BA in Social Science and History
North Central College
Key Information
Campus location
Naperville, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 42,866 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* tuition fee
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Why choose social science/history at North Central College?
When you complete a combined major in history and the social sciences—including political science, economics, geography, and psychology—you’ll be equipped to teach a variety of social studies classes in secondary schools. Here you’ll work closely with top professors, conduct primary research, and develop exceptional writing skills. And you’ll hone your teaching abilities in some of the nation’s best public schools, obtaining valuable classroom experience early and often as you work toward teacher licensure.
You can also:
- Conduct research with the College’s distinguished professors as early as your first year—no teaching assistants here.
- Complete field experiences and residency assignments at excellent area schools.
- Gain experience, compete for scholarships, and work with high-need students through North Central’s Junior/Senior Scholars and Teach First programs.
- Take your place among the North Central graduates who routinely stand out from the crowd in landing coveted teaching positions.
Curriculum
The Social Science/History Major is designed for students seeking to teach Social Studies at the high school level, but it is open to all students. Students seeking teacher certification must also complete a Secondary Education Major. Social Science/History Majors complete 32 credit hours in History so they have an in-depth knowledge of this discipline. They take a three-course sequence of 200-level U.S. History courses, which includes Illinois History. Social Science/History Majors also take courses in Political Science, Economics, and Geography to give them a broader overview of the Social Sciences needed to teach Social Studies. They take 12 credit hours of Political Science to prepare them for an endorsement to teach Government in addition to History.
Major Requirements
History Coursework
Methodology
- HIST 200 - Historical Methods
Geography
- HIST 150 - Global History and Geography
U.S. History Courses
- HIST 222 - U.S. and Illinois to 1865
- HIST 224 - U.S. and Illinois from 1865–1945
- HIST 226 - U.S. and Illinois since 1945
*Note: This three-course sequence also covers Illinois history
Non-U.S. History Courses
- Eight credit hours of World History or European History, at or above the 200-level
Advanced History Seminars
- Eight credit hours of History at the 300-level [expected to be Non-U.S. courses]
Capstone
- HIST 470 - Capstone Seminar
Social Science Coursework
- ECON 100 - Economics of Social Issues
- POLS 101 - The American Political System
- POLS 102 - Introduction to International Relations
One four-credit hour elective Political Science course
- PSYC 100 - Psychology: Science of Behavior
*Note: Geography is covered in HIST 150, so it is counted with the History, not Social Sciences coursework.
Note:
Students seeking teaching licensure must also complete the Secondary Education major requirements.
Additional Requirements for the BA Degree
Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language.
Career Opportunities
A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.
Internships
Recent graduates in social science/history have served as:
- Coaching management, North Central College
- Exploring diversity intern, Ryerson Elementary, Chicago
- Exploring diversity intern, Simmons Middle School, Aurora, IL
Careers
Social science/history graduates routinely find teaching positions in districts within a 30-mile radius of North Central, like:
- Aurora and East Aurora School Districts
- Chicago Public Schools
- Naperville Community School District 203
- Indian Prairie School District 204
- Plainfield School District 202