Education, Secondary Education 6-12 Bachelor's/Master's (5th year) at James Madison University

The Education, Secondary Education 6-12 Bachelor's/Master's (5th year) is a Master degree offered by James Madison University at its main campus in Harrisonburg , United States of America. The program is delivered on campus as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 2 years to complete. Students study at the university's main campus while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study. The next intake is available from August 23, 2026.

About Education, Secondary Education 6-12 Bachelor's/Master's (5th year)

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Education with a concentration in Secondary Education degree emphasizes the preparation of effective and reflective teachers who are knowledgeable in the content they are preparing to teach and cognizant of the characteristics of adolescents, ages 12-18. The areas in which individuals may be licensed include English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth and space science, physics, and history and social sciences (includes licensure to teach history, economics, geography and political science).

This M.A.T. pathway is the second stage of the “Double Duke” Secondary Education licensure program and is available only to current undergraduate students majoring in one of the licensure areas listed above. Students who are not JMU undergraduate students who are enrolled in secondary education programs should consider our master’s degree that leads to initial licensure in secondary education. Undergraduate candidates planning to teach at the secondary level (grades 6-12) should contact the Middle, Secondary, and Mathematics Department (www.jmu.edu/coe/msme/) for more information and to meet with an education advisor to ensure completion of the required pre-professional Secondary Education minor. A specific arts and sciences major or equivalent course work and experiences may be required for admission to some programs of the M.A.T. and for licensure to teach in certain disciplines and grade levels. Candidates should check with their advisor frequently to be apprised of changes in the offerings and requirements listed that may affect them.

The three graduate semesters of this licensure program builds on the extensive foundational course work and experiences candidates completed in their undergraduate program. Candidates will have completed the prescribed course work to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors needed for successful completion of the M.A.T.

Candidates interested in the requirements for the M.A.T. program with a concentration in physical and health education (PreK-12) should refer to the description for that program in the Department of Kinesiology. Candidates interested in the requirements for the secondary licensure program with a concentration in foreign languages should refer to the description for that program in Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures in the undergraduate catalog.

Disciplines

Education

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Education, Secondary Education 6-12 Bachelor's/Master's (5th year) at James Madison University

Entry Requirements

Anyone who has or will obtain a Bachelor's degree from an officially recognized college or university outside or inside the U.S. may apply for graduate admission.

Individuals who complete a 3-year bachelor’s degree from countries where this is a common standard are eligible to apply to graduate programs at JMU. An additional year of coursework is not required. Programs evaluate the courses completed by each student. In the rare case that deficiencies are identified, programs may require or recommend some specific preparatory courses beyond the normal graduate program to help the student successfully complete their graduate program.

English Requirements

PTEMin 58
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 81

Fee Information

Application Fee 60

How to Apply

The online application will ask you to enter personal information such as your address and contact information; your academic and employment history; and other information that will be used for acceptance decisions. Requirements vary by program. Visit your program webpage to review your program's requirements.

In addition to entering information, the online application may require you to upload documents such as resumes or personal statements before clicking the submit button. You will see a pop-up view of every item you upload. Check the quality and accuracy of your uploaded documents. Illegible documents will not be processed.

Please do not send or mail items if we have not requested them. They may not be processed and may delay your application.

Transcripts & Credential Evaluation

Details regarding transcripts and credential evaluations from non-US academic institutions can be found on the Transcripts & Credential Evaluation webpage.

Applicants should upload unofficial transcripts with their online application. If your transcript is not from JMU, OFFICIAL and FINAL transcripts demonstrating the degree has conferred will be required AFTER you are accepted into a program. Instructions will be in your acceptance letter.

Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions should be uploaded with your electronic application and may be used for departmental admission review purposes. If offered admission, you will be directed and required to submit to the JMU Graduate School an official transcript from any institution from which a degree has been awarded to finalize your admission. Transcripts are considered official if they are sent to JMU directly from the issuing institution.

Official transcripts can also be sent through an electronic transcript database provider such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or others. When using these services, please choose “other” or “employer” and use [email protected].

Letters of Recommendation

Some programs require letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are not uploaded by the applicant, but instead, they are submitted directly by the recommender. As you complete the online application, you must enter information about each person who will submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. We recommend that you contact your potential references before entering their names. The online application system will send an e-mail to each of the people you identify, and will ask them to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf directly to the application system.

To check if your recommenders have sent their letters or to make changes, login to your online application, click on "Review Your Activity," navigate to "Review Page," then click on "Manage Your Recommenders."

Officially accepted test scores and demonstration of English language proficiency

If English is not your native-language, applicants must present evidence of English proficiency. Completion of an undergraduate program in which English is the primary language of instruction is considered good evidence of English-language proficiency. Individual programs may have specific requirements for TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or other English language proficiency criteria, so check with your program of interest. Your application will be reviewed based on the evidence received with your application. Please follow this link to learn more details about English language proficiency

Education, Secondary Education 6-12 Bachelor's/Master's (5th year) at James Madison University

James Madison University

United States of America, Harrisonburg