HISTORY EDUCATION – HISTORY & GOVERNMENT LICENSURE

A major in History and Government Education is offered through the Sterling Teacher Education Department (STEP). The History & Government major, along with the Professional Education courses, prepares candidates for 6-12 licensure.

Students pursuing History and Government 6-12 Licensure must complete the following courses:

CORE HISTORY REQUIREMENTS:

• HI101 History of World Civilization I (3 credits)
• HI102 History of World Civilization II (3 credits)
• HI211 U.S. History I (3 credits)
• HI212 U.S. History II (3 credits)
• HI498 Research Methods (Writing Intensive) (3 credits)
• HI499 Senior Thesis (Writing Intensive) (3 credits)
• TM281 Church History and Missions I or TM287 Historical Theology I (3 credits)

Subtotal: 21 credits

American History: (Choose any two and HI322)

• HI302 Early America (3 credits)
• HI304 Civil War Era (3 credits)
• HI306 The Gilded Age (3 credits)
• HI308 Modern America (3 credits)
• HI322 Kansas History and Government (required for licensure) (3 credits)
• HI421 Topics in American History (3 credits)
• Any approved American History course (3 credits)

Subtotal: 9 credits

Non-Western History: (Choose any two)

• HI371 History of Islamic Civilizations (3 credits)
• HI461 Topics in Non-Western History (3 credits)
• HI463 History of Latin America (3 credits)
• HI466 History of Japan
• Any approved Non-Western History course (3 credits)

Subtotal: 6 credits

European History: (Choose any two)

• HI331 The Classical Age (3 credits)
• HI333 Medieval History (3 credits)
• HI335 Early Modern Europe (3 credits)
• HI337 Modern Europe (3 credits)
• HI451 Topics in European History (3 credits)
• Any approved European History course (3 credits)

Subtotal: 6 credits

Electives:

• Choose any additional History course 300 level or above (3 credits)

Subtotal: 3 credits

Additional Courses Required for History & Government Education:

• BS115 Principles of Sociology (3 credits)
• BU200 Macroeconomics (3 credits)
• BU201 Microeconomics (3 credits)
• GO240 World and Regional Geography (3 credits)
• PS202 American Government (3 credits)
• ED440 Methods for Teaching Social and Behavioral Science (3 credits)

Subtotal: 18 credits

TOTAL: 63 credits

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In addition to the above history courses, students will complete the professional studies curriculum.

PROFESSIONAL STUDIES FOR 6-12

(Grade of C or higher is required in all courses.)

Level I

• ED156 Technology in the Classroom (3 credits)
• ED195 Introduction to Education (10 field hours) (3 credits)
• ED205 Cultural Diversity (30 field hours) (3 credits)

Level II

• ED206 Classroom Management (2 credits)
• ED219 Instruction and Assessment (4 credits)
• SE210 Introduction to Infants, Children and Youth w/Special Needs (20 field hours) (3 credits)

Level III

• ED272 Educational Psychology (10 field hours) (3 credits)
• ED357 Reading & Writing in the Content Area (30 field hours) (3 credits)
• ED400 KTWS Field Experience Lab (15 field hours) (Writing Intensive) (2 credits)
• ED490 Senior Seminar (1 credit)
• ED406-ED467 Secondary Methods * (listed above)

Level IV

• ED497 Kansas Teacher Work Sample (3 credits)
• ED498 Clinical Teaching Experience (full semester in field) (12 credits)

TOTAL: 42 credits

Equipping Future Educators

The Sterling Teacher Education Program (STEP) has a history of producing highly qualified educators. Our professors are licensed educators with classroom experience, and are excited to teach you about management techniques, lesson planning and methods of instruction. Our flexible STEP Online program takes you through the same accredited classes as our traditional students, allowing you to complete your degree on your schedule. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, we also offer coursework in professional studies leading to Kansas licensure in many areas.

• STEP (Sterling Teacher Education Program) graduates have an established history of success on the required content tests for licensure
• Clinical teaching opportunities in your area
• Personal advising by full-time faculty from the SC Education Department
• Accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE)
• Kansas licensure is highly regarded in other states

STERLING TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM (STEP)

The Sterling Teacher Education Program (STEP) offers a professional studies curriculum for students seeking education licensure to teach PreK-6, 6-12, and PreK-12 within major subject areas. Endorsements in High-Incidence Special Education for K-6, 6-12, K-12, and PreK-12 levels are also offered.

The Sterling Teacher Education Program is responsible for all education licensure programs offered through Sterling College. Education department faculty work with faculty from other departments to plan licensure programs that meet accreditation guidelines. STEP is currently accredited by:

• Kansas State Department of Education
  • Elementary and Professional Studies Programs lead to Kansas Licensure

To view KSDE disclosures, click here.

To view the education department’s 2026-2027 STEP handbook, click here.

ACCEPTANCE TO STEP

Candidates must complete the following requirements to be accepted to STEP:

• Declare Candidacy
  • Complete the packet—available from STEP’s Administrative Assistant

• Demonstrate Pre-Professional Skills**
  • Option 1: ACT Test Minimum scores: Math 22, Reading 22
  • Option 2: SAT Test Minimum scores: Math 533, Reading 544
  • Option 3: Praxis CORE Test Min. scores: Reading 169, Math 163, Writing 165
  • Option 4: Core Competency Based Grades: Students must complete the core competency courses listed below with the noted grades within their first year of enrollment. Candidates who complete an AP or CLEP exam to meet requirements will be reviewed by the Education Department Chair and Registrar to determine if competency grade has been achieved.

    LL101 College Composition: C or higher

    GE Literature course: C or higher

    GE Mathematics course: C or higher

    **Students may mix and match options 1-4 to meet the Pre-Professional Skills requirements.

  • Option 5: Post baccalaureate GPA of 3.0 or higher AND Praxis II Content Test (must have passing score)

• Complete CM101 Public Speaking with a B or higher.
• Complete Level I Professional Coursework with a B or higher—unless required grade is stated.
• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Successful completion of 40 field hours
• Dispositions from department
• Portfolio

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGH THE STERLING COLLEGE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Elementary Education

High-Incidence Special Education Endorsement
In conjunction with an education endorsement, a student may seek a special education minor by taking coursework offered through the College’s educational consortium, the Kansas Independent College Association (KICA).

Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP) 

Sterling College reserves the right to make changes to this curriculum outline.

See our Tuition Rates page for more information.

For more information about our Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, click here.

About the Education Department

The education department of Sterling College offers a major in elementary education and a professional studies curriculum for students who are seeking secondary education licensure to teach 6-12 and PreK-12 within major subject areas. The Sterling Teacher Education Program (STEP) is responsible for all education licensure programs offered through Sterling College. Education department faculty work with faculty from other departments to plan licensure programs that meet accreditation guidelines. STEP is currently accredited by:

• Kansas State Department of Education
  • Elementary and Professional Studies Programs lead to Kansas Licensure

To view KSDE disclosures, click here.

In conjunction with an education endorsement, a student may seek a special education minor by taking coursework offered through the College’s educational consortium, the Kansas Independent College Association (KICA).

To view the education department’s 2026-2027 STEP handbook, click here.

34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v). Sterling College’s teacher education programs are accredited at the state level. Upon completion of all courses and program assessments, graduates of these programs will be eligible to apply for the Kansas initial teaching license for their program of study after they successfully complete the Kansas teacher licensure exams required by the State of Kansas for application for a teacher license or endorsement.  Sterling College has made no determination if this program will lead to licensure in any state other than Kansas in which a graduate may seek licensure. Because every state has different requirements that may change frequently, we recommend checking with the state education department for the state in question to determine current requirements. The nonprofit organization Education Commission of the States has compiled Teacher License Reciprocity State Profiles that provide additional information about the teacher license reciprocity agreements for each state in a searchable format. Kansas Teacher Reciprocity Agreements provides a list of member states of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement who have signed reciprocity agreements with Kansas.

Additional resources can also be found at:

Professional Licensure Directory | NC-SARA

Midwestern-State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement | Midwestern Higher Education Compact (mhec.org) Scroll down the page to “Licensure Board/Agency Directory”

What can I do with these majors?