Admission to Program
Students who enter the secondary social studies teaching program should have a clear desire to work with young people as a teacher. Social studies teaching is a challenging profession that demands academic excellence as well as breadth of experience. Preference for admission to the social studies program is given to students who maintain a 3.0 grade point average or better and who have significant global, civic, multi-cultural and community service experience. Admission to the program occurs in the junior year. The admission criteria are some of the most demanding at MSU and reflect the desire of the program to graduate the best qualified teachers possible and to improve job placement of program graduates. Students are encouraged to work closely with the social studies director to prepare for admission to the program.

Admission to Professional Education
You will need to be complete this admission prior to taking any upper division Prof. Ed. classes. Learn about it in the College of Education Advising Center, AH 117. Typically done in the sophomore year.

Admission to Social Studies
In order to enroll in SOST 450, Teaching Secondary Social Studies, you will need to be admitted to the social studies program. Preference is given to students who have a 3.0 GPA and significant global, multicultural, civic and community service experience. You will need to apply at least one semester prior to taking SOST 450 or one year prior to student teaching. See Dr. Kyle Ward, Director (AH 110E or call (507) 389-5718) for the application process.

High School and Community College Preparation
For students majoring in social studies, a background is helpful that includes successful study of American and World History, American Government, World Geography or any of the other social studies courses offered in the secondary school. Effective preparation in literature, writing and speech is also important. A high level of computer literacy is expected. Furthermore, students are encouraged to accumulate various experiences outside the classroom that include community and civic service, especially among diverse populations, and, if possible, travel and/or study overseas.

Building a strong liberal arts base at a community college is an excellent way to prepare for the social studies major. When choosing courses in the social and behavioral sciences, community college students should select: Intro to Anthropology, Macro-Economics, Intro to Geography, American Government, Intro to Psychology, and/or Intro to Sociology. Community college students should also begin to engage in global, multi-cultural, civic and community service experiences that lead to admission to the social studies program.

Minnesota State Mankato is a University where you can stand out. You will find comprehensive support services, a wide variety of majors to explore and opportunities to excel in and out of the classroom.

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