As the definition of the National Council for the Social Studies (right) suggests, becoming a secondary social sciences teacher offers the possibility of working with students on important and interesting topics, events, and ideas. University of Nebraska-Lincoln students in secondary social sciences education complete general education requirements and substantial study in each of the social sciences and history as well as pre-professional coursework in education as majors in the College of Education and Human Sciences. Students admitted to the Teacher Education Program in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education complete their studies with a three-semester sequence of professional education coursework and field experiences, including practicum and student teaching.

Students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who complete a degree in secondary social sciences education are eligible for certification in the state of Nebraska and elsewhere.* This broad field certification is for teaching the following subjects in grades 7-12:

  • Anthropology
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

*Requirements vary by state and some may require additional coursework

Information on related professional organizations (many have student memberships available as well as teaching materials and upcoming conference announcements)