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History/Social Studies Education (BS)

About

Appalachian State University was founded as a teachers college and continues to have one of the largest teacher education programs in North Carolina.  School systems in all 100 North Carolina counties employ at least one Appalachian graduate.

The History/Social Studies Education (BS) degree is Appalachian‘s second largest teacher education program. Students enjoy a variety of training and experiences focused on historical thinking, inquiry and teaching, as well as digital competency and global learning. Graduates are licensed to teach history and social studies in grades 9-12. NC teaching licenses are easily transferred to other states through reciprocal agreements.

Classes in Appalachian’s Department of History are taught by well-published professional historians who are dedicated to preparing students for life and careers in the 21st century. They encourage students to conduct research, attend or present at conferences, and learn from their various internship opportunities with public schools.

After Graduation

Employment: Graduates of the program are employed all over the country, and some have international teaching jobs. Many of them have obtained National Board Certification and pursued careers in curriculum development and higher education.

Graduate School: Alumni have continued their studies by seeking graduate degrees in History or Social Studies Education.

Career Exploration Website

Professional Licensure

This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification in North Carolina. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.

If this applies to you, check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at App State at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.

People

  • Alumna Profile: Kenley Little ’18
    Alumna Profile: Kenley Little ’18

    Wanting to be a teacher since she was in elementary school, Little chose Appalachian because she knew it would be the best place for an aspiring educator to grow and develop. Appalachian named her its 2018–19 Student Teacher of the Year.

  • Alumna Profile: Carmen Scism ’11
    Alumna Profile: Carmen Scism ’11

    A former N.C. Teaching Fellow, Scism teaches at Kings Mountain High School and credits Appalachian faculty as “extremely knowledgeable” and “always willing to go the extra mile.”

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Rwany Sibaja
    Faculty Profile: Dr. Rwany Sibaja

    “Our goal is to produce graduates who are confident in their knowledge of the past, skilled at teaching history, and ready to incorporate digital tools and a global focus in the classroom.”

    – Dr. Rwany Sibaja, program director

    Meet more faculty

  • Alumnus Profile: Adam Moore '18
    Alumnus Profile: Adam Moore '18

    Moore begins his teaching career at his alma mater, East Forsyth High School, after receiving the College of Arts and Sciences' Outstanding Student Teacher of the Year for 2017–18.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

  • History (BA)
  • History (BS) - Applied and Public History
  • History (BS) - Multidisciplinary

Minors

A minor is optional.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

History Club – This student club stimulates interest in history, promotes a closer association of students and faculty, and provides a common meeting ground for all those interested in history.

Phi Alpha Theta – An honors society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas.

North Carolina Council for the Social Studies - A member-supported organization of K-12 educators and administrators, pre-service and retired teachers, college faculty and educators from non-profit organizations committed to supporting social studies education in NC. Its annual conference promotes quality curriculum resources, best instructional practices, legislative advocacy and professional collaboration

National Council for the Social Studies - Founded in 1921, it has grown to be the largest association in the country devoted solely to social studies education

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

The Department of History offers three regularly scheduled faculty-led, short-term summer study abroad programs:

  • Ireland/Spain - “Religious and Ethnic Conflict in Western Europe: Ireland and Spain,” every other year
  • Germany, Poland or Israel - “The Holocaust: History, Memory and the Politics of Representation,” every other year with support from the Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies
  • United Kingdom - “Postindustrial Wales,” on demand

Admission Requirements

Admission to Appalachian’s Teacher Education Program is required.

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Why Appalachian?

  • This is one of the largest history and social studies education programs in North Carolina. Its graduates are highly regarded throughout the state.
  • The Department of History offers a broad curriculum in local, national, regional and world history which encourages history majors to develop a comparative approach to human problems.
  • The campus library’s W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection and British Studies collection are valuable resources for history majors.
  • A web-based, undergraduate journal of historical research, called History Matters, is published annually by the Department of History. It is edited by undergraduates with the help of a faculty board.
  • Classes in the Department of History are small and faculty members give individualized attention to students.
  • The department has more than 30 tenured faculty members, including several with experience in public school teaching and curriculum design.
  • Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

  • Teacher: public, private, international and U.S. Department of Defense schools
  • Tutor
  • Adult Education Teacher
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Education Management Specialist
  • Education and Training Administrator
  • Educational Resource Developer
  • Historic Site Educator
  • History Educational Researcher
  • Instructor: community college, college, and university
  • Museum Education Specialist
  • Research Assistant

View more career possibilities

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences
Department of History

Dr. Rwany Sibaja
Program director
828-262-8476
sibajaro@appstate.edu

Dr. Allison Fredette
Program faculty member
828-262-6021
fredettead@appstate.edu

Jennifer Morris
Program advisor and associate
828-262-2088
morrisjf1@appstate.edu

Or, email historyeducation@appstate.edu

  • Department of History

    The Department of History offers a broad curriculum in local, national, regional and world history at both the undergraduate and graduate level, which encourages history majors to develop a comparative approach to human problems. The study of history is an essential part of a liberal arts education and offers valuable preparation for many careers, such as law, journalism, public history, public service and business, as well as in teaching and the advanced discipline of history.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

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