School of Education

Professional Education Requirements: Secondary Social Studies Education

The professional program is a full-time, four-semester sequence of education courses and school-based field experiences. The four semesters of professional course work must be followed sequentially and taken in consecutive semesters. Students must enroll in all course work outlined in each semester of the program, even if similar course work was taken at another institution. Students begin the professional sequence in the fall.

Students are expected to have completed most of their major and liberal studies course work by the start of their professional sequence. The structure of the professional sequence allows very little time to pursue remaining course work in these areas. Many students elect to finish their remaining requirements during the summer or after the sequence has been completed.

Students admitted to two areas of certification follow the same four-semester sequence as single certification students; however, students should expect to complete additional requirements during the student teaching semesters. Students will be placed in each of the certification settings within the same school and must complete methods courses for each certification area. Specific combinations of subject areas may result in modifications of these additional requirements. Students admitted to multiple majors or minors must consult with program coordinators in both subject areas to arrange sequence requirements.

The professional program is full time and places heavy demands on students' time and energy. The professional sequence is particularly taxing for students completing certification in two subject areas. Students must make satisfactory progress in their program to continue. This professional judgment is made by faculty program coordinators in consultation with cooperating teachers and supervisors.

Semester 1

• Curriculum and Instruction 506 Strategies for Inclusive Schooling, 3
• Educational Policy Studies 300 School and Society, 3
• Educational Psychology 521 Adolescent Development in Educational Contexts, 3
• Curriculum and Instruction 358 Practicum in Social Studies in the Secondary School, 3. Students will be engaged in practicum activities MWF mornings in local schools.

Semester 2

• Curriculum and Instruction 313 Language and Literacy across the Secondary Curriculum, 3 (meets Comm B requirement)
• Curriculum and Instruction 537 Teaching Diverse Learners, 3
• Curriculum and Instruction 359 Teaching of History and the Other Social Studies, 3
• Curriculum and Instruction, 358 Practicum in Social Studies in the Secondary School, 3. Practicum activities will occur MTWR in local schools. Students spend a minimum of two hours in the school each of the four days.

Semester 3

• Educational Psychology 301 Human Abilities and Learning, 3
• Curriculum and Instruction 559 Advanced Practices in the Teaching of Social Studies, 3
• Curriculum and Instruction 458 Student Teaching in History and Social Studies in the Middle School, 6, OR Curric 459 Student Teaching in History and Social Studies in the High School, 6. Student teaching is a half-time commitment and encompasses an entire semester based on the school district calendar. (Fall semester extends from late August through mid-January; spring semester extends from mid-January through early June.) Students are placed within a 50-mile field experiences service area and may not necessarily be placed in the city of Madison.

Semester 4

• Curriculum and Instruction 458 Student Teaching in History and Social Studies in the Middle School, 12, OR Curric 459 Student Teaching in History and Social Studies in the High School, 12. Student teaching this semester is a full-time, school district semester commitment that usually precludes part-time work or additional course work. See the information under Semester 3 above. This semester's student teaching placement will be in the opposite setting from that of the second semester's placement.
• Curriculum and Instruction 690 Independent Field Work, 1

Additional State Licensing Requirements

Additional Wisconsin State certification and licensing requirements include Minority Group Relations and Conflict Resolution.