The CCSU History Department coordinates one of the largest and most successful teacher preparation programs at CCSU and one of the largest History/Social Studies programs in the state. A teaching certificate in history/social studies from CCSU connects you to long history of professional excellence with deep connections to CCSU alums who serve in every capacity of our education system, from teachers to curriculum specialists, principals, and superintendents. We also have ongoing and productive relationships with the State Department of Education, the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies, Connecticut History Day, and a host of educational and public history organizations. All of these provide our pre-service teachers with internship and professional development opportunities.
History and social studies classes at CCSU are small and intimate. You will never be merely one among hundreds. Rather, our professors know your name, nurture your talents, and work towards your success. Your achievements are ours too! The focus in the education program is to help you become a great teacher, not simply a competent one. We will give you the resources, training, and experiences that will allow you to become the teacher your future students will remember for the rest of their lives.
You will be taking history classes with historians who are accomplished scholars as well as being talented teachers. Your social studies concentration classes will give you the breadth of knowledge needed to be ready to teach on your first day. In your Social Studies Methods courses, you will be working with professors who have national reputations for excellence in preparing teachers. In short, we will prepare you to be the teacher your future students deserve.
Elementary Education Students
The BSED in Elementary Education (K-6) is coordinated by the Department of Literacy, Elementary, and Early Childhood Education in the CCSU School of Education and Professional Studies.
Students with questions about history courses within the Elementary Education program should contact the Department of History advisor, Dr. Mary Ann Mahony.
Secondary Education Students
What are the First Steps?
You should let your advisor know of your interest in becoming a secondary history/social studies teacher as early as possible. This is a degree program that is very specific in terms of courses and credits. Not planning ahead can mean taking courses that you don’t need and thus it will take longer to graduate. Our goal is to get your through your education in the most productive, efficient way possible.
Even if you aren’t sure that teaching is your ultimate goal, advisors can help to develop a plan of study that will prepare you for application to the Professional Program for Education should you decide to do so at a later time. Advisors will also be help you decide when to apply to the Professional Program.
Students with questions about the BSED in History should contact Secondary Education Social Studies Coordinator, Dr. Aimee Loiselle.
See the Academic Map for BSED students and the BSED curriculum sheet.
What is the Professional Program?
The Professional Program is the official program of teacher education. Typically, students apply to the Professional Program after completing approximately 60-70 credits (including some upper level classes) and having passed History 301 with a grade of “B” or better. The State of Connecticut requires that students be admitted to the Professional Program in teacher education only after they have met certain criteria. Admission to CCSU and pursuit of a BSED program does not guarantee admission to the Professional Program. Students must submit a formal application and pass an interview.
How Do I Apply to the Professional Program?
There is a lot of preparation involved in submitting a successful Professional Program application, so again, the earlier you begin the better the chances are of meeting deadlines. Professional Program application deadlines are usually September 10 and February 10. Applications are available at the Teacher Preparation websites of the School of Education and Professional Studies.
Before applying, be sure that minimum requirements are met. They include, among others:
- School of Education Requirements
- 2.70 or better cumulative GPA
- 3.00 or better cumulative GPA for all of Social Science courses: Economics, Geography, History, and Political Science • A grade of “B” or better in History 301 (Please note that a “B-“ does not count)
How Do I Get Accepted into the Professional Program?
In addition to these minimum requirements, students’ application essays must receive a passing score from the History Department’s Social Studies Committee, and students must pass an interview during which an applicants’ motivation, content knowledge, skills, and overall dispositions is evaluated. In order to pass the interview, applicants must score a 12 or above, with an average score in each area of 2 or above on the Interview Rubric.
What Happens After I am Accepted?
Once you are accepted into the Professional Program, the Social Studies Coordinator, Dr. Aimee Loiselle, takes over as faculty advisor.
Students will take a sequence of courses that requires no less than three semesters and includes theoretical and field experience- based courses. Important advising and student teaching information is available on the Advising Information for Current Professional Program Students page.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Connecticut law requires all students in teacher/educator certification programs to undergo state and national criminal history background checks before participating in school-based field experiences. You will be responsible for the cost of the background check and will be provided with the necessary consent forms and other documents needed to conduct it. As part of the background check, you will be fingerprinted. If you fail to pass the background check, you may be unable to complete your chosen degree program at Central Connecticut State University. The University will not be responsible for your inability to complete your chosen degree program.
Aimee Loiselle
Ebenezer D. Bassett Hall 216-14
860.832.2810
aimee.loiselle@ccsu.edu
Are you thinking of being an elementary (K-6) history/social studies teacher? You’ll want to head over the Department of Literacy, Elementary, and Early Childhood Education for more information.