Advising Points for Social Studies Education Sophomores

Printable Advising Points (pdf)

General reminders

• Advisors should always post advisor notes.
• Make sure all students have a copy of the History Education Degree Checklist, available on the web site. Remind them that they should bring a copy filled out to every advising session throughout their undergraduate career.
• It is imperative that students save all graded assignments and syllabi throughout their college career in order to complete their learning portfolio
• Remind students of the strict GPA requirements for admission to student teaching (2.75 cumulative, 3.0 major GPAs) in February of their Junior year.

Program Requirements

• Students should sign up to take CORE (formerly Praxis I), a test of general skills/knowledge that is a prerequisite for a teaching credential. They should have their scores sent to UD (directions on the web site).
• Remind students to save all of their graded work and syllabi for all courses and be prepared to complete one portfolio entry by the end of their sophomore year. They should bring a draft to their program coordinator who can ensure that they are on track to meet the rubric expectations.
• Remind students that they are responsible for their own transportation to and from the middle and high schools, once they begin taking courses with observation components (EDUC413, EDUC419, EDUC491, and student teaching)

Sophomore Coursework

• Students should begin completing major requirements in earnest.
• Students should complete all general University and College requirements and should continue taking non-major social studies requirements. As much as possible, these courses should double dip (meaning they count for a breadth requirement and a related-work requirement).
• Students should take at least one EDUC course before the end of the year; the general accepted order is 414, 419, 413, but this is not essential to follow. Ideally, they should complete one course each during the sophomore spring, junior fall, and junior spring semesters. Note: These courses are no longer offered in summer and winter! EDUC 419 and 413 each have observation hours in the schools and should not be taken simultaneously, (or with HIST 491).
• Students interested in pursuing a minor that will help them secure a future teaching position should be directed here.

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