Bachelor of Arts in Education in Social Studies Education
Course descriptionDescription The B.A.E. degree with a major in social studies education prepares graduates to be eligible for certification in Mississippi to teach social studies subjects in grades 7-12. Graduates may also teach other subjects by gaining supplemental endorsements. (
* Minimum Total Credit Hours for Degree: 122
General Education Requirements
The core/general education requirements for the B.A.E. degree are as follows: 6 hours of English composition (Engl 101, Engl 102 or Liba 102); 6 hours of American or English literature; Math 121 or higher; a 3-4 hour biological science course with laboratory; a 3-4 hour physics, astronomy, or physical science II course with laboratory; a 3-4 hour course in geology, chemistry, or physical science I; one additional 3- hour course in mathematics or science; a 3-hour course in fine arts (appreciation or history of); one additional 3-hour course in fine arts; 6 hours of history; 3 hours of humanities (from among classics, modern languages, philosophy, religion, literature, history, Southern studies, gender studies, linguistics, or African-American studies); Psy 201.
Course Requirements
The requirements for the B.A.E. with a major in social studies education are as follows:
Content Area Courses (33 hours)
- His 101, 102, 105, 106, 330 (15 hours)
- African or African-American history 300 level or above (3 hours)
- European history 300 level or above (3 hours)
- History research seminar, His 400, 450, or 490 (3 hours)
- Latin American history, His 334, 345, 346, 347, or 388 (3 hours)
- Asian history, His 394, 395, 396, or 397 (3 hours)
- History elective, 300 level or above (3 hours)
Related areas (18 hours)
- Pol 101 (3 hours)
- Econ 202 and 203 (6 hours)
- Geog 101 (3 hours)
- Soc 101 (3 hours)
- Pol 102 or 316 (3 hours)
(*Admission to Phase II of the Teacher Education Program is required before taking these courses.)
* Other Academic Requirements Admission to Phase II: Professional Education Core
Students who wish to enter a teacher education degree program must submit a formal application for admission to Phase II to the Office of the Dean of the School of Education. Requirements for admission to teacher education are as follows:
1. Completion of 45 semester hours. Students are responsible for submitting grades to the Office of the Dean for courses taken at other institutions.
2. A grade-point average of 2.75 or above on the 45 semester hours described above. Those who meet the test requirement (see below) and have at least a 2.50 but less than the 2.75 on the core may appeal to the Admissions Committee by submitting a portfolio that should include an essay and examples of successful experiences working with children. Information regarding the details for appeal is available for qualifying students. An on-site writing test is required in the appeal process.
3. Appropriate scores on the Praxis 1: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) or SAT or ACT scores (see below):
- PPST scores required: Reading-170; Writing-172; Math-169.
- Students who provide proof of an SAT composite score of at least 860 or an ACT score of at least 21 with no subtest score below 18 may be admitted to the teacher education program without PPST scores. ACT or SAT scores must be from tests taken prior to admission to a college or university.
4. A formal application for admission to Phase II must be filed in the Office of the Dean by the deadline date announced.
5. Approval by the Teacher Education Committee. Criteria for acceptance include requirements 1-4.
Admission to Phase III: Student Teaching
To be admitted to student teaching, a student must meet the following requirements:
1. Admission to Phase II: Professional Education Core.
2. A minimum grade of C in professional education courses. If this minimum of C is not met, the course(s) must be retaken before enrolling in the next level of professional education courses.
3. Completion of all but two courses in the teaching field (not including electives) with a minimum grade of C. Candidates missing more than the maximum of two courses with the minimum grade of C can submit a letter of appeal to the director of field experiences. A committee will convene to consider the appeal.
4. Completion of 15 hours in residency at The University of Mississippi (includes Tupelo and DeSoto campus centers).
5. Completion of courses taken by correspondence for admission to student teaching.
6. Evidence of professional liability insurance.