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Secondary Education - Social Studies (Initial)
Undergraduate Bachelors Degree

Program Overview | Conceptual Framework | Program Details | Program of Study | Four Year PlanField Experience  | Candidate Assessment Information | Program Faculty | Advising

Program Overview

The Secondary Social Studies program prepares candidates for teaching in Grades 6-12 and leads to an initial Louisiana teaching certificate as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree. The UNO teacher education program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the program is aligned with standards developed by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). The undergraduate program is 137 credit hours and focuses on the knowledge, skills, and dispositions associated with effective education of students in Grades 6-12.

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Conceptual Framework

The program is aligned with the Conceptual Framework of the College of Education and Human Development. The Conceptual Framework establishes a goal to prepare reflective practitioners to address the needs of metropolitan schools. Within a theory-practice interaction model, the program prepares teachers to address six critical roles of teaching: 1) designing and delivering instruction, 2) managing time, tasks, and environments, 3) using inquiry to inform practice, 4) collaborating to support group practice, 5) advocating for students, services, and supports, and 6) improving classroom and system practice. The role-focused framework supports a performance-based preparation program.  Four critical themes are embedded within the program of study, including: assessment, communication, diversity, and technology. UNO programs of study are designed to assist teachers in creating an impact on children, schools, and communities.

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Program Details

The Secondary Social Studies program of study is divided into 4 Tiers. Tier I supports introductory coursework to assist candidates in making a decision to become a teacher and to understand the requirements of the program. Tier II provides candidates with core education coursework and support to begin the development of an electronic portfolio. Tier III is the point at which candidates are admitted into the Teacher Education Program and complete professional coursework aligned with the national, state, and unit standards associated with teaching Social Studies. During Tier IV, candidates complete the student teaching experience in a public school setting.

The program of study is fully aligned with the certification requirements of the Louisiana Department of Education and includes the following categories of coursework:

Coursework Category	Description of Course Category
General Education	These courses are taken in the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Sciences to provide content knowledge
Knowledge of the Learner and the Learning Environment	These courses are designated as EDUC courses that provide core knowledge and skills associated with effective teaching
Focus Area	These courses are aligned with social studies content in the areas of history, anthropology, sociology, geography, political science, and economics (see programs of study listed below)
Methodology and Teaching	These courses focus on curriculum and instruction
Flexible Hours	These courses provide additional coursework in methodology, special education, children’s literature, physical education, and core knowledge

 

The program of study includes all coursework necessary to attain an additional teaching certificate in special education – mild/moderate disabilities. Candidates who wish to exit the program with this additional certification must address additional candidate assessment requirements and complete a student teaching experience in an inclusive education setting. More information on this option is available in the Undergraduate Candidate Handbook.

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Program of study (curriculum sheet)

Four Year Plan

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Field Experience

The Secondary Social Studies teacher education program represents a performance-based model of personnel preparation and is divided into four Tiers, each defined primarily by the type of field experience associated with the attendant coursework. Field experience is included in two types of courses: those with embedded field work and those that are entirely dedicated to field work. Dedicated field experience courses are taught as 1 credit hour courses taken concurrently with a 2 credit hour content or methods course.

Tier I field experiences focus on making a decision to enter the field of education. Tier II coursework includes field experiences primarily focused on observation of practice and individual student learning. Tier III field experiences are designed to focus on teaching small groups of students. In Tier IV candidates focus on whole class instruction and classroom management during student teaching. Information on the field experience requirements of each course in the program of study may be found in the course syllabus.

Throughout the program, candidates record site and grade level placements of field experiences in their LiveText electronic portfolio. These records are reviewed at each transition review by program faculty to ensure that candidates are developing a balanced set of field experiences that include work with all age levels and in diverse school settings. More information on the Field Experience requirements may be found in the Undergraduate Candidate Handbook .

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Candidate Assessment Information

The Secondary Social Studies teacher education program requires candidates to complete a variety of assessments as they progress through the program of study. The program includes four transition reviews, one to exit each Tier. Assessments include unit assessments that are incorporated into each teacher education program of study, and program assessments unique to the Secondary Social Studies program. The table below provides the key assessments used in the program to determine candidate progression. Specific information about each assessment and scoring information for each assessment may be found by clicking on the appropriate link.

Name of Assessment	Type or Form of Assessment	Description of Assessment	Scoring Instructions
PRAXIS II Examination (0524)	State Licensure Test	Description	Scoring
Teacher Work Sample	Work Sample	Description	Scoring
Evidence Sets	Evidence sets	Description	Scoring
Dispositions Review	Observation Checklist	Description	Scoring Review 1  Review 2  Review 3
New Assessment - See faculty advisor	Artifact Review
New Assessment - See faculty advisor	Artifact Review

Key Program Faculty

• Jane Chauvin
  

List of Faculty and Staff Advisors

Contact the Program Coordinator for more information.

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