Secondary Education


The Secondary Education program consists of undergraduate (pre-professional) and graduate (professional) requirements. Successful completion of the graduate portion of the program, also referred to as the fifth year component, results in a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree. Candidates for teacher licensure in secondary education must complete both the undergraduate and graduate components of the program to fulfill requirements for a recommendation from James Madison University for a Virginia teaching license. The program is approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Candidates who complete the Secondary Education program will be able to:

  • Design and deliver curricula that effectively impact student learning,
  • Integrate technology in learning settings,
  • Work effectively with faculty and students of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and abilities,
  • Collaborate with colleagues, parents, and others,
  • Be reflective practitioners who continually evaluate their actions, and
  • Practice lifelong learning and engage in professional development.
See Secondary Ed Requirements for a summary of the program requirements.

JMU Duke Dog

GPA Requirement Changes Summer 2010

Students beginning one of the
MAT programs during the
Summer 2010 term must have an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.700 or higher.
Secondary Licensure Areas

 Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, Foreign Language,
History and Social Science, Mathematics, and Physics

Contact one of the
secondary education advisors

Department Office

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

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