About James Madison University
James Madison University, established in 1908, is located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The university is a public, comprehensive university located within a 2 hour drive from Washington, D.C. James Madison University (JMU) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. JMU is divided into six colleges with 67 undergraduate majors and 36 graduate programs. The student enrollment of about 17,00 students makes the university a mid-sized school. Several national publications have consistently ranked James Madison University among the best undergraduate, public universities in the U.S.A. For the 12th consecutive year and 16th time, James Madison University ranked as the top, public, master's level university in the South in the annual poll on academic quality conducted by U.S. News & World Report. JMU also had the highest graduation rate - 80% - overall among public and private colleges in the South.
JMU encourages the enrollment of international students. JMU hosted over 440 international and foreign-born students from 55 different countries this year. JMU boasts over 300 different student clubs and organizations including: Africa Student Organization, Arabic Club, Asian Student Union, Black Student Alliance, Chinese Student Association, Circolo Culturale Italiano, French Club, Global Nonviolence Club, Hillel Counselorship, International Student Association, Korean Student Association, Latino Student Alliance, Madison House International Residence Hall, Madison International Association, Mid-East Interest Club, Muslim Student Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Russian Club, Students for Minority Outreach, Vietnamese Student Association, Women of Color.
JMU's International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) offers support and services to our international community. Each year, they present numerous cultural programs and educational events each year on JMU's campus for the benefit of the international community including: welcome picnics, receptions honoring graduating seniors, lectures, monthly activities such as snow-tubing, dinners and study breaks, academic advising, shopping trips, tax workshops and newsletters. Other major ISSS events offered each year include: Transitions, a two-day international student orientation for new students; International Week, a week-long celebration of different cultures with student performances, musical presentations, an international bazaar and a fashion show; the International Student Leadership Conference; International Career Day, a program designed to assist international students with finding jobs after graduation.