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Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Secondary Education: Social Studies, BA

Secondary social studies education provides a unique opportunity to engage in the diverse histories of the world, support social and cultural understanding, and promote civic competence and engagement.

The Social Studies/Secondary Education major is an interdisciplinary program. It provides you with a breadth of social studies content through introductory courses in history, geography, economics, political science, psychology, and sociology and anthropology.

This major also prepares you in teaching methods through advanced social studies and education courses, with many hours in local schools for observing, tutoring, and student teaching. As a result of carefully sequenced and assessed learning opportunities, you’re exposed to different social studies teaching methods and develop complex research and communication skills.

In 4 years, you’ll not only complete the requirements for graduation, but also for teacher certification in West Virginia. You’ll be ready to make an impact teaching in secondary classrooms, other educational settings, or your chosen career.

Your Degree Plan

In this major, you’ll learn to provide high quality instruction in the five areas of the social studies: history, geography, politics, economics, and culture.
Take advantage of special options related to this major:

Honors

Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart?

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Secondary School Teachers

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Median Salary: $64,580

Possible Job Titles: English Teacher, Mathematics Instructor (Math Instructor), Social Studies Teacher, Teacher

Areas of graduate study

Graduates have pursued advanced degrees in:

  • History
  • Public administration
  • Education administration
  • Special education

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Secondary Education: Social Studies major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Secondary Education: Social Studies at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Ways to Save

Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Secondary Education: Social Studies, BA is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Start at Another WVU Campus

You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

Explore WVU System

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Request Info

Want to know more about Secondary Education: Social Studies at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

Visit

Experiencing campus is the best way to see if WVU is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.

Apply

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is completing our online application.