Benefit from the only undergrad teaching program in Washington that's housed at a major research university.

• Learn from professors who have done extensive research, travel, and teaching abroad.
• Study and work with a diversity of young students that mirrors today’s classrooms.
• The U.S. Department of Education selected WSU for a grant of more than $11 million to create a model teacher preparation program centered on high-needs youths.
• Learn effective teaching: WSU offers the state’s only teacher preparation program that provides practical classroom teaching opportunities in every region of Washington.

The social studies teaching program at WSU integrates a major in social studies with teacher education courses that prepare you to pass the Washington state teacher certification exam and run a classroom of your own.

Social studies is an interdisciplinary field that covers aspects of history, anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology. The core courses of the major cover a lot of ground to prepare you for the topics you're likely to be teaching in your own classroom.

A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.

For all students at WSU

Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.

To get all the financial help WSU can provide, you'll need to do these two things:

• Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration, including departmental awards.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need. Get started here.

Click here for more info about about WSU scholarships and financial aid

For teacher education students

Students are eligible for scholarships from the College of Education. About 100 teacher education students are awarded scholarships every semester. Visit the college's scholarships page for more information.

• Social studies students should enjoy studying past societies and events, have good critical thinking skills, and be able to draw connections and recognize patterns.

• A strong and broad high school background in humanities, social science, and languages is helpful preparation in the field of social studies.

• Students should take two years of a foreign language in high school, which will also meet a WSU graduation requirement.

• Future teachers should care about children and have the desire to make a real difference in the world.

Social studies teachers may teach in public or private schools worldwide. Further study opens up possibilities as a coach, counselor, principal, or other administrative positions in schools.

During the 2015–2016 school year, the standard starting annual salary for a nine-month school year was $35,069 for Washington state teachers with a bachelor's degree, according to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. With additional education and experience, salaries can be much higher.