History (BA) - Secondary Education Track

Program Overview

The B.A. program in History and Secondary Education at Columbus State University provides basic and advanced content and pedagogical studies that develop expertise in the teaching of diverse secondary social studies students. Students explore important historical themes and concepts, analyze and model effective instructional strategies, and practice the skills they learn in a variety of secondary school settings.

All educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. In addition to the degree requirements, there are further requirements for teaching certification. Visit the certification page on the CSU Center for Quality Teaching and Learning (CQTL) website for detailed information about certification requirements and the certification process.

Career Opportunities

The B.A. program in History and Secondary Education leads to entry level certification and qualifies students to teach in grades six through twelve (6-12).

Program of Study

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core IMPACTS Area : Institutional Priorities ¹		4-5
Choose one of the following communication options		3
COMM 1110	Public Speaking
Foreign Language Course Options
AMSL, ARAB, CHIN, FREN, GERM, GREK, ITAL, JAPN, KREN, LATIN, PORT, SPAN - 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002; SWAH - 1001, 1002.
Take one of the following courses		1-2
ITDS 1779	Scholarship Across the Disciplines
LEAD 1705	Introduction to Servant Leadership
PERS 1506	Perspectives 1-hour
PERS 1507	Perspectives 2-hour
Core IMPACTS Area : Mathematics & Quantitative Skills ¹		3-7
DATA 1501	Introduction to Data Science	3
MATH 1001	Quantitative Skills and Reasoning	3
MATH 1101	Introduction to Mathematical Modeling	3
MATH 1111	College Algebra	3
MATH 1113	Pre-Calculus	4
MATH 1125	Applied Calculus	3
MATH 1131	Calculus with Analytic Geometry I	4
MATH 1132	Calculus with Analytic Geometry II	4
MATH 1165	Computer-Assisted Problem Solving	3
MATH 1401	Introduction to Statistics	3
MATH 1501	Calculus I	4
MATH 2125	Introduction to Discrete Mathematics	3
STAT 1401	Elementary Statistics	3
Core IMPACTS Area : Political Science and U.S. History		6
HIST 2111	U. S. History to 1865	3
or HIST 2112	U. S. History since 1865
POLS 1101	American Government	3
Core IMPACTS Area : Arts, Humanities, and Ethics		6
Select one Fine Arts course		3
ARTH 1100	Art Appreciation
ARTH 2125	Introduction to the History of Art I– Prehistoric through Gothic
ARTH 2126	Introduction to the History of Art II– Renaissance through Modern
MUSC 1100	Music Appreciation
THEA 1100	Theatre Appreciation
ITDS 1145	Comparative Arts ²
Select one Humanities course		3
ENGL 2111	World Literature I
ENGL 2112	World Literature II
ITDS 1155	The Western Intellectual Tradition
ITDS 1774	Introduction to Digital Humanities
PHIL 2010	Introduction to Philosophy
ITDS 1145	Comparative Arts ²
Core IMPACTS Area : Communicating in Writing		6
ENGL 1101	English Composition I	3
ENGL 1102	English Composition II	3
Core IMPACTS Area : Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences ^1,3		7-11
ANTH 1145	Human Origins	3
ASTR 1105	Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System	3
ASTR 1106	Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies	3
ASTR 1305	Descriptive Astronomy Lab	1
ATSC 1112	Understanding the Weather	3
ATSC 1112L	Understanding the Weather Lab	1
BIOL 1125	Contemporary Issues in Biology Non-Lab	3
BIOL 1215K	Introductory Biology	4
BIOL 1225K	Contemporary Issues in Biology with Lab	4
CHEM 1151 & 1151L	Survey of Chemistry I and Survey of Chemistry I Lab	4
CHEM 1152 & 1152L	Survey of Chemistry II and Survey of Chemistry II Lab	4
CHEM 1211 & 1211L	Principles of Chemistry I and Principles of Chemistry I Lab	4
CHEM 1212 & 1212L	Principles of Chemistry II and Principles of Chemistry II Lab	4
CPSC 1105	Introduction to Computing Principles and Technology	3
CPSC 1301K	Computer Science I	4
ENVS 1105	Environmental Studies	3
ENVS 1105L	Environmental Studies Laboratory	1
ENVS 1205K	Sustainability and the Environment	4
GEOG 2215	Introduction to the Geographic Information Systems	3
GEOL 1110	Natural Disasters: Our Hazardous Environment	3
GEOL 1121	Introductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology	3
GEOL 1121L	Introductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology Lab	1
GEOL 1122	Introductory Geo-sciences II: Historical Geology	3
GEOL 1322	Introductory Geo-sciences II: Historical Geology Lab	1
GEOL 2225	The Fossil Record	4
PHYS 1111 & PHYS 1311	Introductory Physics I and Introductory Physics I Lab	4
PHYS 1112 & PHYS 1312	Introductory Physics II and Introductory Physics II Lab	4
PHYS 1125	Physics of Color and Sound	3
PHYS 1325	Physics of Color and Sound Lab	1
PHYS 2211 & PHYS 2311	Principles of Physics I and Principles of Physics I Lab	4
PHYS 2212 & PHYS 2312	Principles of Physics II and Principles of Physics II Lab	4
Core IMPACTS Area : Social Sciences		6
Select one Behavioral Science course
ECON 2105	Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 2106	Principles of Microeconomics
PHIL 2030	Moral Philosophy
PSYC 1101	Introduction to General Psychology
SOCI 1101	Introduction to Sociology
Select one World Cultures course		3
ANTH 1107	Discovering Archaeology
ANTH 1105	Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 2105	Ancient World Civilizations
ANTH 2136	Language and Culture
ENGL 2136	Language and Culture
GEOG 1101	World Regional Geography
HIST 1111	World History to 1500
HIST 1112	World History since 1500
ITDS 1156	Understanding Non-Western Cultures
Core IMPACTS Total Hours		42
Health and Wellness		3
KINS 1106	Lifetime Wellness	2
or PHED 1205	Concepts of Fitness
Select one of the following		1
Any PEDS course
MUSC 1206	Body Mapping (Music Majors Only)

¹: The hours applied in the Institutional Priorities; Mathematics & Quantitative Skills; and Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences areas must add to 18 credit hours.
²: ITDS 1145 Comparative Arts, though listed under both Fine Arts and Humanities, may be taken only once.
³: At least 4 of the credit hours in this area must be in a lab science course.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Requirements
Complete the core requirements for this program		45
Core Total		45
Field of Study Requirements
Foreign Language 1002		3
Foreign Language 2001		3
HIST 1111	World History to 1500	3
HIST 1112	World History since 1500	3
HIST 2111	U. S. History to 1865	3
or HIST 2112	U. S. History since 1865
EDUC 2140	Foundations of Reading, Literacy, and Language	3
Field of Study Requirements Total		18
Requirements for the Major
Minimum grade of C is required
History Coursework:
HIST 1000	History Convocation (five semesters)	0
HIST 3105	History of Georgia	3
HIST 3125	Historical Methods	3
HIST 4795	Senior Research Seminar	3
Select one 3000-level U.S. History course		3
Select one 3000-level European history course		3
Select one 3000-level non-Western world history course		3
Select three 5000-level history courses, including one U.S. History course and either one European history or one non-Western world history course		9
Geography and Political Science Coursework:
Select one GEOG 3000 (or above) or one POLS 3000 (or above)		3
Education Coursework:
EDUC 2120	Exploring Socio-Cultural Contexts on Diversity in Educational Settings	3
EDUC 2130	Exploring Learning and Teaching	3
SPED 2256	Introduction to the Exceptional Learner in General Education (Students must earn a grade of B or better in order to be certified to teach in the state of Georgia.)	3
Teacher Certification:
EDSE 4205	Teaching the Diverse Learner in the Social Studies Classroom	3
EDSE 4245	Teaching Social Studies in Grades 6-12	6
Student Teaching Experience:
EDCI 4485	Student Teaching	10
EDUF 4115	Classroom Management	2
Requirements for the Major Total		60
Total Credit Hours		123

Program Map

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
ENGL 1101	English Composition I (minimum grade of C)	3
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 1001	Quantitative Skills and Reasoning (or higher)
MATH 1101	Introduction to Mathematical Modeling (or higher)
STAT 1401	Elementary Statistics (preferred)
Area B1	COMM 1110 Public Speaking or foreign language 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 ¹	3
HIST 1111	World History to 1500	3
EDUC 2110	Investigating Critical & Contemporary Issues in Education (minimum grade of C)	3
HIST 1000	History Convocation	0
Area B2	ITDS 1779 (2), LEAD 1705 (2), PERS 1506 (1; may be repeated with different topic), PERS 1507 (2)	2
	Credit Hours	17
Spring
ENGL 1102	English Composition II (minimum grade of C)	3
Foreign Language 1002		3
HIST 1112	World History since 1500	3
EDUC 2130	Exploring Learning and Teaching (minimum grade of C)	3
Area C	Fine Arts. Select one of the following:	3
ARTH 1100	Art Appreciation
ITDS 1145	Comparative Arts
MUSC 1100	Music Appreciation
THEA 1100	Theatre Appreciation
HIST 1000	History Convocation	0
Area W	PEDS course	1
	Credit Hours	16
Second Year
Fall
AREA F	Foreign Language 2001 (minimum grade of C)	3
HIST 2111	U. S. History to 1865	3
HIST 3105	History of Georgia (minimum grade of C)	3
POLS 1101	American Government	3
AREA G	HIST 3000-level (US history) (minimum grade of C)	3
HIST 1000	History Convocation	0
EDUC 2120	Exploring Socio-Cultural Contexts on Diversity in Educational Settings (minimum grade of C)	3
	Credit Hours	18
Spring
HIST 2112	U. S. History since 1865	3
AREA D	Science/Tech/Math ^{Preferred course is GEOG 2215 Introduction to GIS}	3
HIST 3125	Historical Methods (minimum grade of C)	3
GEOG 1101	World Regional Geography (or other Area E World Culture course)	3
SPED 2256	Introduction to the Exceptional Learner in General Education (minimum grade of C; see note below)	3
There is a recent rule change for certification from the GaPSC. As of July 1, 2019, students must make a B or higher in the Exceptional Children's course. The course could be any of the following depending on your major: SPED 2256, EDCI 6228, KINS 4245, SPED 4115, PHED 6219 This rule change will not affect your graduation but you cannot become a certified educator with the state of Georgia until you receive the grade of B or higher in this course.
	Credit Hours	15
Third Year
Fall
AREA D	Science w/ Lab	4
KINS 1106 or PHED 1205	Lifetime Wellness or Concepts of Fitness	2
AREA G	HIST 3000-level (European) (minimum grade of C)	3
AREA G	GEOG 3000-level or above (minimum grade of C) or POLS 3000-level or above (minimum grade of C)	3
AREA G	HIST 5000-level (US) (minimum grade of C)	3
HIST 1000	History Convocation	0
	Credit Hours	15
Spring
Area E	Behavioral Science. Select one of the following:	3
ECON 2105	Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 2106	Principles of Microeconomics
PHIL 2030	Moral Philosophy
PSYC 1101	Introduction to General Psychology
SOCI 1101	Introduction to Sociology
AREA G	HIST 5000-level (Non-Western or European) (minimum grade of C)	3
Area C	Humanities. Select one of the following:	3
ENGL 2111	World Literature I
ENGL 2112	World Literature II
ITDS 1145	Comparative Arts
ITDS 1155	The Western Intellectual Tradition
ITDS 1774	Introduction to Digital Humanities
ITDS 2125	Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics
PHIL 2010	Introduction to Philosophy
AREA G	HIST 3000-level (Non-Western) (minimum grade of C)	3
HIST 1000	History Convocation	0
EDSE 4205	Teaching the Diverse Learner in the Social Studies Classroom (minimum grade of C) ²	3
	Credit Hours	15
Fourth Year
Fall
AREA G	HIST 5000-level (US, Non-Western, or European) (minimum grade of C)	3
EDSE 4245	Teaching Social Studies in Grades 6-12 (minimum grade of C)	6
HIST 4795	Senior Research Seminar (minimum grade of C)	3
AREA D	Science Non-Lab	3
	Credit Hours	15
Spring
EDCI 4485	Student Teaching ²	10
EDUF 4115	Classroom Management (minimum grade of C) ²	2
	Credit Hours	12
	Total Credit Hours	123

¹: If starting a new language or needing a review, choose the foreign language option.
²: Requires admission to Teacher Education.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Teacher Education Program. During the sophomore year, students intending to complete a teacher education program make formal application to the teacher education program. Normally, this occurs after the student has completed three semesters of full-time course work. Admission to Teacher Education is completed through TK20. For further information please go to https://cqtl.columbusstate.edu/teacher-education.php.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program is based on the following:

Completion of EDUC 2130 Exploring Learning and Teaching (or approved equivalent) with a grade of "C" or better
Completion of 45 earned semester hours in the core with an overall GPA of 2.50 or better on all transcripts and a CSU GPA of 2.50 or better
Completion of nine earned semester hours at Columbus State University with a minimum institutional GPA of 2.5 (required of all transfer students)
Satisfactory performance on the GACE Program Admission test or an exemption based upon satisfactory scores on the SAT (1000 combined score), ACT (43 combined score), or GRE (1030 combined score)
Good academic standing during the semester in which admission is requested
Completion of FBI background check with fingerprints indicating no criminal record or discharge from the armed services that could prevent recommendation for teacher certification
Completion of the Program Entry level (350) of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission's Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment
Health and PE majors only: Certificate of successful completion of the Health Fitness Test
Have not been withdrawn, removed from or denied admission to a teacher education program or student teaching at CSU or another institution.
Failure to disclose information and/or submission of false information may result in immediate dismissal from the College of Education and Health Professions Teacher Education Program.

Additional admissions criteria may be applied at the departmental level. Admission decisions are appealable to the College of Education and Health Professions Undergraduate Council.

Additional Program Requirements

To be eligible for CSU's recommendation for a Georgia professional teaching certificate, students must complete a rigorous program of coursework. They also must meet certain other criteria required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Please contact the COEHP Student Advising & Field Experiences office at 706-568-2191 or 706-568-2194 for further information.

Academic Catalog 2024-2025