B.S. in Secondary 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
Secondary Educators are passionate about helping their students discover the wonders of learning. They are eager to explore content in deep and meaningful ways with their students in grades 6 through 12, teaching at a higher level of cognitive complexity than typically experienced in middle or elementary school classrooms.
Because the secondary education field is so content-focused, our students major in their content area which gives them a firm foundation from which to build appropriately challenging and integrated lessons that will 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 at the end of your Undergraduate-Only Program
*Only open to students graduating in spring of 2023 or later.
- Double major in Secondary Education (1st major) and the content area you want to teach and are passionate about (2nd major)
- 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
Students in this double major program complete an undergraduate-only path to teacher licensure which results in the student being eligible for a Virginia Teaching License in grades 6-12 at the end of their undergraduate career. Students will major in Secondary Education and their content area. See the "Student Information Packet" below for more information about the program.
The undergraduate major in Secondary Education provides candidates with course offerings and experiences that form the required foundation for licensure in secondary education through James Madison University. In addition to the Secondary Education major, students also complete a major in a discipline closely associated with the desired teaching area. The state-approved licensure areas in the Secondary Education concentration at JMU include English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics and history/social sciences. Licensure endorsements for other teaching areas (e.g., Algebra I, Journalism, and Gifted Education) are available as add-on endorsements. Students should contact the department of Middle, Secondary, and Mathematics Education for information concerning those programs.
For successful completion of the Secondary Education major, students must earn a grade of “B-” or better in all required Secondary Education courses and earn credit in all licensure area content coursework. Satisfactory completion of both the Secondary Education major and the content area major or equivalent is necessary to receive an endorsement recommendation through JMU for a teaching license.
Students should be aware that there is a teacher education admission process that must be completed after a Secondary Education major is declared. Students must be fully admitted to Teacher Education prior to registering for MSSE 240. Students should also note that actual teacher licensure requirements may differ from the catalog requirements listed because of changes enacted by the Virginia Department of Education or accrediting agencies after the catalog copy is approved. Therefore, it is important for students to confer regularly with their Secondary Education advisers.
Degree Requirements
- General Education1,2,3 41 Credit Hours
- Quantitative Requirement 3 Credit Hours
- Scientific Literacy Requirement 3 Credit Hours
- Secondary Education Major Requirements 45 Credit Hours
- Additional Content Major Requirements 36-56 Credit Hours
NOTE: Because many of the Additional Content Major Requirements are also counted in the totals shown above for General Education, degree requirements and major requirements, students will take a total of 125-128 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
Education - Secondary Core
- 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
- 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
- LED 440. Disciplinary Literacy in Secondary Education Credits: 3.00
Education – Student Teaching / Internship
- MSSE 475. Internship in Middle and Secondary Education Credits: 8.00
Secondary Education Major Tracks
Students should select one of the following tracks and complete 11 credits.
Chemistry, Biology or Physics Track
- 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)
- MSSE 480S. Science Content Methods, Grades 9-12 Credits: 2.00
- MSSE 481S. Science Field Placement, Grades 9-12 (Lab) Credits: 1.00
Choose one:
- MSSE 397. Science Pedagogy Credits: 2.00
- PHYS 302. Science Pedagogy Credits: 2.00
Choose one:
- MSSE 495. Topics in Science Pedagogical Content Knowledge Credits: 2.00
- BIO 489. Topics in Science Pedagogical Content Knowledge Credits: 2.00
English Track
- 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
- MSSE 480E. English/Language Arts Content Methods, Grades 9-12 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 481E. English Field Placement, Grades 9-12 (Lab) Credits: 1.00
- LED 254. Literature for Adolescents Credits: 3.00
Social Studies Track
- 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
- MSSE 480H. Social Studies Content Methods, Grades 9-12 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 481H. Social Studies Field Placement, Grades 9-12 (Lab) Credits: 1.00
- MSSE 489H. Special Topics in Social Studies Pedagogical Content Knowledge Credits: 3.00
Mathematics Track
- 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
- MSSE 480M. Mathematics Content Methods, Grades 9-12 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 481M. Mathematics Field Placement, Grades 9-12 (Lab) Credits: 1.00
- MSSE 489M. Special Topics in Math Pedagogical Content Knowledge Credits: 3.00
- Total Education Major and Student Teaching/Internship: 45 credits
Recommended Schedule
First Year
- PSYC 160. Life Span Human Development [C5SD] Credits: 3.00
- EDUC 200. Foundations of Education in the United States Credits: 3.00
- General Education Cluster One Credits / Units: 18.00 - 21.00
- B.S. degree requirements Credits / Units: 3.00 - 6.00
Second Year
- EDUC 310. Teaching in a Diverse Society Credits: 3.00
- EXED 200. Foundations of Exceptional Education Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 240. Foundations of General Education 6-12 Credits: 3.00
- General Education Cluster Two Credits / Units: 9.00-12.00
- B.S. degree requirements Credits / Units: 0.00-3.00
- Content Major Courses Credits / Units: 9.00-12.00
Third Year
- Remaining General Education 8.00 Credit Hours
- Content Major Courses 15.00 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:
- 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
- MSSE 460. Differentiation for Adolescents Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 403. Behavior and Classroom Management in a Diverse Society Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 450. Internship Seminar Credits: 2.00
- MSSE 475. Internship in Middle and Secondary Education Credits: 8.00 4
- Licensure-Area Courses and/or Electives and/or Add-on Endorsement Credits / Units: 12.00
Choose one from each set of courses below: 3-4
- For those seeking English licensure:
- MSSE 480E. English/Language Arts Content Methods, Grades 9-12 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 481E. English Field Placement, Grades 9-12 (Lab) Credits: 1.00
- For those seeking social studies licensure:
- MSSE 480H. Social Studies Content Methods, Grades 9-12 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 481H. Social Studies Field Placement, Grades 9-12 (Lab) Credits: 1.00
- For those seeking mathematics licensure:
- MSSE 480M. Mathematics Content Methods, Grades 9-12 Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 481M. Mathematics Field Placement, Grades 9-12 (Lab) Credits: 1.00
- For those seeking science licensure:
- MSSE 480S. Science Content Methods, Grades 9-12 Credits: 2.00
- MSSE 481S. Science Field Placement, Grades 9-12 (Lab) Credits: 1.00
- Choose one:
- MSSE 495. Topics in Science Pedagogical Content Knowledge Credits: 2.00
- BIO 489. Topics in Science Pedagogical Content Knowledge Credits: 2.00
Choose one Pedagogical Content Knowledge Course: 2-3 Credit Hours
- MSSE 489E. Special Topics in English Pedagogical Content Knowledge Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 489H. Special Topics in Social Studies Pedagogical Content Knowledge Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 489M. Special Topics in Math Pedagogical Content Knowledge Credits: 3.00
- MSSE 495. Topics in Science Pedagogical Content Knowledge Credits: 2.00
- BIO 489. Topics in Science Pedagogical Content Knowledge Credits: 2.00
Footnote
4 Students are responsible for transportation to field placements at local schools.
Before beginning the licensure portion of the professional program, candidates must meet all criteria for admission to teacher education (e.g., 2.5 or higher GPA, passing Praxis Entry Assessment scores). Candidates are expected to complete all admission processes early in their sophomore year. Candidates must meet all additional requirements of the program before completion. Candidates must submit passing scores on the Praxis Subject Assessment prior to beginning MSSE 475.
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.