Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education
Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education
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Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
GCU offers this secondary education history major online and on campus. If you’re a busy professional, online learning can provide you with flexibility and convenience to make earning your degree more practical for you. Online degrees also come with online learning resources and support to help you as you pursue your degree.
If you’re an aspiring teacher who hopes to positively impact secondary school students by providing them with historical education, read through some frequently asked questions to learn more about a career in this field and earning a history teacher degree.
What kind of degree do you need to be a secondary history teacher?
What is a degree in secondary education?
Can you become a teacher with a general history degree?
What’s the average history teacher salary?
Are history teachers needed?
Grand Canyon University recognizes that middle and high school history teachers do more than teach facts, events and dates — they impart ethical standards and wisdom developed over centuries of human history. The Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education degree, offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, can be an ideal choice for aspiring history teachers who are looking to make an impact by teaching at the middle and high school level.
GCU is an institutionally accredited university, and this secondary education history degree is approved by the Arizona State Board of Education. You will have the opportunity to take coursework that aligns with the requirements established by the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS).
Middle and high school history and social science teachers can guide the development of young minds as they seek to overcome ethical dilemmas and strive for personal growth. Graduates who hold a history education degree and have obtained the necessary certifications may choose to pursue a career in public or private education. Additional career paths that are directly related to this degree program may include:
Graduates of the history education degree have the opportunity to develop and gain important skills related to teaching for secondary education. These include:
Aspiring secondary history teachers will explore coursework arranged thematically, rather than chronologically. The thematic approach of this history education degree allows for an exploration of historical contexts that is both in-depth and broad in scope. Aspiring secondary educators in this program can:
GCU’s history secondary education degree, offered in online and on-campus classes, examines:
Teacher candidates are required to complete a supervised practicum. Candidates must demonstrate their proficiency in applying pedagogical theories in a classroom.
If you decide to pursue a history teacher degree to become a licensed teacher, you could possibly inspire young minds to enjoy the process of historical inquiry and contextual analysis. You may help students learn from the mistakes of the past so that they are empowered to work toward a better and brighter future.
Excluding observational and practice-based experiences and student teaching.
The BA in History for Secondary Education degree program at GCU leads to initial teacher licensure. To become a fully qualified and licensed teacher, candidates must obtain all necessary certifications as determined by the state in which they teach. Successful graduates may decide to enhance their knowledge and classroom skills by pursuing a master’s degree in history education.
According to The Nation’s Report Card, an initiative of the National Center for Education Statistics, just 15% of grade 8 students in 2018 performed at a “proficient” or higher level in U.S. history, a 3% decrease from 2014.(See disclaimer 1) The deficits in history education continue into post-secondary education and adulthood. Only 19% of those surveyed under the age of 45 nationally could demonstrate a basic level of knowledge about American history (according to a survey by the former Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship).(See disclaimer 2)
