Geography Social Science Teacher Education

Share your passion for Geography with the next generation.

Geography social science educators use their expertise to engage students in the global world. You’ll teach students about the people, places, environments, regions, and current events that shape human lives. You’ll also give students the tools they need to be productive, global citizens.

Geography social science education at Illinois State prepares you to teach high school social science courses. This includes:

• Advanced Placement Human Geography
• History
• Government and Politics
• Sociology
• Economics
• Psychology

Why Study Geography Social Science Teacher Education?

Teachers are in high-demand in Illinois, especially in the Chicago area. Our teacher education program is rooted in excellence. We prepare the most teachers in the state and rank nationally for quality and value. You’ll study physical and human geography while training to be a well-qualified middle and high school teacher.

Your hands-on learning experience starts as soon as you enroll in the program. You’ll observe a variety of diverse classrooms and end with student teaching. Our dedicated faculty will be there to support your whole journey.

Related Skills

• Strong writing and speaking skills
• Ability to examine data and conduct field studies
• Using technical tools to survey and sample
• Ability to use statistical applications
• Ability to communicate to different cultures
• Good research skills and management skills
• Maintain records and utilize them in projects
• Develop project designs
• Ability to work independently
• Desire to help and influence mankind
• Keen interest in the natural and social sciences
• Computer knowledge is becoming extremely important in geography.  Obtain experience with geographic information systems.
• Develop strong mathematical and statistical skills.
• Develop skills and interest in mapping, graphics, and charts. An interest in photography may prove beneficial.
• Develop good communication skills.

Being Successful in the Field

• Bachelor's degree qualifies you for entry-level positions in government and industry.
• Master's degree qualifies you for community college teaching and advancement in industry and government.
• Ph.D. is required for research and teaching positions in colleges and universities and senior positions in government and industry.
• Obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, internship, or co-op experience in your area of interest.
• Join professional organizations such as the American Geography Society or the National Council for Geographic Education.
• Become a member of groups directed toward improvement of natural resources or environment and pollution control.
• Maintain knowledge of current environmental issues including policy, conservation, and industry trends.

Related Fields

Environmental Geography

• Environmental Management
• Conservation
• Waste Management
• Environmental Regulation
• Emergency Management
• Outdoor Recreation Management

Employers

• Federal and state government: Environmental Protection Agency, Departments of Agriculture
• National Forest Service, National Park Service
• Real estate developers
• Scientific and research groups
• Waste management companies
• Chemical companies
• Firms specializing in forestry, mining, environmental issues, or surveying
• Lawfirms

Strategies

• Become skilled in related computer technology. 
• Take biology and chemistry courses for environmental management positions. 
• Take electives in plant science, forestry and wildlife management for careers in recreation and forestry management. 
• Join environmental organizations on campus and in your community. 
• Seek environmental-related experience through internships, summer or part-time jobs. 
• Learn federal government job application process. 
• Earn a law degree for work areas such as environmental law and policy.

Cultural and Human Geography

Cultural and human geographers study the aspects of geography thatrelate to different cultures.  They especially focus on cultural origins and movement and cultural characteristics of regions.

• Cultural Resources
• Historic Preservation
• Historical Consultation
• Community Development/Redevelopment
• Education
• Research

Employers

• State, regional, and local government
• Peace Corps
• Real estate developers
• Companies dealing with insurance, transportation, communications, and international trade
• Scientific and research groups
• Museums

Strategies

• Develop an open mind towards the language, history, customs, and culture of other countries.
• Learn how to conduct library research, make field observations, and interpret artifacts. 
• Learn a foreign language for field observations in other countries. 
• Participate in cross-cultural groups and organizations. 
• Develop excellent communication and teamwork skills in order to work with historians and archivists in recreating the geography of the past. 
• Obtain related experience in your area of interest through volunteer or paid positions including internships. 
• Become skilled in related computer technology. 
• Learn federal, state, and local government job application process.

Geographic Technology

Geographers utilize a variety of technologies to generate maps, store, analyze and interpret map information.

• Cartography
• Geographic Information Systems
• Remote Sensing

Employers

• Federal government agencies: Departments of Defense, Interior, Commerce, Agriculture, and State, Defense Mapping, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Central Intelligence Agency
• State and regional government agencies: Departments of Transportation or Agriculture
  Private industry including telephone, utilities, construction, engineering, energy, environmental planning, and consulting firms
• Map publishers
• Mapping software companies
• Colleges and universities

Strategies

• Take courses in surveying and measurements, photo grammetry, computer systems, database management, technical mathematics, drafting, statistics, optics, remote sensing, art, and graphics. 
• Learn to be detail-oriented. 
• Gain experience reading maps and interpreting data sources including geological surveys and satellite images. 
• Seek related experience such as a part-time job or internship, to develop technical skills.
• Investigate federal, state, and local government job application process.

Planners

Planners ensure that communities develop in anorderly way and that they have the services necessary to support them.

• City/Regional Planning
• Housing Development
• Convention/Tourism
• Community Development
• Demography
• Transportation
• Waste Management
• Conservation

Employers

• City, county, and regional planning agencies
• Local and state government
• Federal government agencies including:  Agency for International Development, World Bank, Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Research organizations
• Private business
• Banks
• Industrial firms
• Public utilities
• Architecture firms
• Real estate developers

Strategies

• Develop teamwork and communication skills.
• Participate in student government. 
• Take courses in public administration or public finance. 
• Observe city/county advisory meetings. 
• Seek internship or work experience in a local government office, as they are a large employer in this area. 
• Learn federal, state, and local government job application process.  Obtain master's degree in planning. 
• Earn a dual degree in planning and law. 
• Research the certified planning credential obtained through the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Physical Geography

Physical geographers study earth processes such as climate and weather.  They also evaluate the impact of natural hazards such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.

• Biogeography
• Geomorphology
• Natural Hazards
• Weather and Climate
• Hydrology
• Environmental Regulation
• Waste Management and Disposal

Employers

• State and local government
• Federal government agencies including: US Department of Agriculture, US Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Forest Service, Bureau of LandManagement, The National Resources Conservation Service
• TV/Radio stations
• Agribusiness corporations
• Outdoor recreation companies
• Resource management agencies
• Research institutes
• Insurancecompanies

Strategies

• Develop strong analytical and communication skills. 
• Take courses inphysics, chemistry, soil science, and agriculture.
• Take courses like weather systems, atmospheric dynamics, thermodynamics, and physical meteorology for more job options in meteorology/atmospheric science. 
• Gain experience through part-time jobs, internships or volunteer opportunities related to climate, weather or natural hazards. 
• Be willing to relocate to regions that have job availability.

Economic Geography

Economic geographers study the distribution of resources and economic activities within a certain region.  They may use this information to advise organizations on where to build new facilities.

• Location Scouting
• Real Estate Analysis
• Transportation
• Agricultural Planning
• Travel/TourismPlanning

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Market research firms
• Manufacturing, wholesale, and retail firms
• Public utilities
• Consulting firms
• Real estate appraisers and developers
• Banks

Strategies

• Develop strong communication skills. 
• Take business courses such as economics, advertising, marketing, finance, and statistics to increase marketability in the field. 
• Earn a business minor. 
• Learn to see all sides of a problem, including economic, social, political, and environmental.
• Observe city/county/advisory meetings. 
• Obtain business or planning-related work/volunteer experience to build contacts and increase marketability. 
• Consider earning a master's degree in planning.

Geographic Education

Geography teachers may specialize in one or more areas of the discipline or incorporate it into a social science education program.

• Teaching
• Research

Employers

• Elementary/secondary schools, public and private
• Colleges and universities

Strategies

• Develop strong communication skills, both oral and written. 
• Seek volunteer or paid experiences, such as camp counselor or tutor, with target age group.
• Research state standards for certification.
• Obtain certification/licensure for public school teaching. 
• Obtain multiple certifications for increased employability. 
• Specialize in an area such as quantitative research techniques, computer mapping, or natural resource management.
• Join National Council for Geographic Education.
• Complete a master's degree for community college teaching or a Ph. D.for college/university teaching and research.
• Maintain a high grade point average and build strong faculty recommendations to prepare for graduate school.

Other Professions

• Strong writing and speaking skills
• Ability to examine data and conduct field studies
• Using technical tools to survey and sample
• Ability to use statistical applications
• Ability to communicate to different cultures
• Good research skills and management skills
• Maintain records and utilize them in projects
• Develop project designs
• Ability to work independently
• Desire to help and influence mankind
• Keen interest in the natural and social sciences

Career Industry Liaison

Internship Coordinator

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Minimum GPA

2.00

Middle 50% GPA

2.50 - 2.89

Required Courses

None

Recommended Courses

To find the course equivalencies at an Illinois community college, please review our Course Articulation Guides.

• Human Geography (GEO 142)
• Introduction to Psychology (PSY 110 or 111)
• World Geography (GEO 135)
• Economics - Micro or Macro (ECO 101 or 102)
• Educational Psychology (PSY 215)
• Introduction to Sociology (SOC 106)
• Western Civilization to 1500 (HIS 101) or Modern Western Civilization (HIS 102)
• History of the US to 1865 (HIS 135) or History of the US Since 1865 (HIS 136)
• Citizens & Government (POL 101) or US Government & Civic Practices (POL 106)

Academic Advising

Minimum GPA

2.00

Middle 50% GPA

2.50 - 2.89

Application Period

Applications are always available.

Application Information

Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.

Academic Advising