Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education

A Concentration In

History

An emphasis within the B.S. in Secondary Education — make history a story students can't put down.

21 Concentration Credits

Credit Hours

Built Into the 4-Year Degree

Program Length

Campus

Format

Teach Grades 6–12

Certify to teach secondary history/social studies

World & U.S. History

World history, U.S. history, and historical research

Methods Built In

Teaching history + literacy in history

Why the History Concentration

History isn’t a list of dates — it’s the human story, full of conflict, courage, and consequence. ACU’s History concentration gives you real depth across world and U.S. history, plus the research skills to dig past the textbook, so you teach history as the gripping narrative it actually is.

You’ll pair that content with classroom methods. Teaching History in the Secondary School and Integrated Literacy in History show you how to build lessons that move students from memorizing facts to thinking like historians — weighing evidence, reading sources, and forming arguments. You’ll graduate ready to teach history and social studies across grades 6–12.

What You'll Learn

01

Master World & U.S. History

Build real depth across world history, United States history, and pivotal eras.

02

Think Like a Historian

Research, weigh sources, and design history curriculum that goes beyond the textbook.

03

Teach History in the Classroom

Plan and deliver secondary history instruction with methods proven with adolescents.

04

Build Historical Literacy

Help students read primary sources, write arguments, and reason from evidence.

05

Connect Faith and History

Trace the influence of the church and ideas across the centuries.

06

Demonstrate Content Mastery

Meet Arizona's standard of 30 content-area credits or a passing subject-knowledge test.

History, Meaning, and a Biblical Worldview

History is never just "what happened" — it's a story we interpret. A Biblical Worldview shapes the questions you ask of the past and how you help students make sense of it.

History Has Direction

A Biblical Worldview sees history as a real story moving somewhere, not random events or endless cycles. That conviction gives weight to human choices and consequences without flattening the past into a morality tale.

Helps you teach history as meaningful narrative, not disconnected facts.

Human Nature, Repeated

Scripture's honest account of human nature — capable of great good and great evil — explains a lot of history. That lens lets students examine triumphs and atrocities alike with clear eyes.

Equips you to handle history's darkest chapters honestly and thoughtfully.

Truth and the Sources

Good history demands honesty with evidence, even when it complicates a tidy story. Commitment to truth shapes how you teach students to read sources and resist easy propaganda.

Grounds your teaching of historical research in intellectual honesty.

Where the History Concentration Takes You

History and social studies teachers anchor every school — and the research and reasoning skills you build open doors beyond the classroom too.

Secondary History/Social Studies Teacher

Teach world history, U.S. history, government, and social studies in middle and high schools.

Christian School Educator

Teach history in ACSI-affiliated Christian schools in the U.S. and abroad through ACU's certification.

Museum, Archive, or Public History

Apply historical research skills in museums, historical societies, and education programs.

Graduate Study in History or Education

Use a strong history foundation to pursue a master's in history, social studies, or instruction.

Why Students Choose This Concentration

The History concentration blends genuine historical depth with the methods to make the past come alive for students.

Real Historical Depth

A 21-credit concentration spans world history, U.S. history, and focused eras — plus formal research skills.

Teaching Methods Built In

Dedicated history-pedagogy courses mean you learn to teach the subject, not just to study it.

Research, Not Just Recall

Introduction to Historical Research trains you to think and teach like a historian.

ACSI Certification Pathway

Teach history in Christian schools worldwide through ACU's ACSI certification.

Getting Started

Already drawn to the Secondary Education degree? Adding the History concentration is simple.

1

Apply to ACU

Submit your application for admission to Arizona Christian University.

Start Your Application
2

Choose History as Your Concentration

Tell your education advisor you want the history content area, and they'll map it into your plan.

3

Build Your History Foundation

Move through world and U.S. history and historical research, then add the history teaching-methods courses.

Return to Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education

Ready to Teach History?

The History concentration gives you the content depth and teaching methods to lead a secondary history classroom with confidence. Apply or reach out today.