High School Teaching Jobs
Want to teach Social Studies with your history or political science degree? Here’s how to make it happen.
Preparing while you are a USCA student
General Education courses to take
All of these courses can count towards your general education tier 1 or tier 2 requirements and some of them may be a part of your major already. You don’t have to take them all, but the more you complete, the better prepared you will be for a wider variety of jobs and teaching paths.
- World History: HIST A101 & HIST A102
- United States History: HIST A201 & HIST A202
- American National Government: POLI A201
- Introduction to Sociology: SOCY A101
- Introduction to Psychology: PSYCH A101
- Introduction to Geography: GEOG A103
Teaching Social Studies Cognate
What is a cognate? It’s similar to a minor but it allows you to satisfy the requirement with fewer courses and to choose courses that align with your interests. Choose 4 or more courses, for a total of at least 12 credits.
- Educational Psychology: Introduction to Educational Psychology (EDPY A235) or Adolescent Development (EDPY A334)
- Secondary Education: Introduction to Adolescent Education (EDSE A311) or Introduction to Teaching Diverse Populations in the Middle and High School (EDSE A312)
- Other recommended courses:
- Dynamics of American Public Education (EDFN A321)
- Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON A221) or Principles of Microeconomics (ECON A222)
- One or more upper-division history courses (political science majors)
- One or more upper-division political science courses (history majors)
Paths to teaching once you graduate
Once you graduate, you have three options.
- Complete a Master of Teaching (MAT) degree, leading to certification and resulting in a pay increase (South Carolina pays teachers based on experience and degrees earned). Regional options include:
- MAT at Augusta University (online degree focused on history)
- MAT at USC Columbia (in-person degree that covers comprehensive social studies)
- MAT at Clemson University (online degree focused on social studies)
- Take the Praxis exams and get certified through PACE, an alternative certification program that allows you to start teaching right away.
If you plan to pursue PACE certification you should:
- Complete a social studies cognate or an education minor
- Call PACE, speak to a liaison, clarify which Praxis exams you need to take, and get help starting and navigating the PACE process.
- You should plan to take the Combined Core Academic Skills for Educators exam and your subject matter exam (history or social studies) right away, you will take an education related exam later in the PACE program.
- Plan to teach at a private school or a charter school, which typically do not require certifications. The National Association of Independent Schools maintains a job board and lists of placement firms.
Choosing a path
Pros, cons, and costs
- Costs of MATs vary depending on the institution, where you live, and what scholarships you might receive. Before choosing a program, consider where you want to live and teach—it’s generally better to earn a MAT in the state where you plan to work.
- If you’re thinking about a MAT, consider whether the state or school you plan to teach at will pay you more if you complete one, in South Carolina public schools do.
- PACE program lets you start teaching (and earning a paycheck) immediately and is generally much less expensive than a MAT. It does mean entering the classroom before learning the fundamentals of teaching, which can be challenging.
- Teaching at a private school allows you to bypass a Master’s degree and certification and may be a good match for your personal values, but they often pay less than public schools. Teachers at private schools may have the opportunity (or sometimes the requirement) to work with students outside the classroom by coaching sports, leading clubs, or even living in the dorms.
Questions to ask yourself
- Do I want to teach in South Carolina, in Georgia, or to earn a credential recognized nationally?
- What are my values and how do they fit in with my career goals? Would I enjoy teaching at a public, private, or charter school? Do I see myself fitting in best at a rural, suburban, or urban school?
- Do I mostly want to be in the classroom, or do I want to be active with students outside the classroom?
- Would I enjoy earning an advanced degree or do I want a break from coursework?
- What are my financial needs? Can I afford additional tuition and to be out of the workplace for a year or two?
Final Advice
Experiences outside the classroom, such as serving as a Resident Mentor, coaching a high school sports team, participating in Moot Court, or substitute teaching can make you a more attractive job candidate.
If you are looking to teach outside the southeastern United States, earning a master’s degree is your best plan.
No matter what career you are considering, talk to your advisor about your goals and your options—we’re always here to help!