2026-2027 Course Catalog
Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/education/middle-grades-education-bs/social-science/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, Social Science Concentration
This Middle Grades Education, BS prepares teachers for grades five through eight. A minimum of 120 semester hours is necessary for graduation.
Students pursuing teacher licensure programs in the College of Education must meet requirements in a series of sequential gateways. Included in the gateway requirements are successful completion of specified coursework, achievement of appropriate grade point averages, requirements for clinical experiences, and appropriate tests for the licensure area. Meeting all Gateway requirements leads to degree and licensure completion.
In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (A=4.0). Candidates in teaching licensure programs must maintain a C- or better in ALL content and professional education coursework. For teacher education licensure information applicable to all curricula, see the Council on Teacher Education. Licensure requirements are subject to change without notice as a result of new mandates from the Illinois State Board of Education or the Illinois General Assembly.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, Social Science Concentration
Degree Requirements
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Orientation Seminar | | | | EDUC 101 | Education Orientation Seminar | 1 | | Total | | 1 |
The following degree requirements also meet general education course requirements and must be selected from the campus general education course list. Some professional education courses and concentration courses can count towards the general education requirements.
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | | | Composition I | | 4 | | Total | | 4 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Advanced Composition | | | | Advanced Composition | | 3-4 | | Total | | 3-4 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Natural Sciences & Technology | | | | If seeking the Science concentration, exclusions apply including, but not limited to: Horticulture, Dance and Urban Planning. Must be a science rubric. Consult with adviser for further information. | | | | Life science | | 3-4 | | Physical science | | 3-4 | | Total | | 6-8 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Cultural Studies | | | | Western/Comparative | | 3-4 | | U.S. Minority | | 3-4 | | Non-Western | | 3-4 | | Total | | 9-12 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Social & Behavioral Sciences | | | | Social & Behavioral Sciences | | 6-8 | | Total | | 6-8 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Quantitative Reasoning | | | | Quantitative Reasoning I | | 3-4 | | Quantitative Reasoning I or II | | 3-4 | | Total | | 6-8 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Humanities & the Arts | | | | Humanities & the Arts | | 6 | | Total | | 6 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Total Hours of General Education Courses | | 37-46 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Language Other Than English | | | | Three years of one language other than English in high school or completion of the third semester of college level language. | | 0-12 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Electives | | | | Elective Hours (as needed to complete the 120 graduation requirement) | | 0-10 | | Six hours of ROTC upper level courses (300 level or above) can count toward the degree as free electives. | | |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Concentrations | | | | Students must complete 24-27 credit hours within one of the following concentrations: 1) Social Science, 2) Science, 3) Mathematics, or 4) Literacy. Subsequent tables outline the required courses to complete requirements in specific concentrations. | | 24-27 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Professional Education | | | | CI 404 | Teaching and Assessing Secondary School Students | 3 | | CI 410 | Middle School Instruction, Philosophy and Structures | 3 | | CI 415 | Language Varieties, Cultures and Learning | 3 | | CI 467 | Principles in Teaching Literature to Children and Youth | 3 | | CI 471 | Principles and Practices to Foster Independence in Reading | 3 | | CI 476 | Teaching Elementary and Middle Grade Language Arts | 3 | | EDPR 250 | School & Community Experiences (Section MG) | 4 | | EDPR 442 | Educational Practice in Secondary Education (Section MG) | 12 | | EDUC 201 & EDUC 202 | Identity and Difference in Education and Social Justice, School and Society (or program approved equivalent courses) | 6 | | EPSY 201 | Educational Psychology | 3 | | EPSY 430 | Early Adolescent Development | 3 | | SPED 405 | General Educator's Role in Special Education | 3 | | Total Hours | | 49 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Total minimum hours for degree | | 120 |
Concentration Requirements
Some concentration courses can count towards the general education requirements. Courses in concentrations may not be allowed to count for more than two degree requirements. If you have questions, see your adviser.
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Social Science Concentration | | | | CI 402 | Teaching Diverse Middle Grade Students (Social Sciences Section) | 3 | | American History: Select one from the following: | | 3-4 | | HIST 170 | US History to 1877-ACP | | | HIST 171 | US History to 1877 | | | HIST 172 | US History Since 1877 | | | HIST 173 | US History Since 1877-ACP | | | HIST 270 | United States History to 1815 | | | HIST 271 | Nineteenth Century America | | | HIST 272 | Twentieth Century America | | | Global or World History: Select one from the following: | | 3-4 | | HIST 100 | Global History | | | HIST 140 | Western Worlds: Ancient and Medieval Societies from the Mediterranean to N. Europe (ACP) | | | HIST 141 | Western Worlds: Ancient and Medieval Societies from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe | | | HIST 142 | Modern Europe and the World | | | HIST 143 | Modern Europe and the World - ACP | | | Select from one of the following Geography courses: | | 3-4 | | GGIS 101 | Global Development & Environment | | | GGIS 104 | Social and Cultural Geography | | | GGIS 106 | Geographies of Globalization | | | GGIS 210 | Social & Environmental Issues | | | GGIS 221 | Geographies of Global Conflict | | | PS 101 | Intro to US Gov & Pol | 3 | | ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | 3 | | Social Science Electives: To complete any remaining hours, select additional courses from the courses above or in sociology. | | 3-5 | | Total | | 24 |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, Social Science Concentration
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| EDUC 101 | 1 |
| EDUC 201 | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| PS 101 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| EDUC 202 | 3 |
| ECON 102 | 3 |
| American, Global or World History course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| EPSY 201 | 3 |
| Geography course | 3 |
| American, Global or World History course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| CI 410 | 3 |
| CI 467 | 3 |
| CI 471 | 3 |
| EPSY 430 | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CI 415 | 3 |
| Social Science Elective course | 3 |
| Social Science Elective course or Elective course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| CI 402 | 3 |
| CI 476 | 3 |
| EDPR 250 | 4 |
| SPED 405 | 3 |
| Elective course | 2 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CI 404 | 3 |
| EDPR 442 | 12 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
Total Hours: 120
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, Social Science Concentration
College of Education
Education Building, 1310 S. Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820\ College of Education website
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
306 Education Building\ ci@education.illinois.edu\ (217) 244-8286\ Department of Curriculum & Instruction website\ Department of Curriculum & Instruction faculty
Office of Undergraduate Programs
110 Education Building\ Education Academic Affairs email: saao@education.illinois.edu\ (217) 333-2800\ Admissions & Academics website\ Student Academic Affairs website