KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo soon will add another degree option for history and political science majors – boosting careers in secondary education and enhancing preparation for graduate school.
The IU Board of Trustees Friday (June 22) approved the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in History/Political Science, and will be offered after a final nod from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
"This degree program will make it more feasible for students to double major with secondary education social studies," said Paul Paese, dean of the School of Education. "Our region will benefit from having teachers who bring more depth in these subjects to our high school classrooms."
Susan Sciame-Giesecke, executive vice chancellor of academic affairs, added that faculty have worked diligently to provide a B.S. option in all majors at the Kokomo campus.
"IU Kokomo now will have a full complement of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree options," Sciame-Giesecke said. "The B.S. degree allows students to specialize, and is another alternative for a competitive job market."
It is estimated about one-third of secondary education majors focusing on social studies will enroll in the new program.
In addition to graduate school or teaching careers, graduates can work in criminal justice, public service and other fields.
Sciame-Giesecke said there are additional new degree programs being developed, as planners determine regional needs.
"We will continue to assess the needs of our region and provide new degree opportunities we have never had before," she said.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.