Secondary Education
Program Requirements

Candidates are required to meet competencies identified by the state of Virginia as well as additional competencies required by the teacher education unit at JMU. The undergraduate program is designed to provide students with the prerequisite course offerings and experiences that form the required foundation for admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Program. Candidates must complete a major, or the equivalent, in one of the arts and sciences disciplines closely associated with the desired teaching area.

The requirements for the undergraduate and graduate degrees are as follows:

 BA/BS Undergraduate Degree

General Education

Discipline Major

Pre-Professional Studies in Education

M.A.T. Program

Graduate Level Professional Studies

 credit hours

41-44

36-60

22-24

 

35

134-163


Graduate admission requirements for current JMU undergraduate candidates include:
  • Personal qualities and dispositions that reflect effective development as a professional educator
  • An overall GPA of 2.7 or higher
  • Pass the Praxis II before completing 12 hours of graduate work

To be recommended for licensure, all candidates must:

  • Meet all secondary education pre-professional (undergraduate) and professional (M.A.T.) program requirements
  • Meet all admission, retention, and completion criteria for teacher education, including satisfactory Praxis I & II scores
  • Meet performance and behavior standards as indicated by ratings on the program Dispositions Checklist

Current JMU undergraduate students:  click here for a packet of information about the requirements for secondary education MAT program admission and completion.

Post-Baccalaureate Option (for Math, Science, English, and Foreign Language)

At the current time, the program is NOT accepting post-baccalaureate candidates in the area of History and Social Science


Students who hold a baccalaureate degree in an appropriate content area, may apply to admission to the post-bac program. The requirements for licensure are identical to those stated above. However, there are additional admission requirements.
Additional admission requirements include:
  • Minimum cummulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7
  • Successful completion of the GRE (scores in the 25th percentile or higher in the verbal, quantitative and writing tests)
  • Passing Praxis II scores submitted prior to beginning MAT coursework
Additional admission requirements to be mailed directly to the Secondary Education Department Office:
  • Resume
  • Two recommendation letters with at least one from a higher education professional
Each recommendtation letter should address the following:
  • Potential as a classroom teacher
  • Oral and written expression
  • Performance as a professional
  • Potential to succeed in a graduate program

Post-baccaluareate applicants:  click here for a packet of information about the requirements for secondary education MAT program admission and completion.

JMU Duke Dog

New Grading Policy
begins Fall 2011

Beginning Fall 2011, middle and secondary education candidates will be required to earn grades of "B-" or better in all pre-professional (undergraduate) education coursework. The only exception to this requirement is GPSYC 160 in which students must earn a grade of "C" or better.

Secondary Licensure Areas

 Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science,
English, Foreign Language,
History and Social Science,
Mathematics, and Physics
Add-on Endorsements

Algebra I, Gifted Education, &
Journalism
Secondary Education MAT 
Program Information Sheet
Department Office

3200 Memorial Hall
MSC 6912
395 South High Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Phone: 540-568-6486
Fax: 540-568-4550