The program in secondary education, including the undergraduate component and the M.A.T., is designed to prepare teachers who are reflective decision-makers. Teachers who are reflective decision-makers are able to choose from among known educational alternatives to maximize student learning in a variety of instructional situations.
The undergraduate program in secondary education is designed to provide candidates 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. Completion of the M.A.T. program is required for a recommendation for licensure in secondary education through JMU. Undergraduate candidates who are planning to pursue licensure to teach in an academic area at the secondary school level should complete the 23 credit hour pre-professional program in education.
Candidates should also complete a major or the equivalent in one of the arts and sciences disciplines closely associated with the desired teaching area. The state approved licensure areas in the secondary education program at JMU include: English, mathematics, the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, earth science), and history/social science (social studies). Licensure endorsements for other teaching areas (e.g., algebra I, journalism and gifted education) are available as add-on programs. Candidates should contact the departmental office for information concerning those programs.
Candidates should consult with the department head or an adviser in secondary education early during the first year or as soon, thereafter, as possible to obtain information concerning completing the related General Education and content area requirements, as well as the undergraduate and graduate education requirements.
The secondary education licensure program is an integrated program of undergraduate and graduate requirements and experiences. It is important for candidates to understand that they must meet the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and that the appropriate undergraduate pre-professional courses and experiences must be completed satisfactorily before they will be admitted to the M.A.T. program.
Candidates must earn a grade of “B-” or better in all required pre-professional undergraduate courses in the education program and at least a “C-” in content course work to continue in and complete the pre-professional program. Consult The Graduate Catalog for M.A.T. graduate requirements. Admission to and the satisfactory completion of the M.A.T. program are required in order to receive a recommendation through JMU for a teaching license at the secondary school level.
Candidates should note that they must be fully admitted to teacher education prior to registering for courses in the pre-professional secondary education program. Candidates should also note that actual teacher licensure requirements may differ from the catalog requirements listed for a program 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 with their education advisers on a regular basis.
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