Graduate Programs Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions:

Q1.1 How can I apply to one of JMU's graduate programs?

A. You can apply online at http://www.jmu.edu/cgop and click on "Apply Online Now!"

Q1.2 How do I get a Graduate Catalog?

A. You may view an electronic copy of the catalog at http://www.jmu.edu/cgop. Non-students can purchase a catalog at the JMU Bookstore (540/568-6121). All JMU students will receive a card in their acceptance packets that can be taken to TGS (Grace Street House: 17 W. Grace Street, off Main) for a free catalog.

Q1.3 What is the deadline for the application for a particular semester?

A. Graduate Programs have a rolling admission policy, which means that we will accept your application up to and after the stated deadlines. Some programs have specific deadlines (SEE TABLE BELOW). In order to receive full consideration for admission into the program you are applying as well as for financial aid, check the online catalog for program specific deadlines and requirements.

If the program to which you wish to apply is not listed above, you should submit your completed application by the following dates in order to receive full consideration fro admission:

Spring: September 1
Summer: February 1
Fall: May 1

Q1.4 What are the TOEFL, GRE, MAT, and GMAT requirements?

A. TOEFL scores are required of all international students whose first language is not English. GMAT's are required for Accounting Business Administration majors. Public Administration majors may take GRE's or GMAT's. See the admission requirements for the department in question for a list of approved tests. MAT's are for the Masters of Arts in Teaching Degree in Early, Middle, or Secondary Education. Current JMU undergraduate students enrolled in the 5th Year Education MAT program are not required to take GRE's.

Q1.5 What are the TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, and MAT test dates?

A. Test dates vary from year to year. They may be found in the information bulletins that are published yearly. Copies of the current bulletin may be obtained from The Graduate School in Grace Street House. Applications for these tests can be obtained through this office, your local college or university or by contacting the Educational Testing Service at (800) 473-2255 for the GRE or (800) 462-8669 for the GMAT. You can also obtain information about these tests on-line at http://www.gre.org or http://www.gmat.org Information about the MAT can be obtained from the Psychological Corporation at (800) 622-3231.

Q1.6 Are GRE preparation classes given at James Madison University?

A. Yes. Schedules for these classes are available on-line kaptest.com/gre or in the Graduate School office.

Q1.7 Are GRE's given at James Madison University?

A. No

Q1.8 I took the GRE's three years ago; are they still good or do I need to retake them?

A. GRE/GMAT/MAT scores are good for five years. After 5 years students are required to retake the test. GRE/GMAT/MAT scores submitted to TGS are kept on file for two years.

Q1.9 Why are official scores required? Won't you review with a copy?

A. Unfortunately there have been instances of students submitting fraudulent test scores. Requiring an original increases our certainty that the test score submitted is accurate.

Q1.10 How do I get additional information about departments when applying?

A. Departmental phone numbers are contained in the Graduate catalog at the beginning of each departmental description. There is also College and Department information on James Madison University's website.

Q1.11 How do I know what is missing in my application?

A. When we receive your application we send a e-mail and a memo notifying you of the material missing from your application.

Q1.12 How long does it take to process an application?

A. Your application will not be sent to the department until all required materials have been received. If we have not received all of your application materials after 60 days of receipt, a letter will be sent to you letting you know of the materials that are still missing. If we do not hear back from you, your file will be closed.

Q1.13 Why can't you tell me if I've been accepted?

A. Your application may still be under review by the program to which you've applied; we cannot give you information until a decision has been made by the program.

Q1.14 I called the program to which I've applied and they don't have my file, why not?

A. Your application file will not be sent to the department until all required materials have been received.

Q1.15 Why was I rejected?

A. The most accurate answer to this question should be obtained from the program to which you have applied. The most common reasons for rejection are poor undergraduate academic performance and low test scores (GRE,GMAT,MAT,TOEFL). Other major reasons include a poor fit between the student's career goals and the graduate program or lack of space in the program for additional students.

Q1.16 How can I find out the status of my application?

A. You can call our office at 540/568-6131 or email grad_programs@jmu.edu. Or you can check with the program to which you have applied.

Q1.17 I'm scheduled to take my GRE's and I need to know what the institutional code is for the graduate school at JMU?

A. The code is 5392

Q1.18 I had my scores and transcripts sent to you. How do I find out if you have received them, or what my scores are?

A. We can only tell the person whether or not the scores have been received. According to the rights of privacy specified by the Dulaney Amendment, we cannot divulge the scores over the phone, because we cannot verify the identity of the caller.

Q1.19 I'm going to be out of the country for a while, can my parents call your office to see if I have been accepted? Can they check the status of my application?

A. Because of confidentiality we will only tell the student the status of his or her application. We will not divulge the acceptance or non-acceptance of an applicant to anyone over the phone because we cannot verify the identity of the caller.

Q1.20 Where do I send my letters of recommendation, my personal statement and my application fee?

A. You would send your Graduate Application, application fee, official test scores, and official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended to The Graduate School and all other materials are sent to the program to which you are applying.

Tuition and Fees:

Q2.1 How many credit hours are considered full time/part time?

A. Full time is 9 or more credit hours per semester and part time is anything less than 9.

Q2.2 How many hours do I register for over the summer?

A. That should be worked out between the student and his/her program advisor.

Q2.3 How much is tuition?

A. The Office of Student Financial Services lists current tuition rates on their website. http://www.jmu.edu/ubo/rates/

Assistantships and Financial Aid:

Q3.1 How can I find out about getting an assistantship?

A. Most Teaching and Graduate Assistantships are awarded by the departments although some administrative offices also have a few GA positions. A list of hiring departments can be found on the Graduate School website at http://www.jmu.edu/cgop/assistantships.shtml Select "Assistantship Departments".

To apply for an assistantship

Q3.2 How long can I have an assistantship?

A. Students will be allowed to receive an assistantship for a maximum of four academic semesters (fall and spring) or two academic years. This is intended to encourage students to complete their programs in a timely manner and free resources for in-coming students. Summer assistantships (generally grant-funded), and doctoral assistantships are not included in this restriction. The following exceptions are made due to the length of the specific programs:

1. Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) students will take nine graduate hours each semester and will be allowed six semesters or three academic years of tuition scholarship.

2. School Psychology Master of Arts (M.A.) students will be presumed to be comitting to continue through the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) program as well; and will be allowed twelve graduate hours of tuition scholarship for six semesters or three academic years, exlusive of internship courses.

3. Counseling Psychology Educational Specialist (M.A./Ed.S.) students will be allowed nine graduate hours each semester for six semesters or three academic years, exlusive of internship courses.

Q3.3 Where do Graduate Assistants pick up assistantship checks?

A. Direct Deposit is a condition of employment at James Madison University. All employees must complete a direct deposit authorization form when they complete all other initial employment forms (i.e. tax forms, I9, contracts, etc.).

Q3.4 How often will I get paid?

A. Twice each month.

Q3.5 When will I get my first paycheck, when can I expect my last paycheck?

A. Normally, we are able to have your direct deposit active for the next payroll after submission. However, at very busy times of the year (September and January), it takes up to two pay periods to become effective. You will need to verify that money is in your account, by either contacting your bank or by providing validation from pay advice statement, before writing any checks against it. The University will not be held responsible for overdrafts. Your last paycheck will be two weeks after the last pay period worked.

Q3.6 Can I have an assistantship during the summer also?

A. Assistantships are limited to fall or spring semester, although contracts are usually written for an academic year. Students in the Master of Fine Arts degree program and the Doctoral degree programs are not subject to this limitation.

Q3.7 How can I find out about more financial aid possibilities?

A. The number for the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is 540/568-7820 or 568-6645. Or you can go to their website at http://www.jmu.edu/finaid/

U.S. and Virginia Residency:

Q4.1 If I pay in-state rates, does that mean that I am a Virginia resident?

A. Not necessarily. If you are an out-of-state student on an assistantship you may or could receive a tuition scholarship which covers your out-of-state tuition, but your out-of-state status is not changed. Should you go off the assistantship you will be charged out -of-state tuition if you have not applied for and been granted state residency.

Q4.2 How do I qualify for in-state after I no longer have an assistantship?

A. Students must apply for resident status by filing the Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates at The Graduate School. If your residency situation has changed after you have been admitted to JMU's graduate programs, you may be eligible to appeal your residency status through the University Business Office

Registration:

Q5.1 How do I register for classes?

A. All students register through JMU's Ecampus website at http://ecampus.jmu.edu

Q5.2 How do I drop a class?

A. Students may drop classes through Ecampus at http://ecampus.jmu.edu

Q5.3 The class I want is full, where do I get an override form? What do I do with the form once I've got it?

A. You get an override form from the instructor teaching the course (or his or her secretary) that you want to take. After he or she signs the form take it to the secretary for that department and the secretary will process the form.

Q5.4 What do I do if I decide to change my graduate major or degree?

A. You will need to submit another application and application fee. The program faculty must review your application in the same manner as a new student. Indicate at the top of your application that you are requesting a change of program. You will not need to resubmit your transcripts or educational scores, as they will be on file.

Q5.5 How do I get my own password?

A. You can go to http://www.jmu.edu/accounts activate your e-mail account and to set your password.

Graduation:

Q6.1 What do I need to do to apply for graduation?

A. Complete an Application for a Graduate Degree Form (which you can get at http://www.jmu.edu/cgop/App_for_Grad_Doc_Degree-Dec2007.pdf) obtaining appropriate signatures and be sure to go over the items on the Degree Requirements Checklist. Also, be sure that The Graduate School has official copies of all transcripts for transfer courses, and be sure that all fees due the university are paid.

Q6.2 When will my degree be posted?

A. After the grades from your final semester have been posted your Program of Study will be audited by Graduate Programs. Once your program of study has been signed showing completion of all requirements it will be sent to the Registrar's Office for the posting of the degree. This process can take up to six weeks.

Q6.3 My employer needs verification of my degree, what can I do?

A. By going to the JMU registrar's office at http://www.jmu.edu/registrar and clicking on forms, and then choose Request for Letter Giving Student Status. Also, faculty from your program can write a letter verifying completion of degree requirements.

Q6.4 How many faculty need to sit in on my dissertation or thesis committee?

A. Each committee must consist of at least three approved members of the JMU graduate faculty with the background and interest necessary to evaluate the research and progress of the program of study. At least two members must be from the students department or school. Check with your graduate program for specific requirements.

Q6.5 Help, one of the faculty on my dissertation or thesis committee is in the hospital/out of the country/etc.; can I get a last minute replacement for my examining committee?

A. Yes, your committee chair can arrange for a replacement using another JMU graduate faculty member.

Q6.6 I'm finishing my dissertation/thesis during the summer and will graduate in the fall, do I need to continue registering for classes?

A. Yes, you must be registered during the semester that you receive your degree. If students are not registered in regular course work, they must register for either thesis or dissertation continuance; whichever is appropriate.

General Questions

Q7.1 I took some classes at XYZ University; can I use them toward my degree?

A. You must submit a request to transfer these courses into your degree program during the first semester of enrollment to your adviser who will forward the request to the dean of graduate programs. A maximum of nine graduate hours will be considered for transfer into a student's program.

Q7.2 Under the new graduate catalog my program only requires 36 credit hours in order for me to graduate; the catalog I was accepted under requires 42; can I graduate with the catalog requiring the fewer hours?

A. Yes, you just need to submit a change of catalog request along with your advisors approval.

Q7.3 I'm in my senior year as an undergraduate at JMU and have just been accepted into JMU's graduate program. How many graduate level credit hours can I take as a graduate student?

A. If you have been accepted into a graduate program (while still an undergraduate) and are ready to enroll in courses the following semester to begin your graduate career, you will register under your Graduate academic career on e-campus for the graduate courses that you want to apply to your graduate coursework. If you have any remaining undergraduate courses for which to register, register for them under your Undergraduate academic career. If there are graduate-level courses that you are interested in taking as part of your undergraduate transcript (you must have at least 120 credit hours), register for those classes under your Undergraduate academic career (you may need permission to register for them).