Skip to main content
Penn State Harrisburg
Report a Concern Visit Apply Give
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Programs
  • Admissions and Financial Aid
    • Office of Admissions
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Research
  • Information For
    • Future Students
    • Parents & Families
    • Alumni & Supporters
    • Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Workforce Professionals
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Harrisburg
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Report a Concern Visit Apply Give
  • This is Penn State
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Academic and Administrative Leadership
    • Chancellor's Office
    • Board of Advisers
  • Academics
    • Academic Calendar
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Degrees
    • Accelerated Degree Programs
    • Fast-Track Degree Programs
    • Minors and Undergraduate Certificates
    • Graduate or Postbaccalaureate Certificates
    • Education Certifications and Endorsements
  • Admissions
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
  • Research
  • Athletics
  • Student Life

Find Information For:

  • Future Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni & Supporters
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Workforce Professionals

Helpful Links

  • Contact Us
  • Give Today
  • Directory
  • Events Calendar

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • flickr
  • youtube
  • instagram
  1. Home
  2. School of Behavioral Sciences and Education
  3. Teacher Education
  4. Secondary Education: Social Studies (Certification)

Courses

Education Course Requirements (21 Credits Required)

  • EDUC 820: Learning Theory in the Classroom (3)
  • EDUC 400: Cultural Awareness and Diversity Practices in the K-12 Classroom (3) (Offered During the Fall Term Only)
  • EDUC 415: Teaching Secondary Social Studies (3) (Offered During Fall Term Only)
  • EDUC 458: Behavior Management Strategies For Inclusive Classrooms (3)
  • EDUC 459: Strategies For Effective Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms (3)
  • EDUC 466N: Foundations Of Teaching English As A Second Language (3)
  • EDUC 495: Student Teaching Internship (3)

Field Experience Requirements (2 Options)

Option One: Candidate-directed Experience

  • Post-bacc candidate arranges own clinical observation experience over the course of the first year, with required documentation and assignments. This can be and is often accomplished by serving as a substitute teacher.
  • Take EDUC 495: Student Teaching Internship (3 credits) in the final semester.

Option Two: Year-long Clinical Residency

  • Participate in the year-long clinical residency during the final academic year in the program. This includes enrolling in EDUC 495: Internship (1 credit) in the Fall semester and EDUC 495: Student Teaching Internship (3 credits) in the Spring semester. *Residency can only run from fall to spring.

Social Studies Requirements

  • Take and pass the Praxis Social Studies: Content Knowledge (5081) exam by the beginning of the second semester in the program.
  • Take and pass with a C or better any social studies content coursework deemed to be necessary based on transcript analysis and background (to be determined during the intake interview). Such coursework may include courses in American and world history, geography, economics, political science, and others.

Secondary Education: Social Studies (Certification)

  • Curriculum
  • Courses
  • Program Contacts
How to Apply
more info

Teacher Education Programs

Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.)
English (B.Hum.)
Mathematical Sciences (B.S.)
Secondary Education Social Studies (B.Sosc.)
Teaching and Curriculum (M.Ed.)
Instructional Coach (Endorsement)
Mathematics Coach (Endorsement)
Reading Specialist (Certification)
Secondary Education: English (Certification)
Secondary Education: General Science (Certification)
Secondary Education: Mathematics (Certification)
Secondary Education: Social Studies (Certification)
PK-12 Special Education (Certification)
English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist (Certification)
Literacy Leadership (Certificate)
Elementary Education (PK-4) (Certification)
Elementary Education (4-8): English (Certification)
Elementary Education (4-8): Mathematics (Certification)
Elementary Education (4-8): Social Studies (Certification)

See Also

  • Post-Baccalaureate Applicant Evaluation Criteria
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State campuses with Penn State Harrisburg highlighted

Penn State Harrisburg

A comprehensive college in southcentral Pennsylvania offering more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs.
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • flickr
  • youtube
  • instagram
Visit Apply Give
  • This is Penn State
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Academic and Administrative Leadership
    • Chancellor's Office
    • Board of Advisors
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Degrees
    • Academic Calendar
  • Admission
    • Office of Admissions
    • Housing Options
    • Veterans Services
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Office of Student Aid
    • Bursar's Office
  • Research
    • Office of Research and Outreach
    • Harrisburg LaunchBox
  • Student Life
    • Office of Student Engagement
    • Division of Student Affairs
    • Student Initiated Fee
  • Community Safety & Health
    • University Police and Public Safety
    • PSUAlert
    • Weather Policy
Penn State University
777 West Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057 717-948-6000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Directory
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2025
  • We Are Penn State