Through the College of Graduate and Outreach Programs, JMU permits
students who are not seeking a degree to enroll and register for up
to 11 hours of course credit during each session as nondegree students.
Although the courses taken carry university credit, they do not fulfill degree requirements. Taking a course as a nondegree student does not constitute admission to a program or imply later applicability of these courses toward a program. If such students subsequently seek admission to work
toward a degree, courses taken in "non-degree" status will
be evaluated to determine their applicability to the degree being sought.
Nondegree students must submit the application form, including information about residency, and a nonrefundable
$15 fee for
each semester of attendance 10 days prior to the day they seek
to register to the College of Graduate and Outreach Programs. (Certificate Program students pay a $45 application fee, and do not have to apply in subsequent semesters.)Information
from these forms must be entered into the student information system
before the student will be able to register for classes.
Payment of the nonrefundable fee does not constitute acceptance to the
university or guarantee courses can be obtained through registration.
An individual who has been academically dismissed from another institution
or denied regular admission to JMU shall be required to wait for a period
of at least one calendar year for admission as a non-degree student.
Adult Nondegree Students
Undergraduate students may enroll at JMU as adult nondegree seeking students and
register to take up to 11 semester hours per semester for college credit
without qualifying credentials if they meet all of the following conditions:
If they are bona fide residents of the JMU service region as defined
by the College of Graduate and Outreach Programs, and
If they have high school diplomas or equivalent, and
If they have had an interruption of at least two years in their
formal education at the time of entry.
Adult nondegree seeking students desiring to become regular degree-seeking students
should contact the Office of Admission for advising. It is important
to note that the taking of courses as a nondegree student does not
constitute admission to a program, imply later applicability of these
courses toward a program, or imply preferential regular admissions consideration.
Returning adult students interested in earning a bachelors degree should
contact the Adult Degree Program.
Adult students who have earned at least 30 semester hours of credit
at JMU or transferable credit from another appropriately accredited
institution of higher education may enroll in an individualized adult
degree program. Orientation courses (BIS 200A-C) are provided to assist
returning adult learners to transcend back to school.
Audit Students
Persons who do not wish to receive credit for courses may register to
audit. Fees for audit will be assessed on the same basis as fees for
credit. Approval to audit must be obtained from the head of the department
offering the course.
Certificate Program Students
Students applying for a certificate program should complete the nondegree seeking
student application, in-state form, and check the certificate special
box. Please indicate the certificate program desired. Students should
check with departments about specific application requirements.
High School Nondegree Students High school students who have completed their junior year may enroll
at JMU as nondegree students. They may register for classes in the
summer term preceding their senior year and/or during their senior year.
While recent high school graduates may register for summer work as non-degree
students, this does not constitute admission to subsequent terms.
Students in this program may enroll for no more than two courses during
the summer term and for one course each term while attending high school
classes.
High school students seeking to register at JMU under this program must
submit the Nondegree Seeking Student Application form, a recommendation from the high school principal or guidance
counselor, and a transcript of high school grades. Registration must
be approved by the head of the department(s) in which the student desires
to take a course(s). Should the student enroll as a full-time student
at JMU following high school graduation, credits earned, where appropriate,
will apply toward degree requirements following the completion of one
term. Transfer of these credits to other colleges will be at the discretion
of the institution concerned.
International Nondegree Students
Students from foreign countries who are attending JMU for one semester,
or in certain cases a full academic year, under a program sponsored
by the university and a foreign institution of higher education are
classified as International nondegree students. These students will
be accorded all rights and privileges and will be expected to meet the
same responsibilities as regular JMU students. These students will be
permitted to take over 11 semester hours with the approval of the international
student advisor.
Senior Citizens
Senior citizens, age 60 or over, who are legal residents of Virginia
may enroll as non-degree students. Some senior students may qualify
for a waiver of tuition and applicable fees. Additional information
may be obtained from the College of Graduate and Outreach Programs.
