Explore History. Teach the World. 

If you’re passionate about society, culture, and the past—and want to guide students in understanding how those forces shape the present—the Social Studies Option in the Secondary Education A.S. degree is designed for you. This transfer-oriented program aligns with Pennsylvania’s teacher certification guidelines and gives you the coursework needed to move into a bachelor’s in Social Studies Education. Along the way, you’ll build skills in research, communication, and critical thinking. 

Teacher helping students

 

What You’ll Learn 

  • Analyze historical cause and effect, continuity and change, and the impact of past events on society 
  • Understand geography, economics, political systems, and cultural dynamics in local and global contexts 
  • Apply research methods to organize, interpret, and present historical and social science data 
  • Develop strong written, verbal, and analytical communication skills 
  • Gain awareness of diversity, ethical issues, and equity in social studies teaching 

Program Requirements 

This associate degree requires 60-61 credits, typically completed over four semesters of fulltime study. Courses include core requirements in English, history, geography, social sciences, mathematics or statistics, natural science labs, education foundations, and electives. 

Visit the academic catalog for a full list of required courses by semester:

View Curriculum

Job Market Outlook

View real-time career data and explore where this program can take you. You can change the region or salary level to match your goals.

Where This Degree Can Take You

This program prepares you to transfer into a bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Education, after which certified teaching roles become possible. It also opens up opportunities in education support and related civic or governmental roles. 

By completing this degree and a B.S.Ed./certification, you could pursue roles including: 

  • Social Studies Teacher (Middle / High School) 
  • Teacher Assistant or Aide 
  • Curriculum Developer or Instructional Specialist 
  • Historical or Cultural Preservation Educator 

Potential workplaces include: 

  • Public and private secondary schools 
  • Charter or magnet schools 
  • Education nonprofit or community outreach programs 
  • Museums, historical societies, or cultural institutions 
  • Government or civic agencies involved in education or public policy 

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