Education Programs at James Madison University
The College of Education does not offer majors. Individuals interested in pursuing a teacher license major in a discipline and complete a teaching area pre-professional program at the undergraduate level. The teacher licensure program is completed during the fifth year Master of Arts in Teaching program. Individuals wishing to become licensed teachers in inclusive early childhood, elementary, special or middle education major in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies (IDLS) and complete a pre-professional licensure program specific to the teaching license pursued at the undergraduate level.
Inclusive Early Childhood Education Master's Level Licensure Program
Birth – Age Five
Elementary Education
PreKindergarten through Sixth Grade Master's Level Licensure Program
Middle Education
Grades Six through Eight Master's Level Licensure Program
Secondary Education
Grades Six through Twelve Master's Level Licensure Program
Exceptional Education
Early Childhood Special Education
Special Education – Kindergarten through Twelve
Gifted Education
Teaching English as a Second Language
Special Education Non-teaching minor
Teacher Education Pre-professional Licensure Programs
Students interested in teacher licensure will major in an academic field and complete all of the requirements for the teacher education program. Depending on the field of study, initial licensure is earned at the bachelor or master's level. The following chart describes the licensure areas, degree required, major field of study and academic unit.
| Licensure Area | Degree Required |
Major Field of Study | Academic Unit |
| Art Education, PreK-12 |
Bachelor's | Art | School of Art, Design and Art History |
| Dance Education, PreK-12 |
Bachelor's | Dance | School of Theatre and Dance |
| Music Education, PreK-12 |
Bachelor's | Music | School of Music |
| Physical/Health Education, PreK-12 |
Master's | Kinesiology | Department of Kinesiology |
| Inclusive Early Childhood Education Birth-Age 8 |
Master's | IDLS with education pre-professional licensure program |
Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies; Department of Early, Elementary and Reading Education; Department of Exceptional Education |
| Elementary Education, PreK-6 |
Master's | IDLS with education pre-professional licensure program |
Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies; Department of Early, Elementary and Reading Education |
| English as a Second | Master's | See program adviser for options. | Department of Exceptional Education; Department of Learning, Technology and Leadership Education |
| Middle Level Education, 6-8 |
Master's | IDLS with education pre-professional licensure program |
Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies; Department of Middle, Secondary and Mathematics Education |
| Secondary Education, 6-12 |
Master's | Content major 1 with education pre-professional licensure program | Department of Middle, Secondary and Mathematics Education |
| Special Education,2 K-12; IECE |
Master's | IDLS with education pre-professional licensure program |
Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies; Department of Exceptional Education |
| Theatre Education PreK-12 |
Bachelor's | IDLS with education pre-professional licensure program |
School of Theatre and Dance |
1 Biology, chemistry, English, foreign language, geology, history, mathematics, political science, physics.
2 IDLS is the recommended major.
