General Program Information

Choosing the right major program and course of study is essential to preparing yourself for a successful teaching career. To make an informed decision about the program that best meets your needs, interests, and long term goals, make an effort to understand the opportunities and limits of each program. There is no one right or wrong program. The endorsement for the teaching license you receive will be determined by the major(s) and minor(s) you complete.

To earn a baccalaureate degree, i.e., to graduate from UW-Whitewater, students must complete at least a major and a minor or two majors, or a broadfield program. (Note: The licensure sequence is independent of the degree program; thus, for the purposes of graduation, the licensure sequence does not count as a major. However, some specific courses may count in the licensure requirements and also count in a major, minor, or a broadfield program.)

• BSE in specific content area  (Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology) qualifies a graduate to apply for a content area endorsement for licensure in the major field. These BSE majors require a course of study equivalent to a major in the content area, as well as education-specific courses. These BSE programs also require completion of a university-approved minor. Graduates who complete a minor with an education emphasis may apply for a second content area endorsement for licensure in the minor field.
  • A BSE with a major in one social studies content area and a minor in a second social studies content area (with no additional majors, minors, or concentrations) allows program completers to apply for a secondary teaching license with TWO endorsements, one in the subject area of the BSE social studies major and one in the subject area of the minor. For example, a student completing BSE in Economics with minor in Psychology, could apply for endorsements for teaching Economics and Psychology at the secondary level.
  • See "Teacher Licensing" for a summary of career options with these content endorsements.
• BSE in Broadfield Social Studies with "Disciplinary" Emphasis (For specific Broadfield options, go to the Social Studies Content Programs/Options page and review the Broadfield option for each Social Studies Discipline). This approach qualifies a graduate to apply for a Broadfield Social Studies endorsement for licensure as well as an endorsement in the area of emphasis. The broadfield structure includes completion of the equivalent of a major (34-36 units) in the area of emphasis and the equivalent of a minor (21 units: 12 units in a different social studies content area than the broadfield emphasis, and 9 units in yet another social studies content area) in a distribution of course work from the social sciences, i.e., geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. These Broadfield BSE programs do not require completion of a separate minor. Since the Broadfield BSEs require the equivalent of a major in one social studies content area, graduates may apply for a content area endorsement in that content area, as well as an endorsement for a Broadfield licensure. For example, a student completing the "BSE Broadfield Social Studies with History Emphasis" could apply for a History endorsement for licensure, as well as a Broadfield Social Studies endorsement for licensure.
  • A BSE in Broadfield Social Studies (with no additional majors, minors, or concentrations) allows program completers to apply for TWO endorsements on their teaching license, one in the subject area of the Broadfiled emphasis and another in the Broadfield Social Studies.
  • Students pursuing a Broadfield Social Studies major program could apply for additional content area endorsements for each area of concentration. A concentration is equivalent to a minor in a social studies content area.
  • See "Teacher Licensing" for a summary of career options with these licenses.

Recommendations:

• One recommended approach is to seek a BSE major in a specific content area (e.g., Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology), a minor in another of the Social Studies content areas (e.g., one of the six areas listed above) and 9 credits in a third social studies content area. This program would enable the pre-service teacher to apply for a license with endorsements in three secondary social studies content areas:
  • an endorsement in the social studies content area of the BSE major.
  • an endorsement in social studies content area of the minor, and
  • an endorsement Broadfield Social Studies license.
  With proper planning, this Social Studies major/minor and 9 units in a third social studies content area strategy involves completing a few more units than pursuing a Broadfield Social Studies with an emphasis in a single social studies content areas. However, by pursuing this Social Studies major/minor program and 9 credits in a third social studies content area approach you can apply for endorsement for an additional, third license in the area of the minor. Since holding additional endorsements is quite valuable and marketable, the extra course work may be worth it.

• An even more marketable approach is to seek a BSE major in a specific content area (e.g., Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology), a minor in another of the social studies content areas (e.g., one of the six areas listed above) and a second minor in yet another social studies content area. This would enable you to apply for endorsements for four secondary social studies content areas:
  • an endorsement in the social studies content area of the BSE major (e.g., History BSE),
  • an endorsement in social studies content area of the first minor (e.g., Political Science),
  • an endorsement in social studies content area of the second minor (e.g, Sociology), and
  • an endorsement for Broadfield Social Studies.
  This Social Studies major/ double social studies minor strategy involves completing a few more units than pursuing a Social Studies major/minor and 9 credits in a third social science strategy. However, by pursuing this Social Studies major/ double minor approach the pre-service teacher can apply for endorsements for four social studies content areas. Since holding additional endorsements-4 total-is quite valuable and marketable, the extra course work may be worth it.

• Finally, for increased marketability purposes and for preparing to meet the needs of all students, consider an English as a Second Language (ESL) minor or a Special Education minor. Please contact the program coordinators for these programs if you are interested in one of these minors.
  • ESL minor - Please contact: Dr. Wallace Sherlock (Winther Hall 4049; 262.472.1831; sherlocw@uww.edu.
  • Special Education minor - Please contact one of the following Special Education minor advisors:  
  • • Amy Griffith (Winther Hall 4044; 262.472.5817; griffita@uww.edu)
    • Jessica Hagaman (Winther Hall 4037; 262.472.4045; hagamanj@uww.edu)

Post-baccalaureate (special) students-students who hold an undergraduate degree and are returning to seek secondary licensure with an endorsement in secondary social studies-must satisfy the requirements for a major or a broadfield social studies at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Special students should contact the Social Science Department(s) of their major(s) or minor(s) to determine whether or not they have satisfied UW-Whitewater's major, broadfield, or minor requirements. For downloadable secondary social studies major, broadfield, and minor forms to help track your progress, go to Social Studies content area forms.

Choosing the right major program and course of study is essential to preparing yourself for a successful teaching career. To make an informed decision about the program that best meets your needs, interests, and long-term goals, make an effort to understand the opportunities and limits of each program. There is no one right or wrong program. The endorsement for the teaching license you receive will be determined by the major(s) and minor(s) you complete.

(Note: The licensure sequence is independent of the degree program; thus, for some courses may count in the licensure requirements and also count in a major, minor, or a broadfield equivalent requirements.)

• Social Studies major equivalents in a specific content area (Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology) qualifies a graduate to apply for a content area endorsement for licensure in the major field. These major equivalents require a course of study equivalent to a major in the content area, as well as education-specific courses. Graduates who complete a minor with an education emphasis may apply for a second content area endorsement for licensure in the minor field.
  • A BSE with a major in one social studies content area and a minor in a second social studies content area (with no additional majors, minors, or concentrations) allows program completers to apply for a secondary teaching license with TWO endorsements, one in the subject area of the BSE social studies major and one in the subject area of the minor. For example, a student completing licensure in Economics with minor in Psychology, could apply for endorsements for teaching Economics and Psychology at the secondary level.
  • See "Teacher Licensing" for a summary of career options with these content endorsements.

• BSE in Broadfield Social Studies with "Disciplinary" Emphasis(i.e., BSE Broadfield Social Studies with Economics Emphasis, BSE Broadfield Social Studies with Geography Emphasis, BSE Broadfield Social Studies with History Emphasis, BSE Broadfield Social Studies with Political Science Emphasis, BSE Broadfield Social Studies with Psychology Emphasis, or BSE Broadfield Social Studies with Sociology Emphasis)  qualifies a graduate to apply for a Broadfield Social Studies endorsement for licensure as well as an endorsement in the area of emphasis. The broadfield structure includes completion of the equivalent of a major (34-36 units) in the area of emphasis and the equivalent of a minor (21 units: 12 units in a different social studies content area than the broadfield emphasis, and 9 units in yet another social studies content area) in a distribution of course work from the social sciences, i.e., geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. These Broadfield BSE programs do not require completion of a separate minor. Since the Broadfield BSEs require the equivalent of a major in one social studies content area, graduates may apply for a content area endorsement in that content area, as well as an endorsement for a Broadfield licensure. For example, a student completing the "BSE History with Social Studies Emphasis" could apply for a History endorsement for licensure, as well as a Broadfield Social Studies endorsement for licensure.
  • A BSE in Broadfield Social Studies (with no additional majors, minors, or concentrations) allows program completers to apply for TWO endorsements on their teaching license, one in the subject area of the Broadfiled emphasis and another in the Broadfield Social Studies.
  • Students pursuing a Broadfield Social Studies major program could apply for additional content area endorsements for each area of concentration. A concentration is equivalent to a minor in a social studies content area.
  • See "Teacher Licensing" for a summary of career options with these licenses.

Recommendations:

• One recommended approach is to seek the equivalent of a social studies (BSE) major in a specific content area (e.g., Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology), the equivalent of a minor in another of the Social Studies content areas (e.g., one of the six areas listed above) and 9 credits in a third social studies content area. This program would enable the pre-service teacher to apply for a license with endorsements in three secondary social studies content areas:
  • an endorsement in the social studies content area of the major equivalent.
  • an endorsement in social studies content area of the minor equivalent, and
  • an endorsement for Broadfield Social Studies.
  With proper planning, this Social Studies major/minor and 9 units in a third social studies content area strategy involves completing a few more units than pursuing a Broadfield Social Studies with an emphasis in a single social studies content areas. However, by pursuing this Social Studies major/minor program and 9 credits in a third social studies content area approach you can apply for endorsement for an additional, third license in the area of the minor. Since holding additional endorsements is quite valuable and marketable, the extra course work may be worth it.

• An even more marketable approach is to seek the equivalent of a social studies (BSE) major in a specific content area (e.g., Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology), the equivalent of a minor in another of the social studies content areas (e.g., one of the six areas listed above) and the equivalent of a second minor in yet another social studies content area. This would enable you to apply for endorsements for four secondary social studies content areas:
  • an endorsement in the social studies content area of the Social Studies major equivalent (e.g., History BSE),
  • an endorsement in social studies content area of the first minor equivalent (e.g., Political Science),
  • an endorsement in social studies content area of the second minor equivalent (e.g, Sociology), and
  • an endorsement for Broadfield Social Studies.
  This Social Studies major/ double social studies minor strategy involves completing a few more units than pursuing a Social Studies major/minor and 9 credits in a third social science strategy. However, by pursuing this Social Studies major/ double minor approach the pre-service teacher can apply for endorsements for four social studies content areas. Since holding additional endorsements-4 total-is quite valuable and marketable, the extra course work may be worth it.

• Finally, for increased marketability purposes and for preparing to meet the needs of all students, consider an English as a Second Language (ESL) minor or a Special Education minor.   Please contact the program coordinators for these programs if you are interested in one of these minors.
  • ESL minor - Please contact: Dr. Wallace Sherlock (Winther Hall 4049; 262.472.1831; sherlocw@uww.edu
  • Special Education minor - Please contact one of the following Special Education minor advisors:
    • Amy Griffith (Winther Hall 4044; 262.472.5817; griffita@uww.edu)
    • Jessica Hagaman (Winther Hall 4037; 262.472.4045; hagamanj@uww.edu)

Students who are seeking or hold a license in a major in a compatible subject area (English, Mathematics, Science, Foreign Language, or Theatre) and are seeking an Early Adolescence-Adolescence licensure (i.e., middle-high school) with an endorsement in the compatible content area may also seek Early Adolescence-Adolescence licensure with an endorsement in a social science content area by:

• earning or meeting the requirements for a UW-Whitewater minor in a social studies content area or satisfying a social studies content area major or a broadfield in a social studies content area. (For downloadable major, broadfield, and minor forms to help track your progress, go to: Social Studies content area forms.);
• satisfying the Environmental Education Requirement (step 3);
• satisfying the Cooperatives Requirement (step 3);
• achieving a qualifying score (153) on the Praxis II Social Studies Content Knowledge Exam (step 8) (Test Code: 0081);
• earn a C or better in SECNDED 430/630 Methods of Teaching Social Studies (C&I) (3 units) (Fall Only).
• and meeting all licensure requirements in compatible content area.