Students who wish to obtain licensure to teach courses in secondary schools must major in the specific area they choose.  The students are also advised in their major department.  The students then follow the requirements of the major, the requirements of the university core curriculum, and the professional education requirements. 

Program Goals:  

• That prospective high school social studies teachers will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences for high school social studies students.
• That prospective social studies teachers will show evidence of progress toward higher cognitive-developmental stages.

Program Objectives:   

• To acquire the general knowledge and skills in the social studies content area in order to competently teach and extend the North Carolina Standard Course of Study in Social Studies.
• To develop knowledge and understanding of theories and principles of human growth and development and learning and of their implications for providing developmentally appropriate instruction for high school students.
• To develop an understanding of basic principles of curriculum planning and implementation and to demonstrate the ability to plan and execute varied instructional strategies appropriate for a comprehensive program in social studies.
• To demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to people from diverse backgrounds (race, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, handicapping  conditions, special needs).
• To participate in a series of increasingly complex field experiences designed to develop and refine skills in managing all aspects of the high school social studies teacher's role and to provide the conditions for cognitive-developmental growth.
• To develop the habit of reflecting on experience as a basis for decision-making and as a component of professional growth.
• To demonstrate the use of technological tools and skills for planning, presenting, assessing, and record keeping.

Course Requirements:  

Students have a choice of obtaining a license to teach either history or comprehensive social studies in the secondary school (grades 9-12).  In either case, the student must follow the catalog requirements for that major.  In addition, the student must complete the High Point University Core Curriculum and the required professional education courses for secondary licensure.

History Major with License to Teach Social Studies

A student who desires to become licensed to teach social studies at the secondary level must complete 39 hours in history.  These 39 hours  include the following core courses  in the major: