Studying history gives you a window into the world. It makes you a critical thinker, gives you a well-informed lens for current events, and helps you understand other cultures on a deep level. When you study history at Southern, you'll be exposed to amazing faculty, hands-on research, internships, and study-abroad options. The History Department's faculty members are committed teachers and nationally recognized researchers whose broad expertise will help you gain an understanding of American, European, and global history.
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in History are motivated to teach. In their pursuit of understanding particular events and knowing how and why things happened, they also consider how to relate this information to middle school or high school students. Often serving as coaches, team leaders, tutors, or assistants, their investigations into the human experience and research into the origins, nature, and effects of historical change become an exercise to hone their skills for the practice of teaching. Upon the completion of the degree and awarding of teacher certification, many of our graduates find employment in Connecticut schools.
They often pursue master’s level work in history, the humanities, or the social sciences before perhaps moving on to doctoral work in education. Highly motivated candidates not only complete a student teaching internship but also pursue internships in various local historical societies and museums. Our small faculty-to-student ratio allows students to conduct research with their professors and for the highly motivated to pursue departmental honors work.
Upcoming Dates for Student Teaching Requests
| Term | Request Available | Priority Submission Date |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Currently available | September 1 |
| Fall 2026 | November 1 | February 1 |
| Secondary programs, PE, and Art (secondary) candidates who are being placed for fall and spring combined should follow the Fall 2026 dates. | ||
| Spring 2027 | May 1 | September 1 |
History Secondary Education, B.S.
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in History are motivated to teach. In their pursuit to understand particular events and to know how and why things happened, they also consider how to relate this information to middle school or high school students. Often serving as coaches, team leaders, tutors, or assistants, their investigations into the human experience and research into the origins, nature, and effects of historical change become an exercise to hone their skills for the practice of teaching. Upon the completion of the degree and awarding of teacher certification, many of our graduates find employment in Connecticut schools. They often pursue master’s level work in history, the humanities, or the social sciences before perhaps moving on to doctoral work in education. Highly motivated candidates not only complete a student teaching internship but also pursue internships in various local historical societies and museums. Our small faculty-to-student ratio allows students to conduct research with their professors and for the highly motivated to pursue departmental honors work.
History Secondary Education, B.S. - History M.A. Accelerated Pathway
The accelerated pathway program has been designed to provide high-achieving students intending to become secondary school social studies teachers with the opportunity to complete graduate coursework beginning in their junior year. In doing so, they can complete their B.S. in history 7-12 and an Accelerated M.A. in history in five years.
- Complete both degrees in only five years
- Course selections provided in American, European and Global History
- The only Accelerated Pathway Program in History available through the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system
- Save nine credits of tuition by completing both degrees at SCSU
- Professionals with graduate level experience are more competitive upon entering the workforce
- Provides preparation for doctoral-level education
- Higher earning potential for teachers with a Master’s degree
Outstanding students in the Bachelor of Science in History Secondary Education program seeking an advanced degree are encouraged to apply for admission to the Accelerated Pathway Program.
Candidates for the accelerated pathway program are highly motivated students interested in pursuing a greater understanding of particular events, seeking why these events happen, and how to engage middle and high school students with these historical events and concepts. Students serve as coaches, team leaders, tutors, or assistants. Investigations into the human experience and research into the origins, nature and effects of historical change become an exercise to hone their skills for the practice of teaching.
Careers
People who study history are prepared to enter a variety of fields and industries that value critical thinking, the ability to conduct research, and a facility of communication, written or oral that enables the individual to relay complex ideas that a non-specialist can understand. A degree in history can help anyone learn and refine these abilities. In addition to the obvious career paths of teaching, law school, and graduate school, history majors have found jobs working as researchers for insurance agencies, human resources managers, sales and marketing personnel, and a variety of civil servants, including with the FBI.