Information for Prospective Majors in Social Science Teaching
A Major for Teachers
Our major for teachers prepares you to teach history, economics, geography, and government
in middle or high school. The major hones both your knowledge of these topics and
your teaching skills.
Fulfills Key Requirements for Teaching Credential Programs
To teach in California public schools, you must earn a preliminary teaching credential.
Majoring in social science automatically fulfills two key admission requirements to preliminary teaching credential programs in social science:
- It establishes that you have “subject matter competency” in social science. You will not need to take the California Subject Test Exam in social science to gain admission.
- It fulfills your “early field experience” in a public school.
Two Pathways to a Preliminary Teaching Credential
The Traditional Path
- 4 years of undergraduate
- 1 year of a post-baccalaureate credential program
The Accelerated Curriculum for Educators (ACE)
- 3.5 years of undergraduate
- 0.5 years (one semester) of a post-baccalaureate credential program
The Curriculum
- Develops your foundation in history, political science, economics, and geography through lower-division courses.
- Deepens your knowledge of topics such as world history and U.S. government through upper-division courses.
- Hones your teaching skills through courses such as U.S. History for Teachers.
View the requirements for the major.
The requirements are the same for both the traditional path and ACE.
Social Science is Also a Pathway to Special Education Teaching
If you want to be a Special Education Teacher, Social Science can help. Majoring in
Social Science fulfills the “subject matter competency” requirement for the Preliminary
Credential for Special Education. For more information, email [email protected].
A Scholarship for Future Teachers
Future teachers may apply for the Dr. Clare B. and Loch Crane, Sr. Endowed Scholarship. This fellowship is open to all enrolled Social Science majors except those who are graduating in the semester when the application is due. Scholarship amounts vary, but have often ranged from $500 - $5,000.
The deadline is typically late August or early September. More information is available on Aztec Scholarships.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you can major in any subject. You must, however, establish “subject matter competence” in Social Science to be admitted to a preliminary teaching credential program in Social Science. Majoring in Social Science automatically establishes your competency in Social Science. You will not need to take the Social Science California Subject Examination for Teachers (“CSET”).
If you major in a field other than Social Science, however, you will need to establish your Social Science competency another way. You could pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) in Social Science. Alternatively, you could take undergraduate courses that show that you have mastered the content tested by the Social Science CSET. Each School of Teacher Education decides for itself if your coursework fulfills the state’s requirements. For more information, email [email protected].