We offer two online certification options to pair with your Social Studies degree, helping to accelerate you towards your goals of becoming a teacher!
Credit Hours: 120 | Transfer: Up to 90 Credits | Tuition Cost
What is Social Studies with certification in Elementary Education and General Special Education?
Individuals who complete this dual certification program will be eligible for New Hampshire Department of Education teacher certification in Elementary Education (K-6 or K-8) and General Special Education (K-12). The program aligns with the NH Department of Education’s standards for teacher credentialing.
Why study Social Studies with certification in Elementary Education and General Special Education at UNH COllege of Professional Studies?
This Social Studies degree is a flexible program that provides a pathway to a career in education and eligibility for the New Hampshire Department of Education teacher certification in Elementary Education and General Special Education. The key components of the program include mentorship of teacher candidates by highly skilled professionals in the field, hands-on experiences in educational settings, and the opportunity to build teaching capacity over time.
Potential Career Areas
- Grades K-6 Teacher
- Grades K-12 Special Education Teacher
- Grades K-12 Special Education Case Manager
Course Highlights
- Principles of Economics
- Great Civilizations
- United States History: 1865 to the Present
- Themes in World History
- American Government and Politics
- The U.S. in World Affairs
- Physical Geography
- Statistics
- Students with Disabilities
- The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator Transition Planning and Developing IEPs
- Teaching Language Arts and Literacy
...and more!
Why UNH CPS?
- Regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc. (NECHE).
- Available fully online with select on-campus courses.
- Affordable tuition.
- Nationally ranked online programs.
- About 89% of our students are transfer students. Making the most of your transfer credits is our specialty.
- Career advising is available to all students and alumni. We also extend this service to those considering their college options.
- Faculty who are subject matter experts and share their real-world expertise, helping you apply what you learn to your personal goals and career.
- We’re experts at assessing credit toward your undergraduate degree – not only from previous college coursework, but also for other college-level knowledge demonstrated outside the traditional classroom.
Programs leading to teacher certification or licensure are available to new students in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Specific requirements include:
- General Special Education Certification
Rhode Island requires that candidates hold a certificate in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, a content area certification in Middle or Secondary Grades in addition to a Special Education certification.
- Completion of our free, online application for admission
- High school diploma, completion of a high school education in a homeschool setting under state law, or demonstrate high school equivalency.
- Successful completion of one of the following exams will be required for demonstrating high school equivalency: the GED, HiSET, or TASC
Eligible individuals can apply for tuition assistance through the Early Childhood Tuition Assistance (ECTA) and Preschool Development Grant (PDG), funded by the NH Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration! 100% of tuition is covered for up to two classes per term.
Eligible individuals include childcare workers, preschool teachers, and elementary school paraprofessionals.
Curriculum & Requirements
This is a field-based program for qualified participants working or volunteering in approved programs or education settings. The key components of this program include mentorship of the teacher candidates by highly skilled professionals in the field, the hands-on experience of working with children in educational settings, and the opportunity to build your teaching capacity over time. Graduates of this program will be eligible for certification in elementary education and general special education. Additionally, graduates of this program will be highly qualified in elementary education.
This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.
Sample Course Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| COM 460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| ENG 420 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| HIS 402 | Great Civilizations | 4 |
| MTH 402 or MTH 504 or MTH 510 | Math for Our World or Statistics or Pre-Calculus | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| HIS 411 | United States History: 1865 to the Present | 4 |
| COM 480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRIT 501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| POL 450 | American Government and Politics | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HIS 611 | Themes in World History | 4 |
| POL 690 | The US in World Affairs | 4 |
| MTH 504 | Statistics | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSY 525 | Human Development | 4 |
| ECO 470 | Principles of Economics | 4 |
| SCI 470 | Physical Geography | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CRIT 602 | Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking | 4 |
| IDIS 601 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 4 |
| EDC 500 | Foundations of Education | 4 |
| EDC 700 | Introduction to Field Experience Nonclinical; Complete CHRC Process | 1 |
| EDC 703 | The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator Clinical A | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDC 701 | Special Education Law Nonclinical | 4 |
| EDC 716 | Students with Disabilities Nonclinical | 4 |
| EDC 717 | Positive Behavior Guidance and Student Engagement Clinical A | 4 |
| EDC 719 | Using Technology to Teach Social Studies Clinical A | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDC 722 | Strategies for Teaching Science Clinical A | 4 |
| EDC 721 | Assessment of Students with Disabilities Clinical B | 4 |
| EDC 723 | Teaching Language Arts and Literacy Clinical A | 6 |
| EDC 718 | Transition Planning & Developing IEPs Clinical B | 2 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDC 724 | Elementary School Mathematics Methods Clinical A | 4 |
| EDC 798 | Culminating Teaching Experience and Seminar Clinical A | 4 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
Note: Only 1 Clinical A course allowed per term
Degree Requirements
General Education Program Requirements
A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.
All General Education requirements, including CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar, must be taken prior to the capstone.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 420 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| COM 460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| COM 480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRIT 501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
MTH 402 | Math for Our World | |
MTH 504 | Statistics | |
MTH 510 | Pre-Calculus | |
| Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems: PSY 525 | 4 | |
| Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World | 4 | |
| Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression | 4 | |
| CRIT 602 | Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking | 4 |
| IDIS 601 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 4 |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Writing Program Requirements
All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
ENG 420 | The Writing Process | |
One Writing Intensive course in the Major | ||
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above | ||
One Additional Writing Intensive Course | ||
Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.
Major Requirements
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for state certification.
Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete the majority of their required major courses along with CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major in Social Science, EE & GSE | ||
| ECO 470 | Principles of Economics | 4 |
| HIS 402 | Great Civilizations | 4 |
| HIS 411 | United States History: 1865 to the Present | 4 |
| HIS 611 | Themes in World History | 4 |
| POL 450 | American Government and Politics | 4 |
| POL 690 | The US in World Affairs | 4 |
| SCI 470 | Physical Geography | 4 |
| MTH 504 | Statistics | 4 |
| Declaration of Candidacy Form Required 1 | ||
| Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Exam Required 2 | ||
| EDC 500 | Foundations of Education | 4 |
| Introductory Level Education Courses | ||
| EDC 700 | Introduction to Field Experience | 1 |
| EDC 701 | Special Education Law | 4 |
| EDC 703 | The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator | 4 |
| EDC 716 | Students with Disabilities | 4 |
| EDC 717 | Positive Behavior Guidance and Student Engagement | 4 |
| Intermediate Level Education Courses | ||
| EDC 718 | Transition Planning & Developing IEPs | 2 |
| EDC 721 | Assessment of Students with Disabilities | 4 |
| EDC 719 | Using Technology to Teach Social Studies | 4 |
| EDC 722 | Strategies for Teaching Science | 4 |
| Advanced Level Education Courses | ||
| EDC 723 | Teaching Language Arts and Literacy | 6 |
| EDC 724 | Elementary School Mathematics Methods | 4 |
| or EDC 733 | Middle Level Mathematics Methods | |
| EDC 798 | Culminating Teaching Experience and Seminar | 4 |
| Total Credits | 81 | |
- 1
Required prior to beginning the last 60 credits of degree program
- 2
Passing Praxis Core Exam scores must be submitted prior to taking EDC 700 Introduction to Field Experience
Electives
Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.
State Certification Requirements
The following requirements must be completed in order to be recommended to the state for Teacher Certification:
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for state certification.
- Praxis Core Academic Skills For Educators Exam required. Passing Praxis Core Exam scores must be submitted prior to taking EDC 700 Introduction to Field Experience .
- Praxis II-Elementary Education Multiple Subject required. Students must attempt to pass a Praxis II exam prior to taking the Culminating Teaching Experience & Seminar. Passing exam scores are required for State Certification.
- Pearson Foundations of Reading Exam required. Passing Pearson Foundations of Reading Exam Scores must be submitted prior to taking the Culminating Teaching Experience & Seminar.
Candidates who qualify for K-8 certification must also complete a Praxis II-Middle School Content Exam and 15 content area credits.
- Develop a working understanding of current brain research and its implications for teaching and learning.
- Develop the skills to access and utilize technology as a tool to empower teaching and learning.
- Develop a solid understanding of the utilization of formative and summative assessment for program design, monitoring student progress and evaluating teaching effectiveness.
- Work with colleagues to observe, analyze and provide feedback on student progress and teaching effectiveness.
- Utilize research methods and materials, pedagogies and assessment strategies to teach for understanding and application specific to content area.
Your Prior and Current Learning Counts
Many of our students can demonstrate college-level knowledge gained from military, workplace and volunteer-based training, and experiences. We are experts at helping students demonstrate learning and earning academic credit.
Attend a Teacher Prep Info Session
We have online Information Sessions regularly scheduled, which give you valuable insights into our teacher certification options.
Career Outcomes
Talk with your advisor to discuss how your program, experience, and goals align.