COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Science Education at Wright State University is a structured teacher preparation program designed to prepare students for licensure and careers as middle and high school social studies educators in Ohio. The program combines a broad liberal arts foundation with specialized coursework in history, political science, geography, and education, ensuring that students develop both strong content knowledge and effective teaching skills. Students begin with university core requirements that include writing, economics, political science, history, mathematics or logic, and natural sciences, along with additional integrated writing and global learning components that build communication and analytical abilities. The departmental core introduces students to the education profession through early field experiences, educational psychology, cultural responsiveness, and inclusive education, helping them understand how students learn and how classrooms function in diverse settings. In addition to foundational history courses covering U.S. history before and after 1877, students complete advanced history coursework in multiple regions and develop methodological skills through historical analysis. Political science coursework includes topics such as international politics, American government, civil liberties, and constitutional law, while geography courses provide grounding in both physical and human geography to support a well-rounded understanding of global systems. Students also complete foreign language study through the 2020 level, which may include American Sign Language or other languages, strengthening communication and cultural competency. Additional education-focused methods courses emphasize assessment, critical thinking, and instructional strategies necessary for classroom effectiveness. The program requires a minimum of 120 credit hours, with elective space often replaced by licensure coursework for students admitted to the teaching certification pathway. Overall, the degree integrates academic content with professional education training and supervised field experiences, preparing graduates to become knowledgeable, reflective, and effective social studies educators capable of teaching across multiple disciplines in secondary education environments.