Program Overview

Bachelor of Science in Teaching Government

The Teaching Government major is a cooperative program with the College of Education, through which students earn certification to teach government, as well as a second field, usually History, since that combination offers the most employment possibilities, Economics or Sociology could also be your second field.

Degree Requirements

• The successful graduate will be certified in the state of Idaho to teach American Government/Political Science for grades 6-12, and History (6-12) or Economics or Sociology.
• It is possible to obtain teacher license reciprocity if you plan to move outside of Idaho after graduation.
• In this major, you will take courses in Political Science and History, in addition to spending time taking courses in the College of Education and engaging in fieldwork in Government and History.
• The fieldwork portion of your teaching program will take part over your last three semesters:
  • Block 1: early field placement
  • Block 2: internship
  • Block 3: student teaching

Suggested Plan of Study, with History as the second endorsement field

First Year

• Fall Semester:
  • FW: ENGL 101 | 3 credits
  • UF 100 | 3 credits
  • FM Course | 3-4 credits
  • HIST 111 | 3 credits
  • FS: POLS 101 | 3 credits
  • Total semester credits: 15-16
• Spring Semester:
  • FW: ENGL 102 | 3 credits
  • FS: ED-CIFS 201 | 3 credits
  • FC: COMM 101 | 3 credits
  • FN Course | 3 credits
  • FN Course lab | 1 credit
  • HIST 112 | 3 credits
  • Total semester credits: 16

Second Year

• Fall Semester:
  • FH Course | 3-4 credits
  • UF 200 | 3 credits
  • FN: No Lab | 3 credits
  • HIST 101/102/103/104/121/141/369 | 3 credits
  • POLS 200 | 3 credits
  • Total semester credits: 15-16
• Spring Semester:
  • FA Course | 3 credits
  • EDTECH 202 | 3 credits
  • POLS 205 | 3 credits
  • POLS 300 | 3 credits
  • Regional History Course | 3 credits
  • Total semester credits: 16

Third Year

• Fall Semester:
  • POLS 305/306 | 3 credits
  • POLS 404/405/406/407/446/447 | 3 credits
  • HIST 101/102/103/104/121/141/369 | 3 credits
  • Regional History Course | 3 credits
  • Regional History Course | 3 credits
  • Apply to Teacher Ed
  • Total semester credits: 15
• Spring Semester:
  • ED-CIFS 301 | 2 credits
  • ED-CIFS 302 | 4 credits
  • ED-ESP 350 | 3 credits
  • POLS 414 | 3 credits
  • POLS 404/405/406/407/446/447 | 3 credits
  • Apply to Professional Year
  • Total semester credits: 15

Fourth Year

• Fall Semester:
  • ED-CIFS 401 | 3 credits
  • ED-CIFS 405 | 3 credits
  • ED-LLC 444 | 3 credits
  • ED-CIFS 400 | 1 credit
  • Elective | 3 credits
  • Elective | 3 credits
  • Total semester credits: 16
• Spring Semester:
  • ED-CIFS 485 | 14 credits
  • Total semester credits: 14

Student Teaching

During student teaching, you will gradually take over all responsibilities for classroom instruction. You will document some results of your teaching and your reflections about your teaching in a portfolio of work samples. These, and the recommendation of your cooperating teacher, are often the center of your job application file.

Application Information

Requirements for Teacher Education Application

• Completing ED-CIFS 201 and ED-TECH 202
• Completing general requirements and within a few semesters of completing major content
• Cumulative GPA, Major GPA, and Education GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Letter of Application
• Applications are due the Third Friday in September
• An interview will be required prior to admittance

Requirements for Professional Year Application

• Completing ED-CIFS 301 and 302 as well as ED-ESP 350
• Cumulative GPA, Major GPA, and Education GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Passing scores on the PRAXIS II [Test #5931] for Political Science and second endorsement area
• Resume, background check, and fingerprints
• Applications are due the First Friday in February

Total Program Credits

Total Program Credits: 121-3 Credits Praxis test MUST be passed prior to student teaching. UF classes can be taken in a different order, this is just a guide.