PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

Standard 1 — Content Knowledge (G: 1,2,3)

Candidates demonstrate understanding of the social studies disciplinary domains, including:

• History
• Geography
• Civics and government
• Economics
• Psychology and sociology
• Anthropology and political science

Candidates understand how these disciplines integrate to support civic competence.

Standard 2 — Disciplinary Inquiry (G: 1,2,3)

Candidates can engage students in inquiry-based social studies, including:

• Developing compelling and supporting questions
• Using primary and secondary sources
• Applying disciplinary tools and concepts
• Constructing arguments and explanations

Aligned with the C3 Framework.

Standard 3 — Instructional Practice and Pedagogy (G: 1,2,3)

Candidates:

• Plan and implement meaningful social studies instruction
• Use culturally responsive and inclusive practices
• Promote discussion, debate, and multiple perspectives
• Integrate literacy and technology effectively

Standard 4 — Assessment (G: 1,2,3)

Candidates can:

• Design formative and summative assessments
• Assess disciplinary thinking and inquiry skills
• Use assessment data to guide instruction
• Provide feedback that supports civic reasoning

Standard 5 — Professional Responsibility and Ethics (G: 1,2,3)

Candidates:

• Demonstrate ethical practice
• Engage in reflective teaching
• Collaborate with colleagues and communities
• Advocate for social studies education

Standard 6 — Civic Engagement and Democratic Practice (G: 1,2,3)

Candidates promote:

• Civic participation and democratic values
• Media literacy and critical consumption of information
• Respectful dialogue on controversial issues
• Student engagement in civic life

The Basic Teaching Concentration

The Basic Teaching Concentration in Secondary Education Teaching -History is a degree designed for individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree and appropriate coursework for social studies. Successful completion of the program will lead to a master’s degree and can lead to state certification. It is anticipated that students would complete the 36-semester hour program in one calendar year of full-time study, beginning with the summer pre-session. However, students may begin the program during the fall or spring semesters.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with appropriate coursework in history and in other social science content areas with an overall GPA of 2.8 or higher from an accredited institution of higher education.

Prerequisite Undergraduate Courses

Students should provide evidence of meeting outcomes in educational measurement and developmental psychology (Slippery Rock University’s SEFE 338, Standards-Based Instruction & Assessment in the Inclusionary Classroom and SEFE 342, Educational Psychology for Diverse Learners, satisfy this requirement). Although the vast majority of accepted students exceed the minimum GPA requirements, students not meeting these criteria may be considered for conditional admission. Conditionally admitted students, however, must meet all of the prescribed program requirements before conferral of degree candidacy.

Basic concentration Undergraduate Competencies

Students in the basic concentration who meet admission requirements and have more than three undergraduate competencies will be offered conditional admission. While completing these competencies, students will be registered as post-baccalaureate students.

Degree Completion Process

There are five steps to completing a master’s degree at Slippery Rock University. Students must:

1. Obtain unconditional admission status.
2. Be approved for degree candidacy (students must successfully complete between 6 and 12 credit hours in a declared program of study).
3. Pass appropriate comprehensive examinations.
4. Complete research requirements.
5. Complete requisite credit hours.

Note: All required sections of Praxis II must be completed and passed prior to enrollment in Seminar and Supervised Teaching in the Secondary School. Upon completion of these five steps, the student will be required to apply for graduation before the end of the semester in which he or she wishes to graduate.

All candidates completing this program and student teaching are eligible to receive Pennsylvania certification after achieving a passing or qualifying score on Pennsylvania Department of Education required exam(s). If you are interested in teaching in another state, please contact the Department of Education in that state.

Related Links

Teaching History Leading to Certification - Basic Concentration, MEd Program Page

Secondary Education History Fact Sheet

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Pedagogy
SEFE 522	Teaching of Middle Level and Secondary Social Studies and the Engl Language Arts for the Humanities	3
SEFE 607	The Theories and Teaching of English Language Learners	3
SEFE 677	Directed Field Experience in Secondary Schools	3
Technology
Select one of the following:		3
SEFE 647	Technology-Based Inquiry in Middle & Secondary Schools
SEFE 653	Emerging Web Technologies and Learning
Educational Measurement
SEFE 671	Measurement, Testing, and Assessment	3
Educational Foundations
Select one of the following:		3
SEFE 609	History of Western Education
SEFE 680	Crucial Issues in Education
Research And Statistics
SEFE 602	Univariate Statistical Methods	3
Select one of the following:		3
SEFE 608	Research Methods for Teacher
SEFE 696	Elements of Qualitative Educational Research
SEFE 699	Elements of Quantitative Educational Research
Special Education
Select one of the following:		3
SEFE 679	Psychology of Learning and Instruction for Diverse Learners
SPED Course at 600, 700, or 800 level
Supervised Student Teaching
SEFE 701	Seminar and Supervised Teaching in the Secondary School	9
Total Hours		36

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If a student would like to substitute/transfer another course, the course must meet the Chapter 49 Accommodations and Adaptations Standards as covered in SPED 601.

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

Major Code: 929O
UCC 01.17.2026
Revised 02.17.2026