Social Studies Overview

General Information
The social studies group major is designed for any student who plans to teach social studies at the elementary or secondary level. The social studies major meets the requirements of the State of Michigan social studies endorsement (RX) and is in compliance with the No Child Left Behind federal legislation.

The social studies group minor is designed for any student who plans to teach social studies at the elementary level. The Michigan Department of Education no longer offers a minor endorsement for secondary teaching.

Specific Information
The Bachelor of Arts with a Social Studies major (40 required credit hours) is designed to meet the state of Michigan’s social studies (RX) endorsement. The RX endorsement requires prospective elementary and secondary social studies teachers to take a minimum of two courses (6 credit hours) in each of the following four areas: economics, geography, history, and political science. In addition, student will develop a concentration (18 credit hours) in one of the four core areas. Coursework is carefully designed to prepare students to effectively teach the K-12 Content Standards for the Social Studies in Michigan’s Curricular Framework.

The Social Studies Group Minor for the Elementary Teacher (24 credit hours) provides students with a firm base (6 credit hours) in each of the following four areas: economics, geography, history, and political science.