History, B.A., Social Studies 7-12/Secondary Education Concentration

Go to information for History/Political Science . 

Department Contact:

Chair (History): Dr. Denise Holladay Damico, ddamico@francis.edu
Chair (Education): Dr. Stephanie Ivory, sivory@francis.edu, 814-472-2844

Program Description:

Studying History encourages “respect for the uniqueness of the individual person,” drawing upon  the understanding that History is “people making choices and those choices making a difference.” If knowledge is power, studying the past cultivates “a humble and generous attitude toward learning.” At Saint Francis University, our History curriculum encourages “Solidarity and Reconciliation” through careful study of the categories of race, class, gender, and place, in the U.S., Europe, and throughout the world, emphasizing the ways in which we form “a Community that transcends particular nations and cultures.” History students learn to reason critically and analytically, to synthesize large bodies of information, and to write clearly and effectively - skills that are applicable to any job setting.

The History/Social Studies Secondary Education Concentration program at Saint Francis University is a collaborative effort between the History program and the Education Department to provide a History major along with a teacher preparation program that imparts the knowledge, understandings, and skills needed for future teachers to enable secondary students to achieve academic success. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

History majors will:

• Understand major developments in History.
  • Identify key events, movements, and figures in the history of the U.S., and understand these events, movements, and figures in transnational history.
  • Identify key events, movements, and figures in the history of Europe, and understand these events, movements, and figures in transnational context.
  • Identify key events, movements, and figures in world history and understand these events, movements, and figures in transnational context.
  • Develop a chronological and synthetic paradigm of the past.
• Develop critical thinking skills within the context of the discipline of History.
  • Find and analyze primary source documents.
  • Find and interpret secondary sources.
  • Generate evidence-based original analysis.
• Develop effective writing skills.
  • Utilize methods appropriate to the discipline of History.
  • Implement citation styles consistent with the professional standards of History.

Progression and/or Retention Criteria:

A student must complete an application for admission and be accepted into the Professional Teacher Preparation Program prior to registering for 300/400 level Education courses.

To be accepted into the Professional Teacher Preparation Program, the candidate must have:

• Completed no less than 48 credits as required by the PDE;             
• Achieved at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA;                                                                          
• Achieved no grade lower than C in major and collateral courses;                                          
• Demonstrate proficiency in Basic Skills: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics (SAT exemption, ACT exemption, PAPA, and/or CORE, EDUC 421);                      
• Completed at least 6 semester hour credits in college level English;
• Complete at least 6 semester hour credits in college level Math;
• Completed EDUC 150;
• Met with advisor in the Education Department;
• A brief essay (“Why I Want to Pursue Teaching as a Career”);
• Letter of recommendation (Candidate must have a letter endorsed by a faculty member outside the Education Department).

Graduation Requirements:

A candidate for graduation must satisfy the following requirements:

• Complete all requirements for an approved program of study;
• Complete the minimum number of credits (128 for a bachelor’s degree; 64 for an associate’s degree);
• Repeat for an acceptable passing grade any course required for the major in which the grade of “F” has been received;
• Complete the last 30 credits for the degree at SFU;
• Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better in all courses taken at SFU;
• Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better in all major or collateral requirements;
• Satisfy the requirements of the General Education core curriculum;
• Satisfy the capstone requirement as specified by the major department(s);
• Complete all clearances, certifications, and other requirements of the Education program;
• Submit a completed Application for Degree form at least one semester prior to graduation date; and
• Satisfy financial obligations to the University.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically 4 years of full-time study

Total Credits Required:

128 credits

See requirements for Education .