Secondary Social Studies Education
Cairn’s Bachelor of Science in Secondary Social Studies Education prepares teacher candidates for the profession of teaching middle school and high school (grades 7-12) in public, Christian, other private, and international schools. In alignment with Cairn’s mission to develop biblically-minded, well-educated and highly competent professionals who serve Christ, the secondary social studies program focuses on educating students how to structure developmentally appropriate learning experiences in an inclusive, supportive environment that fosters the integrated development of the whole person–mind, heart and soul.
Why Study Secondary Social Studies Education?
The secondary social studies program curriculum is designed to develop critical and creative thinking, reflection on practice, and the disposition to engage children actively in their own learning. The curriculum includes three integrated components: a body of general studies to develop a depth in social studies content knowledge; education courses to align learning theory, curricular design and subject-specific methodology practices in social studies; and performance-based school placements for applied, contextual practice in a secondary social studies classroom. Certification includes PA State Secondary Social Studies Instructional I (Grades 7-12) as well as Association of Christian Schools International Secondary Social Studies (Grades 7-12); certification in Special Education 7-12 and/or TESOL K-12 may be added on to the secondary social studies education program.
Why Study Secondary Social Studies Education at Cairn?
- Earn a bachelor’s degree and an MS in Education in as few as five years, all while qualifying for undergraduate financial aid.
- Introduction to education theory and methods courses in the freshman and sophomore years rather than later in the program
- Professors with extensive backgrounds in classroom teaching and student teacher supervision
- Integration of special education, English as a Second Language, and differentiation practices throughout the course of study
- Opportunities for field experiences throughout the program to apply what is being learned in the classroom
- Opportunities to teach or tutor students in one-on-one, local school, and international contexts throughout your program of study
Career Paths
- Secondary classroom teacher (middle school of high school) in public, Christian, other private, or international school
- Special Education 7-12 and/or TESOL K-12 classroom teacher, support personnel, or co-teacher.
- Master degree programs and certification add-ons, such as Reading Specialist, Librarian Specialist, and Business, Computers, and Information Technology (BCIT) Specialist open up the opportunity to specialize.
- Other disciplines, such as Social Work, required State certification, for after-school and tutoring programs.