History Education

Inspiring others is in your nature. Turning it into a career is in ours.

History is essential to learn – and teach. If you have a passion for history, you can make a meaningful impact by sharing your love for the past as an educator.

Here, you’ll major in your teaching area, which makes Iowa State’s Department of History distinct from many other programs. As a history major with a second major in education, you’ll be deeply immersed in a history curriculum that prepares you to become an excellent teacher and also gives you flexibility for other future careers.

Iowa State has two faculty dedicated to our social studies education program. Both leaders have taught history in public schools, are highly supportive, and deeply understand the importance and challenges of the teaching profession.

As you study with expert historians renowned in their fields, you’ll be equipped with exceptional content knowledge that will set you apart from your peers and make you a highly qualified teaching candidate. Because your primary major is history, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to conduct original research, present at conferences, and explore unique interests through your chosen classes and projects. Our course, “The Historian’s Toolbox” (HIST 3010), also offers professional development resources for history majors.

Our combination of high standards and multiple endorsements means our students get jobs. The Department of History’s placement rate for social studies educators is over 95%. Our recent graduates are currently teaching in schools across Iowa; across the United States, including in Minnesota, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Pennsylvania; and around the world, including in Taiwan, Malaysia, Brazil, and Kosovo.

If you ever decide to change professions, your Bachelor of Science degree will make you a versatile candidate for other career paths. Recent social studies teacher-education graduates have also pursued careers in school counseling, archival and library work, accounting, law, the military, and graduate school for history.

About teaching licensure

To seek teaching licensure, you’ll complete your history degree, while meeting the requirements for secondary teacher licensure (grades 7-12) established by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) and the College of Health and Human Sciences. Most students formally apply to Iowa State’s Educator Preparation Program at the end of their first year at Iowa State.

As a history major, you’ll earn endorsements in three subjects – American history, world history, and a third social science of your choice.

You’ll also complete a 16-week, full-time student teaching experience in a middle school, high school, or both. There are even options to complete your student teaching during a study abroad experience.

Post-baccalaureate licensure

Did you already earn a bachelor’s degree at Iowa State or another accredited institution and now want to complete the requirements for teaching licensure?

To do so, you will enroll as an undergraduate history major, but you will only be required to take the courses necessary for licensure in the State of Iowa and to complete three endorsements. The length of time this option takes varies significantly based on your undergraduate transcripts, but the average is three to four semesters of coursework.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a history endorsement

Another option for obtaining your teaching licensure is the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). This program is designed for individuals who wish to become social studies teachers in grades 5-12. To qualify for the MAT program, you must have a bachelor’s degree in history or another social science, such as English, psychology, or political science.

The MAT, based in Iowa State’s Graduate College and administered by the university’s School of Education, is similar to the post-baccalaureate option because it allows individuals with bachelor’s degrees to get a teaching license. However, the MAT program offers an advanced degree with similar coursework. You will work with Department of History faculty members to determine which program is best for you.

The MAT requires 35 credits, 9 of which may be below the 5000 level. Only 3 credits may be at the 3000 level. This program generally takes one to two years to complete.

Ready to learn more?

For further information, contact our faculty coordinators of social studies education, Jeff Bremer or Amy Rutenberg.