Mar 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2017-2018 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2017-2018 Previous Edition

Geography, Comprehensive Social Studies Teacher Licensure, B.A.


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The Department of Geography and Earth Sciences , in collaboration with the College of Education and the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education , offers a program of geography and professional education courses to prepare students for a North Carolina (9-12) teaching license. Students interested in teaching social studies in the public schools should declare this interest during the first semester of the Sophomore year to obtain appropriate advising and prepare for formal admission to the Minor in Secondary Education . Students should contact the advisor for teacher education within the department, as well as the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL) in the College of Education, for information about the requirements for admission to teacher education, coursework, and the culminating student teaching experience. Additional information about teacher education may be found in the College of Education  section of this Catalog.

Degree Requirements


Students seeking teacher licensure in Comprehensive Social Studies must complete the requirements for the B.A. in Geography including 17 credit hours in required coursework and 19 elective credit hours.

General Education Courses (37-41 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education Program 

Foreign Language Requirement (0-8 credit hours)


All students who earn a degree within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in the language of their choice through the 1202 level.  Proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

  • Completing the required coursework at UNC Charlotte
  • Completing three years of the same foreign language in high school through level three
  • Achieving a satisfactory score on the foreign languages placement test (in Spanish, French, or German)
  • Through approved transfer or transient credit earned at other accredited institutions
  • By transferring in with an A.A., A.S. or A.F.A. degree
  • A combination of the above methods (e.g., placing out of or earning transfer or transient credit for 1201 and completing the 1202 course, completing 1201 and placing out of or earning transfer or transient credit for 1202)

Comprehensive Social Studies Courses (18 credit hours)


Students seeking teacher licensure in Comprehensive Social Studies must complete the requirements for the B.A. in Geography, including 17 credit hours in required coursework and 19 elective credit hours. 

Restricted Elective Courses (19 credit hours)


Except for required courses, the B.A. degree requires 19 hours of elective coursework numbered 2000 or above, with at least six hours in coursework at the 4000-level.  Up to three elective courses may be selected from courses with the ESCI, GEOL, and METR prefix.  Students are encouraged to take additional coursework in related disciplines or to select a second major. 

Unrestricted Elective Courses


As needed to complete the credit hours required for graduation.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours


Cooperative Education Program


Students in the Geography and Earth Sciences programs may obtain practical work experience while pursuing their degrees by participating in the Cooperative Education program.  The work experience is approved by the department and is closely related to the student’s field of study.  The Cooperative Education Program allows qualified students either to alternate semesters of academic study with semesters of full-time work experience or to combine part-time academic study and part-time work during the same semester.  Students who are in good standing with the University, have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, and have completed 30 credit hours are eligible to apply.  Transfer students are required to complete 12 credit hours at the University prior to application. Students interested in learning more about participating in this program should contact the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences or the University Career Center.

Grade Requirements


In addition to requirements set by the College of Education, students must have earned a GPA of 2.5 or above in all social studies courses for admission to student teaching and ultimately for licensure.

Honors Program


For details about the Honors Program in Earth Sciences, Geography, Geology, or Metrology, visit the program page .

Suggested Curriculum


For the suggested course sequence toward completing the major, please see the Academic Plan of Study available online at academics.uncc.edu.  Consultation with an advisor is required each semester.

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