About

Have you always been interested in learning more about social studies and history? Have you wished that you could teach history in high schools to “make it come alive” for students?

The BS in history, secondary education degree offers students the opportunity to work with students in public schools and to put practice what they have learned through comprehensive clinical social-studies experiences.

Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students

ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different.

If you are considering a degree program that may, would, could or potentially lead to a professional license and/or certification, please note that at this time ECU may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina. Prior to enrolling in a degree program, please discuss this important topic with your program of interest.

ECU Advantage

The program is committed to the preparation of teachers who are knowledgeable and reflective practitioners, technologically proficient, and skilled in meeting the needs of a diverse student population. The program places an emphasis on service through faculty participation in the improvement of the public schools and assistance in the development and creation of educational policy for North Carolina, as well as support for scholarship and research/creative activity.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Jennifer Gallagher (310 Speight Building; 252-328-5117; gallagherj17@ecu.edu)

A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required for admission to the program. History education majors must have a minimum grade of C (2.0) in EDTC 4001EDUC 3002EDUC 3200; HIED 2123, HIED 3001, HIED 3010, HIED 4010HIED 4323, HIED 4324, HIED 4325; HIST 3000; READ 3990; and SPED 4010. For information about NC teacher licensure requirements see Licensure.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education and special requirements for licensure including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • MATH 1065 - College Algebra or higher approved general education math course
  • Choose a literature course
  • Choose a literature course
  • Note:
    • HIST 1030 counts toward the general education humanities requirement. HIST 1031 counts as a general education general elective requirement. See 2. Core.
    • Nine semester hours of required cognate courses count toward the general education social sciences requirement. These courses must be from at least 2 prefix areas. See 3. Cognates.
    2. Core - 30 s.h.

    (HIST 1030 and HIST 1031 count toward the general education requirement for this degree. See above notes. Semester hours earned for these two courses are not included in the 30 s.h. core requirement.)

    • HIST 1030 - World Civilizations to 1500
    • HIST 1031 - World Civilizations Since 1500
    • HIST 1050 - American History to 1877
    • HIST 1051 - American History Since 1877
    • HIST 3000 - History: Its Nature and Method
    • Choose three American HIST courses above 2999
    • Choose three American HIST courses above 2999
    • Choose one European HIST course above 2999
    • Choose one World HIST course above 2999
    • Choose two HIST electives above 2999
    3. Cognates - 15 s.h.

    (Nine s.h. of the below cognate courses count toward the general education social sciences requirement. These courses must be from at least two different prefix areas. Semester hours earned for the cognate courses are not included in the 15 s.h. cognate requirement.)

    • ANTH 1000 - Introduction to Anthropology OR
    • ANTH 2010 - Societies Around the World

    • ECON 2113 - Principles of Microeconomics
    • ECON 2133 - Principles of Macroeconomics

    • GEOG 2100 - World Geography: Developed Regions OR
    • GEOG 2110 - World Geography: Less Developed Regions

    • POLS 1010 - National Government
    • PSYC 1000 - Introductory Psychology
    • SOCI 2110 - Introduction to Sociology
    • Choose one POLS course above 2999
    4. Professional courses - 35 s.h.
    • EDTC 4001 - Technology in Education
    • EDUC 3002 - Introduction to Diversity
    • EDUC 3200 - Foundations of American Education
    • HIED 2123 - Early Experiences for the Prospective Teacher
    • HIED 3001 - Teaching Civics and Economics in the Secondary Classroom
    • HIED 3010 - History Curriculum and Planning in the Secondary Classroom
    • HIED 4010 - Assessment in Secondary Social Studies
    • HIED 4323 - The Teaching of Social Studies in High School
    • HIED 4324 - Internship in History and Social Studies
    • HIED 4325 - Internship Seminar: Issues in Social Studies Education
    • READ 3990 - Teaching Reading in the Content Areas in the Secondary School
    • SPED 4010 - Effective Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms
    For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.