School of Interdisciplinary Studies
Education (BA) with 7-12 Social Studies (Geography Concentration)
UT Dallas offers rigorous university-based teacher certification curricula and enjoys an outstanding reputation for producing excellent teachers.
At UT Dallas, coursework and field experiences leading to teacher certification may be accomplished through either the Teacher Development Center (TDC) program in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies (972-883-2730) or through UTeach Dallas program in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NS&M) (972-883-2496).
UT Dallas School of Interdisciplinary Studies offers both a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree (BAED) and a Bachelor of Science in Education degree (BSED). Each degree emphasizes a broad understanding and wide perspective of the field of education. Becoming a teacher takes preparation and planning. To ensure the highest professional standards, the state of Texas and UT Dallas require students to pass a series of rigorous courses, complete extensive fieldwork and demonstrate their knowledge of content and educational expertise on state licensure exams to become fully certified as a highly qualified teacher in Texas. The TDC at UT Dallas offers all the preparation courses required for teacher certification, including practical classes in curriculum and instruction, educational technology, and classroom management. The TDC interfaces and engages with all academic schools at UT Dallas, as well as many area school districts, to assist students as they progress through the teacher certification program. The Teacher Development Center at UT Dallas is fully accredited by the Texas Education Agency.
All BAED and BSED students are required to select a certification focus before their junior year.
Bachelor of Arts in Education with 7-12 Social Studies (Geography Concentration)
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
Professors: Karen J. Prager, Lawrence J. Redlinger, Erin A. Smith
Professor of Instruction: Barbara Ashmore, Tonja Wissinger
Associate Professors of Instruction: Kathleen Byrnes, Patricia A. Leek, Syed Naqvi
Assistant Professors of Instruction: Kyle Hammonds, Marc Lusk, Michele McNeel, Azadeh Stark, Larissa Werhnyak
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours1
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Communication Core courses (see advisor)
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
MATH 1314 College Algebra
Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics Core courses (see advisor)
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
GEOS 1304 History of Earth and Life3
Or select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences Core courses (see advisor)
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture Core courses (see advisor)
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours Creative Arts Core courses (see advisor)
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from American History Core courses (see advisor)4
Government/Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Government/Political Science Core courses (see advisor)
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
GEOG 2303 World Regional Geography
Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences Core courses. (see advisor)4
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
ECON 2301 Principles of Macroeconomics
GEOG 2302 The Global Environment
Or select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Option Core courses. (see advisor)4
II. Major Requirements: 60 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
AMS 4305 World History for Teachers
BIS 3320 The Nature of Intellectual Inquiry
ED 4694 Student Teaching Secondary
or ED 4394 Residency 1- Secondary
and ED 4395 Residency 2- Secondary
3 semester credit hour lower- or upper-level ISIS course
3 semester credit hour lower- or upper-level ISIS or ISNS course
ECON 2302 Principles of Microeconomics5
GEOG 3359 Human Migration and Mobility
GEOG 3370 The Global Economy
GEOG 3372 Population and Development
Foundation II: Education (12 semester credit hours)
ED 3314 The American Public School
ED 3339 Educational Psychology for Teachers
or PSY 3339 Educational Psychology
ED 4353 Reading in Secondary Content
ED 4361 Classroom Management Secondary
Teaching Techniques (18 semester credit hours)
AMS 4300 Oral and Written Communication for the Classroom
ED 3382 Curriculum and Instruction in Social Studies
ED 4372 Educational Technology
GEOS 2310 Environmental Geology5
3 semester credit hour upper-level GEOG course
BIS 4306 Strategies for Diversity in Education
ED 4351 ESL for K-12 Teachers
ED 4301 Exceptional Populations
Guided Electives
BIS 1100 Interdisciplinary Studies First Year Experience
8 semester credit hours of lower- or upper-level courses (see advisor)4
The plan must include sufficient upper-division courses to total 45 upper-division semester credit hours.
1. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
2. Requires enrollment in corequisite lab course GEOS 1103. Lab semester credit hours to be counted in Guided Electives.
3. Requires enrollment in corequisite lab course GEOS 1104. Lab semester credit hours to be counted in Guided Electives.
4. Students are strongly encouraged to take core courses that are closely related to their foundations, concentrations, and career goals.
5. A required Major course that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. Semester credit hours may be counted in Core Curriculum.