Inside USBE > Departments and Programs > Teaching and Learning > Academic Areas and Supporting Programs > Social Studies
The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) defines social studies as "the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence." For students to become fully empowered participants in democracy, attention must be paid to this "civic competence." The social studies, including history, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, are central to the mission of public schools.
The Utah Standards for Social Studies reflect the content, concepts, and skills considered essential for all students.The newly revised secondary social studies standards were adopted in the December 2016 Utah State Board of Education (USBE) meeting.
With the additional adoption of the Utah Core Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects came an opportunity to ensure a seamless connection between the content and concepts in the existing social studies standards and the literacy skills in the ELA core.
The term literacy is too often considered solely an ELA term. In fact, literacy is a term that transcends disciplines. We must have historically literate students, with all the skills essential to understand and appreciate the rich tapestry of human history. We must have geographically literate students able to understand the world around them. Clearly economic literacy is essential for the well-being of our students and nation. Civic literacy is essential for the sustaining of our democratic republic.
Core Standards for Social Studies: Grades K-2
Online Resources
Kindergarten | Grade 1 | Grade 2
Utah Education Network (UEN)
Utah Core Standards Elementary Social Studies
Passed December 2022 for implementation during the 2024-2025 school year.
Core Standards for Social Studies: Grades 3-6
Online Resources
Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6
Utah Education Network (UEN)
Utah Core State Standards for Social Studies: Grades 7-12
Anthropology
While Anthropology is not a core requirement for High School graduation it is often taught as an elective course in Utah. Course outlines created by teachers will often refer to national standards.
Economics
While Economics is not a core requirement for High School graduation, it is often taught as an elective course in Utah. Course descriptions created by teachers will often follow national standards.
Psychology
While Psychology is not a core requirement for High School graduation it is often taught as an elective course in Utah. Course descriptions created by teachers will often follow national standards.
National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula
American Psychology Association
Sociology
While Sociology is not a core requirement for High School graduation it is often taught as an elective course in Utah. Course descriptions created by teachers will often follow national standards.
United States Government and Citizenship
Utah Core State Standards for Social Studies: United States Government and Citizenship
United States History I
Utah Core State Standards for Social Studies: United States History I
United States History II
Utah Core State Standards for Social Studies: United States History II
Utah Studies
Utah Core State Standards for Social Studies: Utah Studies
World Geography
Utah Core State Standards for Social Studies: World Geography
World History
Note: If you need this information in an accessible format contact the department directly.
There are nine separate social studies endorsements. For information on endorsement options and requirements, please refer to the following:
Social Studies Composite Endorsement
Utah Studies Endorsement
Utah State Board of Education Educator Licensing
Anthropology Endorsement (Retiring)
Economics Endorsement (Retiring)
Geography Endorsement (Retiring)
History Endorsement (Retiring)
Political Science Endorsement (Retiring)
Psychology Endorsement (Retiring)
Social Studies Composite Endorsement (Retiring)
Sociology Endorsement (Retiring)
Utah Studies Endorsement (Retiring)
Utah State Board of Education Educator Licensing
The Utah State Board of Education, in partnership with the Utah Education Network (UEN), offers a full slate of social studies endorsement courses designed to provide Utah educators with rigorous course content eligible for higher education credit, while allowing maximum flexibility for participants.
Online Social Studies Endorsement Course Schedule
These courses demand considerable work per week per course. Therefore, educators may only register for two courses per term. However, with careful planning, it should be possible to complete endorsement requirements in a timely manner.
Dear Administrators and Educators,
The Capitol Preservation Board is thrilled to share good news about ongoing legislative transportation funding for tours.
Educators may bring students to the Capitol during the legislative session, or anytime during the school year to join in a docent led tour, or a self-guided tour and request for reimbursement of transportation costs. Requests for reimbursement can be submitted to the Capitol Preservation Board.
Field Trip Funding
To submit a request. Requests will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Schedule a Tour
To schedule a docent led tour.
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is an amazing opportunity for motivated student leaders to have direct contact with the highest-level elected and appointed officials in the nation. Sponsored by the Senate and funded and administered by The Hearst Foundations since 1962, the USSYP mission is to encourage the best and brightest students in America's high schools to pursue careers in public service.
The Hearst Foundation's United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) 61st Annual Washington Week will take place March 4-11, 2023, with current planning for a timely national selection process and an in-person program in Washington, D.C., pending public health and safety guidelines for travel and indoor gatherings.
Two student leaders from each state will spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by The Hearst Foundations. In addition, each delegate will also be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.
High school juniors and seniors may qualify to apply through leadership positions they currently hold per the USSYP official criteria for the current 2022-2023 academic year. All student leadership qualifying positions are subject to the judgement of the state selection administrator and will be verified and confirmed.
To apply, students must be nominated by their school. Each Utah high school is invited and encouraged to nominate two exceptional high school juniors or seniors serving in an elected or appointed position with a strong interest in government and history. Schools must have their nominations submitted to the Utah State Board of Education by 5 p.m., Friday, September 9, 2022.
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
School nominations will now be accepted
Friday, September 9, 2022
School nominations due to the Utah State Board of Education (two per school)
Deadline: 5 p.m.
Monday, September 12, 2022
Nominated students will receive an e-mail with further instructions for applying and submitting a portfolio
Friday, October 7, 2022
Student portfolios due to the Utah State Board of Education
Deadline: 11:59 p.m.
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Time: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Student nominees will meet with judges to vie for a $10,000 scholarship and an invitation to participate in Washington Week
Saturday, March 4, 2023 - Saturday, March 11, 2023
Washington Week
United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP)
United States Senate Youth Program Fifty-Ninth Annual Washington Week Online March 14-17, 2021
For a link to the school nominee submission form, or for additional questions or information school representatives should contact Brenda McMurtrey at brenda.mcmurtrey@schools.utah.gov.
Utah Educational Network (UEN)
The Utah State Board of Education, in partnership with the Utah Education Network (UEN), offers a full slate of social studies endorsement courses designed to provide Utah educators with rigorous course content eligible for higher education credit, while allowing maximum flexibility for participants.
Online Social Studies Endorsement Course Schedule
These courses demand considerable work per week per course. Therefore, educators may only register for two courses per term. However, with careful planning, it should be possible to complete endorsement requirements in a timely manner.
In 2015 the Utah Legislature passed the American Civics Education Initiative, which requires the successful passage of a basic civics test as a condition of graduation. Below is a link to frequently asked questions, sample assessments, and additional supports, including a resource that shows how teachers can raise the cognitive rigor of the assessment content in their classroom.
American Civics Education Initiative
Utah Education Network (UEN)