A method and structure for a non-volatile magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device that has a stable magnetic electrode, an oxide layer adjacent the stable magnetic electrode, and a free magnetic electrode. The oxide layer is between the stable magnetic electrode and the free magnetic electrode. In the invention, a conductor is connected to a stable magnetic electrode. The oxide layer has a resistance at levels to allow sufficient power dissipation to lower the anisotropy of the free magnetic electrode through current induced heating. Current-induced heating is used in combination with spin-transfer torque or a magnetic field to switch the free magnetic electrode.