Political Science, Social Science, Secondary Education
Degree Requirements
Review Degree RequirementsÂ
The Political Science, Social Science, Secondary Education major is a cooperative program with the College of Education, through which students earn certification to teach government, as well as a second field, usually History, since that combination offers the most employment possibilities, Economics or Sociology could also be your second field.
It is possible to obtain teacher license reciprocity if you plan to move outside of Idaho after graduation.
In this major, you will take courses in Political Science and History, in addition to spending time taking courses in the College of Education and engaging in fieldwork in Government and History. The fieldwork portion of your teaching program will take part over your last three semesters: Block 1: early field placement; Block 2: internship; Block 3: student teaching.
The successful graduate will be certified in the state of Idaho to teach American Government /Political Science for grades 6-12, and History (6-12) or Economics or Sociology. Learn more about the Secondary Education Program.
Suggested Plan of Study, with History as the second endorsement field
First Year
Fall Semester
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| FW: ENGL 101 | 3 |
| UF 100 | 3 |
| FM Course | 3-4 |
| HIST 111 | 3 |
| FS: POLS 101 | 3 |
| - | - |
| Semester total | 15-16 |
Second Year
Fall Semester
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| FH Course | 3-4 |
| UF 200 | 3 |
| FN: No Lab | 3 |
| HIST 101/102/103/104/121/141/369 | 3 |
| POLS 200 | 3 |
| - | - |
| Semester total | 15-16 |
Third Year
Fall Semester
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| POLS 305/306 | 3 |
| POLS 404/405/406/407/446/447 | 3 |
| HIST 101/102/103/104/121/141/369 | 3 |
| (Regional History Course) | 3 |
| (Regional History Course) | 3 |
| - | - |
| Apply to Teacher Ed | - |
| Semester total | 15 |
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| ED-CIFS 401 | 3 |
| ED-CIFS 405 | 3 |
| ED-LLC 444 | 3 |
| ED-CIFS 400 | 1 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| - | - |
| Semester total | 16 |
Total Program Credits: 121-3 Credits
Praxis test MUST be passed prior to student teaching.
UF classes can be taken in a different order, this is just a guide.
First Year
Spring Semester
| Spring | Credits |
|---|---|
| FW: ENGL 102 | 3 |
| FS: ED-CIFS 201 | 3 |
| FC: COMM 101 | 3 |
| FN Course | 3 |
| FN Course lab | 1 |
| HIST 112 | 3 |
| - | - |
| Semester total | 16 |
Second Year
Spring Semester
| Spring | Credits |
|---|---|
| FA Course | 3 |
| EDTECH 202 | 3 |
| POLS 205 | 3 |
| POLS 300 | 3 |
| (Regional History Course) | 3 |
| - | - |
| Semester total | 16 |
Third Year
Spring Semester
| Spring | Credits |
|---|---|
| ED-CIFS 301 | 2 |
| ED-CIFS 302 | 4 |
| ED-ESP 350 | 3 |
| POLS 414 | 3 |
| POLS 404/405/406/407/446/447 | 3 |
| - | - |
| Apply to Professional Year | - |
| Semester total | 15 |
Fourth Year
Spring Semester
| Spring | Credits |
|---|---|
| ED-CIFS 485 | 14 |
| - | - |
| Semester total | 14 |
Student Teaching
During student teaching, you will gradually take over all responsibilities for classroom instruction. You will document some results of your teaching and your reflections about your teaching in a portfolio of work samples. These, and the recommendation of your cooperating teacher are often the center of your job application file.
Application Information
Requirements for Teacher Education Application
- Completing ED-CIFS 201 and ED-TECH 202
- Completing general requirements and within a few semesters of completing major content.
- Cumulative GPA, Major GPA, and Education GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Letter of Application
Applications are due the Third Friday in September. An interview will be required prior to admittance. More information can be found in the resource section of this page.
Requirements for Professional Year Application
- Completing ED-CIFS 301 and 302 as well as ED-ESP 350
- Cumulative GPA, Major GPA, and Education GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Passing scores on the PRAXIS II [Test #5931] for Political Science and second endorsement area
- Resume, background check, and fingerprints
Applications are due the First Friday in February. More information can be found in the resource section of this page.
Contact Information
Contact Dr. Stewart Gardner
stewartgardner@boisestate.edu