Goals and Objectives

The Broad Field Social Studies major prepares persons to become social studies teachers on the secondary level (5-12). The program includes the major, general education requirements, and the licensure requirements. While the program is designed to meet the requirements for a BFSS teaching license in Wisconsin, its design attempts to follow those of Minnesota licensure as well.

Program and/or Curriculum

The program consists of a total of 148 credits of which 66 credits are taken in the major, 43 are taken in general education and 39 are required in education. Most students can complete the program including student teaching in four to five years. A broad area major does not require a minor since those equivalent credits are included in the major. The BFSS major includes a concentration in one of the social sciences (the equivalent of a major in economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, or sociology) and then 30 credits distributed among the other six social sciences in the following pattern—9, 9, 3, 3, 3, 3. The choice of concentration and mini-concentrations is up to the student and can be made in consultation with the advisor. The range of options within the major are broad and one advantage of the major is its flexibility. The education component creates a structure that must be followed to ensure reasonable progress.

Courses are regularly offered during J-term and summer sessions which can apply to this program and will shorten the time of completion.

Faculty

The BFSS major allows you to work with the faculty from all six social science departments. A number of the approximately 36 faculty have regional and national reputations in their fields. With the interdisciplinary nature of the program you will develop a working relationship with the faculty from several departments.

For information contact: 

Kurt E. Leichtle, PhD
Coordinator (715) 425-3164
History and Philosophy
kurt.e.Leichtle@uwrf.edu

Career Opportunities

The BFSS major prepares you for licensure to teach any social science discipline at the secondary level in Wisconsin. The major helps prepare the student for licensure in many other states contingent on the exact requirements of that state. In addition the program can be used as an entry point into a variety of graduate programs and professional schools. Since a major in one of the social sciences is part of the BFSS major, you have additional flexibility in future career transitions.