B.S. in Middle Grades Education
James Madison University
Key Information
Campus location
Harrisonburg, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 6,434 / per semester **
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Request info
* regular admission | November 1st, 2022: early admission
** in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Introduction
Middle Grades Educators walk alongside adolescents during some of the most formative years of their life. They are eager to connect with their students and help them develop socially and emotionally in grades 6 through 8, collaborating with fellow teachers to create meaningful and integrated learning experiences for their students.
Because the middle grades education field is so student-focused, our educational courses give our students a firm foundation from which to understand their students and to develop relational skills and learning strategies that will positively impact their students for years to come.
*Our programs specifically prepare students for a Virginia Teaching License. Contact the Education Support Center for more information on how to be eligible for an out-of-state license after completion of our program.
Be eligible for a Virginia Teaching License in 4 years
*Only open to students graduating in the spring of 2023 or later.
- Major in Middle Grades Education with at least one content area concentration: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies. (Two concentrations are strongly recommended.)
- Ideal for highly motivated future educators wanting to get in the field quickly
- Learn how to be an educator through hands-on and practical learning experiences
- Learn cutting-edge best practices for classroom instruction
- Extensive fieldwork hours in diverse school settings in addition to student teaching
- Nationally recognized faculty consistently deliver real, formative support
- Enter the workforce with professionalism and strong content knowledge
- Be part of a program whose alumni are in high demand in the field
- Help alleviate the Virginia teacher shortage
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Middle Grades Education is an undergraduate program designed to develop content-area teachers for grades 6-8. In this major, students learn the developmental characteristics of students aged 10 to 14; the social, emotional, physical and intellectual abilities and needs of diverse middle school students; and the design of appropriate cross-disciplinary curriculum and instruction while completing multiple field experiences in local middle school classrooms.
This program of study provides students with course offerings and experiences that form the required foundation for licensure in middle education at James Madison University. Students major in middle grades education while completing licensure area course requirements in a discipline closely associated with the desired teaching area. The state-approved licensure areas in the middle grades education major at JMU are English, mathematics, science and social studies. While students must earn licensure in one concentration, it is also possible to work toward licensure in two concentrations. In most cases, licensure courses may be counted toward a minor. Licensure endorsements for specialized teaching areas (e.g., Algebra I, journalism, gifted education) are available as add-on endorsements. Students interested in pursuing any licensure option must consult with a program adviser regarding requirements and scheduling.
Students must earn a grade of “B-” or better in all required courses in the middle education major and earn credit in all licensure area content course work to continue in and complete the licensure area.
Students should consult with a middle-grades education adviser in their first year to obtain information concerning completion of General Education, major, and licensure area requirements. In addition to declaring a middle grades education major, students must apply and meet the requirements for admission to teacher education. Students must be fully admitted to teacher education prior to registering for MSSE 240.
Note: Actual teacher licensure requirements may differ from the listed catalog requirements because of changes enacted by the Virginia Department of Education and/or national accrediting agencies. Students are encouraged to confer regularly with their advisers to determine their progress toward graduation.
Degree Requirements
- General Education1,2,3 41 Credit Hours
- Quantitative Requirement 3 Credit Hours
- Scientific Literacy Requirement 3 Credit Hours
- Middle Grades Education Major Requirements 45 Credit Hours
- Licensure Area Course Requirements 28 Credit Hours
Footnotes
1 Must include PSYC 160.
2 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
3 The number of credits taken to meet major and concentration requirements may vary if courses are double-counted for General Education or to meet Quantitative or Scientific Literacy Requirements.
Major Requirements
Core Requirements
- EDUC 200. Foundations of Education in the United States Credits: 3.00
- EDUC 310. Teaching in a Diverse Society Credits: 3.00
- EXED 200. Foundations of Exceptional Education Credits: 3.00
- LED 212. Foundations of Literacy for Middle School Teachers Credits: 3.00
- LED 440. Disciplinary Literacy in Secondary Education Credits: 3.00
- MIED 211. Field Experience in Middle Education Credits: 1.00
- MIED 489. Effective Practices in Middle Education Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 240. Foundations of General Education 6-12 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 403. Behavior and Classroom Management in a Diverse Society Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 425. Assessment in Middle and Secondary Education Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 450. Internship Seminar Credits: 2.00
- MSSE 460. Differentiation for Adolescents Credits: 3.00
Student Teaching/Internship Requirements
- MSSE 475. Internship in Middle and Secondary Education Credits: 8.00
Middle Education Concentrations
Choose one of the following concentrations.
English Concentration
- MSSE 470E. English/Language Arts Teaching Methods, Grades 6-8 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 471E. Field Experience in Middle Grades Education English Credits: 1.00-3.00 (must be taken for one credit hour)
Mathematics Concentration
- MSSE 470M. Mathematics Teaching Methods, Grades 6-8 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 471M. Field Experience in Middle Grades Education Mathematics Credits: 1.00-3.00 (must be taken for one credit hour)
Science Concentration
- MSSE 470S. Natural Sciences Teaching Methods, Grades 6-8 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 471S. Field Experience in Middle Grades Education Science Credits: 1.00-3.00 (must be taken for one credit hour)
Social Studies Concentration
- MSSE 470H. Social Studies Teaching Methods, Grades 6-8 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 471H. Field Experience in Middle Grades Education Social Studies Credits: 1.00-3.00 (must be taken for one credit hour)
Recommended Schedule
First Year
- EDUC 200. Foundations of Education in the United States Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 160. Life Span Human Development [C5SD] Credits: 3.00
- General Education Cluster One Credits / Units: 18.00
- B.S. degree requirements 3.00
Second Year
- EDUC 310. Teaching in a Diverse Society Credits: 3.00
- EXED 200. Foundations of Exceptional Education Credits: 3.00
- LED 212. Foundations of Literacy for Middle School Teachers Credits: 3.00
- MIED 211. Field Experience in Middle Education Credits: 1.00
- MSSE 240. Foundations of General Education 6-12 Credits: 3.00
- General Education Credits / Units: 9.00
- B.S. degree requirements Credits / Units: 3.00
- Licensure Area Content Courses Credits / Units: 9.00
Third Year
- Remaining General Education 11.00 Credit Hours
- Licensure Area Content Courses 9.00 Credit Hours
All students seeking licensure: 6 Credit Hours
- MSSE 425. Assessment in Middle and Secondary Education Credits: 3.00
- LED 440. Disciplinary Literacy in Secondary Education Credits: 3.00
Choose one set of courses below: 4 Credit Hours
- For those seeking English licensure:
- MSSE 470E. English/Language Arts Teaching Methods, Grades 6-8 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 471E. Field Experience in Middle Grades Education English Credits: 1.00-3.00
- For those seeking social studies licensure:
- MSSE 470H. Social Studies Teaching Methods, Grades 6-8 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 471H. Field Experience in Middle Grades Education Social Studies Credits: 1.00-3.00
- For those seeking mathematics licensure:
- MSSE 470M. Mathematics Teaching Methods, Grades 6-8 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 471M. Field Experience in Middle Grades Education Mathematics Credits: 1.00-3.00
- For those seeking science licensure:
- MSSE 470S. Natural Sciences Teaching Methods, Grades 6-8 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 471S. Field Experience in Middle Grades Education Science Credits: 1.00-3.00
Fourth Year
Applications of Middle Grades Education
- MIED 489. Effective Practices in Middle Education Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 403. Behavior and Classroom Management in a Diverse Society Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 450. Internship Seminar Credits: 2.00
- MSSE 460. Differentiation for Adolescents Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 475. Internship in Middle and Secondary Education Credits: 8.00
- Licensure-Area Content Courses and/or Electives/Add-on Endorsement Credits / Units: 10.00
Scholarships and Funding
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.