Core Courses, and a minimum grade of C in Common Pedagogical Core Courses.
A minimum grade of C in all Mathematics Content courses.
Teaching Science 7-12
A minimum grade of B- in all Specialized Pedagogical Core & Common Pedagogical Core course requirements.
A minimum grade of C in Specialization Core Courses (BIOL-UA, CHEM-UA, PHYS-UA, ENVST-UA, and MATH-UA).
Teaching Social Studies 7-12
A minimum grade of B- in all Specialized Pedagogical Core & Common Pedagogical Core course requirements.
A minimum grade of C in all History, ECON-UA 1 & Politics courses.
Teaching a World Language 7-12
A minimum grade of B- in all Specialized Pedagogical Core Courses, and a minimum grade of C in Common Pedagogical Core Courses.
A minimum grade of C in all target language courses.
Student Teaching Seminars
A minimum grade of B- in all student teaching seminar courses: