The B.S. in history/social studies education prepares students to teach social studies at the secondary level (grades 7-12). The program emphasizes the study of history; however, students also complete courses in economics, geography, political science, and history/social studies teaching methods. This combination of classes provides students with the breadth of knowledge that is necessary to pass the Arizona Educational Proficiency Assessment (AEPA) in social studies, which is required for state certification.
The program is most appropriate for students who are certain of a career choice in secondary education and should not be followed by those who wish to teach at the elementary or post-secondary (college or university) levels. Students who already possess a B.A. or B.S. degree in history or one of the social sciences may follow an individualized program to prepare them for student teaching and the AEPA exam. In addition to the courses described above, all students must complete thirty-one hours of class work at Northern Arizona University's College of Education.