Program Details
Program Details
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Program Details

Bachelor of Science, Major in Secondary Education

Bachelor of Science
James Madison University

Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.

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.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree

Students interested in secondary education can choose one of two degree paths:

  • The completely undergraduate program. For this path, you you double-major in secondary education and one of eight approved subject area majors. The double-major program is rigorous. Student teaching occurs in the final semester of this program and all content coursework must be completed prior to starting student teaching
  • The dual-degree program where you earn your bachelor’s degree in one of eight approved subject area majors with a minor in Pre-Professional Secondary Education and then complete a Master of Arts degree in Teaching (MAT) in Secondary Education.

Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Students should keep their prospective subject area(s) in mind when choosing coursework.
  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org.
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and James Madison University within your first year. College Connect available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and James Madison University within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree

Earn additional endorsements in Algebra 1, Gifted Education, Journalism or minor in Exceptional Education, TESOL, Human Resources, Coaching Education, Education Media, and more (note: additional minors or endorsement areas may extend the length of program). Education is a profession of transferrable skills that can be useful in many additional career areas. Graduates go on to be middle school or high school teachers. Some return for continuing education to become Reading Specialists, Math Specialists, or Principals.

Program Successes & Highlights

All students in our programs who seek teaching jobs after graduation are employed in the field by the end of the summer after graduation. Recent graduates have continued their studies and were awarded Fulbright Scholarships. Through many and varied field placements, students not only develop teaching skills but also develop a large professional network.

Program Credit Requirements
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Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
  • Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
  • View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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The table below lists admissions agreements between James Madison University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

Institution Name Type Title
Richard Bland College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - James Madison University and Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary
Blue Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Central Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Danville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Mountain Gateway Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Eastern Shore Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Germanna Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Brightpoint Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Laurel Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Mountain Empire Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
New River Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Northern Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Paul D. Camp Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Patrick & Henry Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Piedmont Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Rappahannock Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Southside Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Southwest Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Tidewater Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Virginia Peninsula Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Virginia Highlands Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Virginia Western Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Wytheville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University

You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Completion of an approved transfer associate degree will guarantee fulfillment of JMU's General Education requirements. https://www.jmu.edu/transfer/VCCStransfer/ASDegrees.shtml

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning JMU accepts and reviews AP, IB, CIE and CLEP for all students with eligible scores, which may be different than at your prior institution. JMU will complete an independent review of the test score to apply credit to the JMU student record. Credit for prior learning (CLEP) is awarded on a per case basis for Adult Degree (Individualized Studies Majors) and RN-BSN students only and in consultation with the department of expertise, with the exception of military service credit. Credit for learning acquired in military service is awarded by the registrar's office using the ACE guide credit recommendation for study/experience listed on the military transcript and in consultation with the department of expertise.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: James Madison University
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
2481
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
55% (2023-2024)
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? JMU is a mid to large size institution that behaves more like a smaller institution. Faculty and staff hold students as the top priority. JMU has a 96% satisfaction rate. 89% of classes have less than 50 students. JMU is the #1 most recommended public University in the US by the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education; JMU is the #1 Best College for Employment in Virginia according to U.S. Department of Education statistics compiled by Zippia. JMU has the highest post-graduation job levels of all Virginia colleges.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Transfer applicants applying through the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement must submit a Letter of Intent prior to applying to JMU. Requirements and forms are available at: https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer-GAA.shtml
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Eastern Shore Community CollegeEarly Childhood Education, AASAssociateAssociate in Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in K-8 EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Teacher EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Teacher Education - Secondary Mathematics SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Secondary Teacher Education (English/History)AssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeEarly Childhood Development, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeEducation, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences in Education AssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person
Rappahannock Community CollegeAA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-Teacher Preparation Elementary (PreK-6) SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science/EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science/Math EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Science/EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Social Sciences - Education SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
George Mason UniversitySecondary Education, BSEdBachelorBachelor of Science in Education4-YearHybrid
Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Education Secondary EducationBachelorBachelor of Education4-YearIn-Person
Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Education Secondary Education Special Ed 6-12BachelorBachelor of Education4-YearIn-Person
Ferrum CollegeB.S. in Secondary Education: Agricultural Education EmphasisBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Ferrum CollegeB.S. in Secondary Education: English EmphasisBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Ferrum CollegeB.S. in Secondary Education: History and Social Sciences EmphasisBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Randolph-Macon CollegeMusic (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeEnglish (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeBusiness - Finance (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeBusiness - Management (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeFrench (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeAccounting (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeStudio Art (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeHistory (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeBusiness - Marketing (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeGerman (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeSpanish (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeCommunication Studies (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeArt History (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeGreek (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeLatin (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegePolitical Science (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegePsychology (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeTheatre (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeApplied Mathematics (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeBiology (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeChemistry - General (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeChemistry - Biochemistry (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeChemistry - Education (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeChemistry - Forensic Science (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeChemistry - Research (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeComputer Science (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeMathematics (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegePhysics (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
25-1081.00Education Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2031.00Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationTeach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 120 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at James Madison University
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $4,075 Per Semester $32,600 $0 $32,600
Fees
Comprehensive Fee $2,908 Per Semester $23,264 0 $23,264
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.