Secondary Education/Social Studies Education

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education / Social Studies Education.

Students must complete all coursework and fieldwork requirements needed to make them eligible for Pennsylvania certification in Secondary Education: Social Studies. Passing the required Praxis exam(s) as stipulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education is required to apply for Pennsylvania certification.

Students wishing to complete a second major in History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology or Geography and Urban Studies should meet with a College of Education and Human Development Academic Advisor to declare the desired second major; students may need to take additional courses as defined by the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

Summary of Requirements

University Requirements

All students are required to complete the university's General Education (GenEd) curriculum.

All students (including transfer students) must take a minimum of two writing-intensive (WI) courses at Temple University. Writing intensive course numbers end in 96, 97 and 98.

College Requirements

Students receive a Bachelor of Science in Education degree by meeting the following minimum College requirements:

  • Completion of program requirements as detailed on the academic plan.
  • Earn a "C-" or above in all required Education Courses.
  • Earn a "C-" or above in all required University General Education Courses.
  • Students in Secondary Education must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 2.0 GPA in their second program (major) courses.

For additional college and certification requirements, refer to the College Requirements page.

Major Requirements

EDUC 2103Socio-cultural Foundations of Education in the United States 13
EDUC 2109Adolescent Development for Educators 13
MGSE 2111Applications of Teaching and Learning Theories to Classroom Practice (grades 4-12)3
SPED 2231Introduction to Special Education 13
EDUC 2296Effective Teaching: Theory and Practice (WI)3
EDUC 2306Assessment and Evaluation3
SPED 3187Integrated Literacy and Special Education Practicum3
TESL 3631Principles and Practice for Teaching English Learners3
MGSE 3796Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12) (WI)3
SPED 3211Effective Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities3
SPED 4103Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support3
MGSE 4801Senior Seminar and Performance Assessment in Grades 4-12 Education3
MGSE 4888Student Teaching in Grades 4-129
Total Credit Hours45

Program Requirements for Secondary Education / Social Studies Education

EDUC 1016Mathematics for Educators 14
or MATH 1021 College Algebra
MGSE 3466Methods and Materials in Secondary Social Studies3
MGSE 4465Teaching for Understanding in Secondary Social Studies3
Total Credit Hours10

Academic Content Areas - History, Political Science, Economics, Geography, Sociology and Urban Studies

Second program (major) courses should be chosen in accordance with major requirements outlined by the College of Liberal Arts' relevant Department; requirements can be found in this Undergraduate Bulletin. 

Suggested Academic Plan

B.S.ED. in Secondary Education / Social Studies Education

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2022-2023 Academic Year

(Certain courses require that a student secure clearances as per the College of Education and Human Development policy; students should check the current list of courses that require clearances on the College of Education and Human Development web site.) 

Year 1
FallCredit Hours
ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]34
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ]34
GenEd Breadth Course3
GenEd Breadth Course3
Second Program (Major) Course13
 Term Credit Hours17
Spring
IH 0851 or 0951Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]33
GenEd Breadth Course3
EDUC 2103Socio-cultural Foundations of Education in the United States33
Second Program (Major) Course13
Select one of the following:3, 44
Mathematics for Educators 
College Algebra 
 Term Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall
GenEd Breadth Course3
GenEd Breadth Course3
SPED 2231Introduction to Special Education2,33
Second Program (Major) Course13
Second Program (Major) Course13
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
IH 0852 or 0952Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]33
GenEd Breadth Course3
EDUC 2109Adolescent Development for Educators2,33
Second Program (Major) Course13
Second Program (Major) Course13
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 3
Fall
SPED 3211Effective Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities3
MGSE 3466Methods and Materials in Secondary Social Studies3
EDUC 2306Assessment and Evaluation3
Second Program (Major) Course13
Second Program (Major) Course13
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
TESL 3631Principles and Practice for Teaching English Learners23
EDUC 2296Effective Teaching: Theory and Practice [WI]3
MGSE 4465Teaching for Understanding in Secondary Social Studies3
MGSE 2111Applications of Teaching and Learning Theories to Classroom Practice (grades 4-12)3
Second Program (Major) Course13
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall
MGSE 3796Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12) [WI]3
SPED 3187Integrated Literacy and Special Education Practicum3
Second Program (Major) Course13
Second Program (Major) Course13
Second Program (Major) Course13
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
MGSE 4888Student Teaching in Grades 4-129
MGSE 4801Senior Seminar and Performance Assessment in Grades 4-12 Education3
SPED 4103Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support3
 Term Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours: 123