Teacher education

History and Social Sciences Teacher Licensure Requirements

Undergraduate students seeking teacher licensure in History and Social Studies at Iowa State must complete a degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a primary major in either History or Political Science, while meeting the requirements for secondary teacher licensure (grades 7-12) established by the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Human Sciences.

History majors earn endorsements in three subjects, American History, World History and a third Social Science of their choice, while students who choose to major in Political Science earn endorsements in two subjects, American Government and either American History or World History.

Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution, including Iowa State, may enroll to complete their requirements for licensure. Students who choose this option should enroll as undergraduate history majors, but they will only be required to take those courses necessary for licensure in the State of Iowa and to complete three endorsements.  The length of time this option will take varies significantly based on undergraduate transcripts, but the average is three to four semesters of course work.

Why seek teacher licensure in History and Social Studies at Iowa State? Find out here: Why ISU

To enroll in ISU as a history major visit, https://www.admissions.iastate.edu/

To apply to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP), visit https://education.iastate.edu/current-students/educator-preparation-program/admission/

Undergraduate program requirements can be found here: EPP Checklist

Post-baccalaureate program requirements can be found here: Information Sheet for Post-B.A/B.S. Students Seeking Secondary Social Studies Licensure

For further information, contact our Coordinators of Social Studies Education Jeff Bremer or Amy Rutenberg.