Program Details
Bachelor of Science, Major in Middle Grades Education
Bachelor of ScienceJames Madison University
One or more Transfer Guides are available in the Resource Center for this Institution. 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 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.
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.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | This degree is fairly flexible and can accommodate various interests. Students must select at least one subject area minor (two is recommended). Student teaching occurs only in the spring semester of the senior year, and all content coursework must be completed prior to starting student teaching. As a Bachelor of Science degree, students are required to complete an additional math and an additional science course beyond General Education requirements. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Complete courses that are equivalents to parts of the Teacher Education Program Core (EDUC 300, PSYC 160, WRTC 103) with a C or higher. Students should also complete the Virginia Communication Literacy Assessment (VCLA) and Praxis Core Math Assessment (certain ACT or SAT Math Section scores may waive the Praxis) prior to matriculating at JMU. Students should also keep their prospective subject area(s) in mind when choosing coursework.
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| 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
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.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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.
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?
| 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... |
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College Level Information
| 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
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Eastern Shore Community College | Early Childhood Education, AAS | Associate | Associate in Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in K-8 Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Develop | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Teacher Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Teacher Education - Secondary Mathematics Specialization | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Secondary Teacher Education (English/History) | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Early Childhood Development, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Education, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-Teacher Preparation Elementary (PreK-6) Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science/Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science/Math Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science/Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences - Education Specialization | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Education Middle School Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Education Middle School Education Special Ed 6-8 | Bachelor | Bachelor of Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Middle Education: English Emphasis (Grades 6-8) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Middle Education: History and Social Sciences Emphasis (Grades 6-8) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Middle Education: Mathematics Emphasis (Grades 6-8) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Middle Education: Science Emphasis (Grades 6-8) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1081.00 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach 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 |
| 25-2022.00 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete