A smiling student engages in a discussion, laptop open in front of her.

Social Studies Education 5-12 Major

Bachelor of Arts

With a social studies education major, you’ll explore your love of history, government, and social studies while gaining the skills to share it with middle and high school students.

Group of students laughing and chatting around a table, enjoying their time together.

Become who you’re meant to be. While earning a B.A. in Social Studies Education 5-12, you’ll prepare for a career teaching social studies. You’ll combine coursework in history and the social sciences with training in teaching from Bethel’s education department, including a student teaching experience in an area school. If you want to work with younger students, you can major in elementary education and add a licensure in social studies (5-8). No matter your path, you’ll reach your full potential to go into your community and serve students.

Apply now Request info Visit campus

☰ In This Section

Why should I study social studies education at Bethel?

Here, you’ll find a Christ-centered learning community where you belong. Your learning will center in the Department of History, Philosophy, and Political Science—often called the HiPPos—and the Department of Education, where you’ll learn from professors who get to know you personally and will invest in your success.

Faith-fueled learning
As you learn and gain skills, you’ll become an educator and professional driven by your Christian faith.

Flexibility
Bethel's social studies education major is flexible and many students pursue a second major in history, political science, or Spanish.

A community where you belong
You’ll learn in a welcoming community of intellectually curious students and professors who will invest in your success.

A professor engages with students working on a group project using colorful materials in a Bethel University classroom.

Two students laugh and discuss while working with colorful crafts at a table in a Bethel University classroom.

A male and female student share a laugh during a creative project session at Bethel University.

A professor and a student lean over a table, deeply focused on a hands-on project at Bethel University.

A student attentively listens in a Bethel University classroom, surrounded by peers.

Request info

By majoring in social studies education, you’ll develop the skills to be a well-rounded person, not just a well-rounded student. And you’ll experience a variety of great courses where you’ll explore big questions and apply them to modern issues.

Hey! Looks like the form didn't load. If it doesn't load after a second or two, please refresh the page and you should see it. If that doesn't work, please let us know.

Connect with a counselor

They’ll answer your questions, connect you with professors, and help you find the right time to visit campus. They’ll be there every step of the way to help make applying to Bethel as smooth as possible.

Find your counselor

Courses and skills

What skills will I develop?

Professor smiling at camera, students sitting at tables working in background.

A strong historical base

As you study human history, your knowledge will be deepened by the integration of faith and modern application.

Prepared to teach

You’ll gain extensive training in teaching and you’ll student in an area school. You’ll be equipped to share your love of social studies with new generations.

Skills for any career

You'll learn to think critically, communicate clearly, and make a lifelong impact on young people.

Students having a discussion in the Brushaber commons

Academic plans

Map out your time at Bethel—from day one to your diploma. Your course schedule is designed to help you grow, gain skills, and become who you’re meant to be.

See plans

Learning opportunities

What experiences will I have?

Hands-on learning is at the core of all Bethel majors. That means you’ll find numerous opportunities to get involved, apply what you’ve learned, and gain experience. And Bethel’s size and vibrant community will allow you to pursue ways to get involved right away.

Study abroad

As a social studies education major, you’ll find opportunities to study around the world over a full semester, January session, spring break, or summer. Recent students have studied in The United Kingdom, China, India, Egypt, Israel, Belgium, and New Zealand.

Hands-on experience in schools

From your first education course through student teaching, you’ll spend several hours each week in local schools. You’ll get to work with experienced teachers in a variety of settings, giving you the chance to put what you’ve learned into practice and build connections that will serve you well in your career.

Clubs and organizations

You can participate in clubs tied to the history, philosophy, and political science department—like the Model United Nations program (BUMUN); Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honorary, and more. And you can also join the Bethel Student Educator’s Association, a student-led academic club that builds community in the education department. You’ll be able to attend club events aimed at supporting your future as an educator and connect with your fellow education majors.

See all experiences

Real-world impact

What can I do with a social studies education degree?

As you study social studies education, you’ll become the person you’re meant to be and become equipped for a life of purpose in almost any field.

Teach at the middle and high school level

You’ll be equipped to teach subjects like American and world history, government and civics, geography, psychology, and economics at the

Administration

You be prepared to pursue a graduate degree in teaching or doctoral programs to become a principal or superintendent, and you could pursue work in higher education.

Education-related roles

Beyond teaching, you can pursue a variety of roles—like coaching, curriculum design, and special education.

Graduate school

You’ll be prepared to take to continue your studies at top graduate schools. Our graduates consistently score well on graduate school entrance exams.

Skills for any field

If your career takes you out of education, you’ll have the strong, writing, communication, and critical-thinking skills to serve in almost any field.

Students conversing on Lake Valentine dock

Start your journey

Explore Bethel for yourself

Visiting campus is the best way to learn about Bethel and our majors. As you try out academic and campus life at Bethel, you can attend a class, chat with students, meet professors and coaches, tour campus, and get a taste of life in our program.

Schedule a visit

Faculty mentors

Meet your professors

You’ll learn alongside faculty who are distinguished scholars and faithful Christians. They’ll invest in your success, and you’ll develop strong mentoring relationships that extend past graduation. You’ll learn from professors who are always seeking new methods and content to keep courses fresh and innovative, and our department stresses the importance of classrooms being communities of learning where all students are welcome and respected.

Department of Education

Location

Lakeside Center (LSC) C200

Contact

Jill Martin

Associate Professor of Education