Bachelor of Science Program
Program Code: BS-AS
Major Code: SSS

History and Social Studies Education Department
Cassety Hall 302
(716) 878-5412
history.buffalostate.edu/

Accredited: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) (formerly NCATE)

Enrollment in all teacher education programs follows the guidelines for "Admission to Teacher Education Programs" found in this catalog.  Applicants who do not yet meet all admissions criteria should consult with the department.

The social studies B.S. degree program in secondary education prepares students to meet the educational requirements leading to New York State Initial Certification in Adolescence Education required to teach social studies in grades 7–12. The program supplies a knowledge base that provides the background knowledge necessary for teachers to implement the NYS Social Studies Framework for students in grades 7–12.

Prerequisites for Student Teaching

See prerequisites for SSE 409 and SSE 410.

A departmental honors program is also available. Students should contact the department for additional information.

The social studies content core constitutes a 42-credit major in social studies that consists of study in economics, government, and a minimum of 30 credit hours of study in the history and geography of the United States and the world (see total required credit hours in social studies, below). All program majors are required to complete a minimum of 100 clock hours of field experience related to coursework prior to student teaching. These field experiences consist of observations, individual tutoring, and the teaching of small groups of students under the supervision of certified teachers. These experiences are an integral component of the pedagogical core courses specified in the previous section, with learning outcomes specified and their achievement evaluated by course instructors.

Students complete a minimum of 30–35 clock hours of field experience in each of three courses: SSE 200, SSE 303, and SSE 309. Another course, SSE 488/HIS 488, is available and will be used by transfer students and others who may have a deficiency in field experience. The department has established relationships with several "high-need" urban and suburban school districts where field experiences are held. All majors will have study and experiences that together provide a solid foundation for teaching in high-need schools.

To student teach, students are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the social studies major, as well as obtain a minimum grade of C in SSE 303 and SSE 309. All majors meeting these requirements must enroll in two practicum courses following completion of all other coursework and satisfaction of English and math competency requirements. Placements for these practica include urban and suburban settings. The urban placements may be in high-need districts that provide opportunities for student teachers to work with students from diverse backgrounds, including socio-economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and students who are English-language learners. Experiences include individual and group instruction, daily and long-view planning, unit teaching, classroom management and routine procedures, use of audiovisual aids, community resources, record-keeping, evaluation procedures, and participation in the total school program.

Candidates should consult the Teacher Certification website for current seminars and workshops. https://teachercertification.buffalostate.edu/seminars-and-workshops

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Program Requirements

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Program majors should enroll in an introductory psychology course, such as PSY 101, to satisfy their General Education requirements.  It is recommended that majors take history courses to meet their US History & Civic Engagement and World History & Global Awareness requirements (Note: No more than two courses from the primary major can count in the General Education program).

1. The Learner and Learning Candidates will use understanding of adolescent development, individual differences and diverse cultures to ensure inclusive, student-centered learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
2. The Content Candidates will demonstrate understanding of central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of disciplines to be taught and be able to connect concepts to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity and collaborative problem solving related to authentic issues.
3. The Teacher and Teaching Candidates will use multiple methods of assessment, plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals and use varied an innovative instructional strategy to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content.
4. The Profession and Professional Dispositions Candidates will engage in ongoing professional learning, use evidence to reflect on their own practice, seek appropriate leadership roles and collaborate with families, colleagues, and the community to advance the profession.