Bachelor of Arts in History & Political Science (Secondary Education)

Catalog Year 2025-2027

Based on VCCS Curriculum for EDUCATION

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• Applicable Associate Degrees: AA and AS

• Minimum GPA requirement: 2.5/4.0

• Course requirements: Students must earn a grade of 'C' or higher in VCCS courses for credit to be transferred into Bridgewater.

• Maximum credits applicable for transfer: 68

• Testing requirements: Bridgewater College is test optional. Students using the GAA are not required to submit standardized test scores for admittance

Important Links & Dates

• Transfer Info, Application, & Financial Aid Information: www.bridgewater.edu/transfer

• Deposit: On or before June 1

• FAFSA-Free Applications for Federal Student Aid: For highest aid, submit by March 1. Visit www.Studentaid.gov for more info

• Admissions Applications: No Deadline - Rolling Admissions

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Connect with the transfer counselor at Bridgewater within your first year for help choosing the correct courses for your program.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• This is your degree if you aim to teach elementary school and be licensed in Grades 6-12.

• With our guidance, you will be licensed to teach in Virginia and many other states through reciprocal certification

• Integration of knowledge across the disciplines

• Development of critical thinking and communication skills

• Ability to question, examine, and understand issues/ideas with increasing clarity and depth

• Gain the knowledge and skills to become a successful and ethical educator

• Learn from faculty who are internationally recognized scholars in their field.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: The completion of an Associate Degree results in all lower-division general education requirements being met, except for CL 150 (a transfer orientation class that introduces students to the BC Academic community) and CL 400 (a senior portfolio class).

• Credit for Prior Learning: AP, IB, and CLEP are evaluated for credits. See this link for AP Equivalencies: https://bridgewater.app.box.com/s/yp8uq0l32pexh5tfywiufc7g9azwlk2d

• Catalog Year: Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at the community college post high-school graduation.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: The completion of an Associate Degree concurrent with high school results in course work towards your degree and most general education courses satisfied. Students will be enrolled as a freshman for orientation and engagement purposes.

Is This College Right For Me?

• Small class sizes with academic advisors in each department. All in-person.

• 23 NCAA DIII Sports

• Commuting or on-campus housing.

• Robust career services, academic support services, and clubs and activities.

• Study Abroad in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. See here for more information: https://www.bridgewater.edu/academics/study-abroad/

Did You Know That…

• BC awards merit scholarships to transfer students based on the cumulative GPA from community college course work. www.bridgewater.edu/admissions-aid

• 100% of students receive financial assistance.

• There are 55 different majors and minors.

• The Student:Faculty ratio is 13:1, with the average class size being 19.

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• As a History and Political Science major in the Teacher Education Program, you will become licensed to teach History and Civics in middle and high school (Grades 6-12). Find outcomes of the Teacher Education Program here: https://www.bridgewater.edu/academics/divisions/teacher-education-program/secondary-teacher-education-program-6-12/

Program Successes & Highlights

• Through our internship program, over 2/3 of our students are offered full-time jobs due to their work as an intern.

• Join Educators Rising Collegiate! Throughout the year, club members participate in a variety of activities designed to engage you in deeper discussions around hot-button topics in education, spur them to think about actions they can take at the local level, and prepare you for a classroom of your own.

• Bridgewater College's Teacher Education Program (TEP) was fully-accredited with no areas of improvement or stipulations on April 26, 2021, by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This action resulted in the maximum 7-year accreditation. Additionally, CAEP awarded the TEP the Frank Murray Leadership Award for Continuous Improvement at the Fall 2021 CAEP Conference.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• Students that maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, show proficiency in college level Mathematics and English, and are in good academic standing have a high possibility of being admitted.

Do More With Your Degree!

• Check out www.bridgewater.edu/life-at-bridgewater/career-development/career-exploration

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• All students in this program are strongly encouraged to become involved in community service projects.

• All students in this program are strongly encouraged to add a major or minor to develop professional skills such as writing, language, digital media strategy communications, business, computer programming, and art/design.

• All students are strongly encouraged to study abroad, either for one semester, two semesters, or a May-term travel course.

• All students are strongly encouraged to develop leadership and community service skills in student clubs and student government.

• All students are required to do research projects in classes and senior seminar, and they are encouraged to undertake independent study courses, honors projects, and the summer-term Research Experience @ Bridgewater.