History - Teaching Major
Students majoring in History - Teaching take a wide range of courses covering countries or regions around the world from ancient times to the present while also receiving outstanding teaching training. Students gain historical knowledge as well as valuable skills in writing, public speaking and information analysis that makes them sought-after candidates for teaching positions and other education professions.
Want to double major in History and History Teaching? You can do that here!
Our curriculum also allows you to easily double major in History - Liberal Arts without adding additional credits. Double majoring in History - Teaching and History - Liberal Arts allows you to gain a deep understanding of historical content while simultaneously acquiring the pedagogical skills necessary to effectively teach history in a classroom setting, essentially making you a well-rounded history educator with both substantial historical knowledge and practical teaching abilities; this combination can significantly enhance your job prospects in the field of history education.
This major leads to endorsements in Iowa for American History and World History in grades 5-12.
Largest in Iowa
Few places prepare more teachers than the University of Northern Iowa. If you are made to teach, this is where teachers are made. Home to the largest teacher education program in Iowa, UNI is also in the top 1% of public institutions nationwide for the number of bachelor's degrees granted.
Hours in the Field
At UNI, history teaching majors gain more than 725 hours of hands-on classroom experience, from early internships paired with teaching methods courses to full-time student teaching.
Built for your Future
The UNI history major is designed to do more than teach the past—it prepares you for what’s next. Our courses are built around the Eight Essential Employability Qualities (EEQs) that today’s employers value most.
Want to learn more?
Fill out your information here and we'll be in touch!
Contact us directly at:
Chad Christopher
Advisor, History and Social Science Teaching
Seerley 328
Department of History
Phone: 319-273-3157
Email: chad.christopher@uni.edu
Jennifer McNabb
Department Head & Professor
Department of History
Phone: 319-273-2097
Email: jennifer.mcnabb@uni.edu
Grow your future.
Students are prepared to become teachers through three graduated clinical experiences:
INTERNSHIP 1
35+ hours – Students will teach multiple lessons under the supervision of a classroom teacher and UNI clinical faculty member while also taking beginning methods of teaching coursework.
INTERNSHIP 2
35+ hours – You’ll spend a whole week shadowing a practicing teacher. During this week you’ll practice the skills necessary to teach a full day. A companion advanced methods of teaching course supports this experience.
STUDENT TEACHING (Last semester)
16 weeks of full-time teaching – In most (in-state) placements, students will spend eight weeks in a middle school/junior high setting and the other eight weeks in a high school setting.