Social Studies Teacher (7–12), B.A.
Murray Koppelman School of Business
Program Overview
In this bachelor’s degree program, you will take courses in such departments as Africana Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Puerto Rican and Latinx Studies, or Sociology, any of which will provide you with a basis to critically examine historical and contemporary issues. At the same time, you’ll learn how to transmit your knowledge to students and discover techniques to engage all students in diverse, urban school settings.
Major Details
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2025–26 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
Major Requirements
NYSED Program Code: 26754
Students who wish to pursue a bachelor of arts degree in secondary education for social studies teacher must complete a major in one of the following: Africana studies, American studies, anthropology, economics, history, political science, Puerto Rican and Latinx studies, or sociology.
Study must include within the major, or in addition to courses in the major, study in economics, government, and at least 21 credits in the history and geography of the United States and the world, including Secondary Education 3584. Students preparing to become social studies teachers must fulfill the economics and government requirements by taking at least one course (three credits) from among: History 3345, 3410, 3420, 3424, 3430, 3441, 3442, 3450, 3457, or a course in Political Science numbered between 3101 and 3160; and at least one course (three credits) from among: History 3332, 3470, 3472, 3512 or Economics 2002, 2100, 2200, 3102, 3152, or 3202.
The following pedagogical courses in the Department of Secondary Education: Secondary Education 2001, 2002, 3401, 3402, 4408, 3456, 4482 (total of 28 credits).
Consult the Secondary Education section in the Undergraduate Bulletin for additional information on sequencing, pre-requisites and specific requirements (including GPA) to take particular Secondary Education courses.
This program reflects changes in teacher certification requirements recently implemented by the New York State Education Department. Degree programs in adolescence education and include a major in an appropriate department of the college and in the case of social studies may also include an approved selection of interdepartmental courses.
All programs are writing-intensive. These programs reflect changes in teacher certification requirements recently implemented by the New York State Education Department. Degree programs in adolescence education include a major in an appropriate department of the college and in the case of social studies may also include an approved selection of interdepartmental courses.
Completion of an adolescence education program as part of a major in English, one of the appropriate social sciences, a global language, mathematics, or one of the sciences qualifies students for New York State initial certification in adolescence education for grades 7 through 12.
Students qualifying for the initial certification in adolescence education may obtain an extension to teach English, social studies, mathematics, a global language or one of the sciences in grades 5 and 6 by taking Secondary Education 3454.
Admission Requirements and Academic Standing
Students must have a GPA of 2.70 or higher based on a minimum of 30 credits in liberal arts and sciences to take Secondary Education 2001 and 2002.
Students must have a B- in both Secondary Education 2001 and 2002, New York City Department of Education Fingerprint clearance, and a GPA of 2.75 or higher based on a minimum of 30 credits in liberal arts and sciences to continue to Secondary Education 3401, and/or Secondary Education 3402, and/or Secondary Education 3456.
To take Secondary Education 4401, 4404 and 4482, students must earn a B- or higher in Secondary Education 4401–4406, a GPA of 2.75 or higher in their major, and the permission of the head of the program.
Students must earn a B- or higher in Secondary Education 4401, 4404, and 4482 and a GPA of 2.75 or higher in their major.
All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.
Student Learning Outcomes
Social Studies Education graduates have civic competence and social understanding, engage in critical thinking, integrate ideas and disciplines, and carry out powerful and meaningful teaching.
Learning Objectives for Social Studies Education and History
Social Studies Education
- Alignment with Standards for Content and Teaching Mastery
Develop pedagogical-content knowledge in order to support all students including English Language Learners, students with special learning needs, and students from all racial, cultural and gender identities aligned with the National Council for the Social Studies Standards, American Historical Association History/Social Studies/Social Sciences K-12 Standards, New York State Education Department (NYSED) Social Studies Learning Standards and NYSED Next Generation Learning Standards.
- Adolescent Development and Social-Emotional Learning
Develop knowledge of adolescent development and social-emotional learning in order to support students to acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, show empathy, maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions.
- Creating Instructional Plans
Apply knowledge of adolescent learners, learning theory, curriculum design, pedagogy, differentiation, and educational technologies when creating instructional plans that support all students in building historical knowledge, historical thinking, inquiry and literacy in social studies.
- Supporting Diverse, Equitable, and Positive Learning Environments
Informed by the NYSED Culturally-Responsive Sustaining Education Framework, candidates demonstrate they have knowledge of the impact of culture and language on learning, implement culturally responsive practices while fostering a positive learning environment, and develop the skills required for working with colleagues, parents, guardians and communities for the benefits of all students.
- Analysis of Student Work to Improve Instruction
Analyze and evaluate student work for evidence of learning, errors, and misconceptions and use findings to engage in reflective practice supporting the improvement of learning and teaching.
History
Goal 1: Historical Concepts and Content: To help students understand the nature of historical inquiry and the major historical developments that inform the modern world.
- Objective 1: Demonstrate basic knowledge about key historical concepts (such as “objectivity”) and historical terminology (such as “primary source”).
- Objective 2: Demonstrate basic knowledge about key historical actors and events across the department’s distribution requirements.
Goal 2: Historical Skills: To teach students the skills of historical inquiry and expression.
- Objective 1: Articulate a clear research question, assemble a bibliography, and use citations properly.
- Objective 2: Situate an original historical argument within a basic historiographical framework.
- Objective 3: Effectively incorporate primary sources into a historical argument.
- Objective 4: Express basic historical ideas in writing using a clear thesis statement, a well-organized argument, and effective evidence. Students will demonstrate that they have met these goals and objectives by producing work that might include, but will not be limited to, analytical papers, research papers, journals, quizzes, exams, in-class writing assignments, presentations, and discussion.
Degree Maps
To help you pursue your studies in the most efficient manner, and to maximize your efforts to graduate in four years, Brooklyn College has created four-year degree maps for all its majors.
View degree maps for this major and others.
The Support You’ll Find
Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in the Department of Childhood, Bilingual, and Special Education offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Internships and Employers
As a student in the School of Education, you will complete internships in public and/or private schools throughout the New York City region. The internship is a 14-week, full-time, supervised experience designed to hone the requisite skills and knowledge to work as a childhood education teacher.
