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Pre-Professional Licensure Programs
Colleges:
College of Education
College of Arts and Letters
College of Integrated Science and Technology
College of Science and Mathematics
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Admission and Progression Standards for this Program:
Click on the link to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this program: http://www.jmu.edu/wm2move/advising/preprofessional/education.shtml
Description
of Education Pre-Professional Programs:
James Madison University offers various programs that lead to licensure or advanced study in education.
Students interested in inclusive early childhood, elementary, middle grades, or special education pre-professional programs are advised to major in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies (IDLS). Students interested in the secondary education pre-professional program can select from an approved list of majors (including Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Earth Science, History, Physics, Political Science, Math, English, Modern Foreign Languages) appropriate to complement this program. Along with a pre-professional program in secondary education, students interested in History or Political Science will also minor in Interdisciplinary Social Science. Students interested in art, music, or physical and health education (Kinesiology), major in those areas. The education pre-professional programs in Inclusive Early Childhood Education, Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Special Education are five-year programs with a combined degree, allowing students to earn a master's degree. The Art and Music education majors are completed as undergraduate programs. Teacher education programs include content on various aspects of education such as human development theory and research, philosophies and history of American education, teaching methods and materials, and educational technology integrated with opportunities for practical experience. Students can declare an education pre-professional program and
apply for admission to teacher education programs by contacting the appropriate education program coordinator and/or the Education Support Center in Memorial Hall. All of the teacher education programs are nationally accredited. Scholarships and financial support are available to students once they have entered an education program. The College of Education also offers undergraduate minors in Educational Media, English as a Second Language, Human Resource Development, non-teaching Special Education (for students not interested in teaching Special Education), and Military Leadership.
Tell
me more about the Education Pre-Professional Programs at JMU.
Students who wish to pursue a course of study leading
to initial teaching licensure must meet the requirements
for admission in the Teacher Education Program and any
admission requirements of the specialty program. Students
should begin the process by contacting the appropriate program coordinator and/or the Education
Support Center because there are many pieces to the
application process. Criteria for admission include
a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, competency in written
and oral English, mathematics and GPSY 160 (Human Growth
and Development), and a satisfactory score on the Praxis
PPST: Reading, mathematics and writing tests, completion of Child Abuse Prevention Training and Universal Precautions training. Once a student has met all the admissions criteria for Teacher Education, he/she will subscribe to TK 20: Campus Tools, an integrated data management system for teacher education students and faculty, by paying a one time user fee ($100-105.00). Since
students must closely follow their licensure program,
it is extremely important to obtain and consult with
an education advisor.
Tell
me more about the specialty programs in teacher education.
A variety of opportunities exist in the area of teacher education. The licensure programs combine both educational theory and practice in their requirements. Students in Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education are prepared to design activities to help young children with and without special needs learn about themselves and the social and physical environment. Students in Middle Education are prepared to design curriculum and activities appropriate to the social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs of children ages 10 ‑14. Secondary Education prepares students to become high school teachers in content areas such as English, foreign languages, mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences. The Special Education program prepares individuals to teach students with disabilities in grades K-12 who will access the general education curriculum of all educational levels, with mild handicaps, specifically those who have mental retardation, emotional disturbance, and learning disabilities.
What
common major or minor combinations from other departments
complement this major?
Inclusive Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle Education pre-professional program participants are required to declare Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies (IDLS) as their major. Special Education pre-professional program participants will be advised to declare Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies (IDLS) as their major. It is not recommended to pursue an additional major or minor since the IDLS major and Education pre-professional programs are quite rigorous and time intensive. Students pursuing Secondary Education as their pre-professional program should choose a major in the arts, humanities or sciences. Students should consult with an advisor in the education program in which they are interested. Some examples of majors include: Art, Biology, Chemistry, English, Geology/Earth Sciences, History, Kinesiology (physical and health education), Math, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, Physics and Political Science.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Strong communication skills, in both oral and written
expression, are very essential. Leadership ability,
patience, enthusiasm, and an ability to handle a variety
of situations are also important.
CAREERS
The occupations listed below provide a sample of career
options one may choose with this academic background.
Many more occupations exist and are worth investigating.
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