VII.D. General University Information
VII.D.1. Mission Statement
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
VII.D.2. History
The university was established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg. In 1914, the name of the university was changed to the State Normal School for Women at Harrisonburg. Authorization to award bachelor's degrees was granted in 1916. During this initial period of development, the campus plan was established and six buildings were constructed.
The university became the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg in 1924 and continued under that name until 1938, when it was named Madison College in honor of the fourth president of the United States. In 1977 the university's name was changed to James Madison University. For more information: History.
VII.D.3. Accreditation and Affiliation
Accreditation
JMU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the bachelor's, master's, Educational Specialist, Doctor of Audiology, Doctor of Music, Doctor of Psychology, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
Additional Accreditation
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
- Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration
- American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- American Chemical Society
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
- American Psychological Association
- Association for Advancement of Health Education
- Association for Information Technology Professionals
- Association of University Health Programs in Health Administration
- Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants, Inc.
- Center for Credentialing Nursing Education
- Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, the accrediting agency for The American Dietetic Association
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- Council for Interior Design Accreditation
- Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- Council on Social Work (baccalaureate level)
- Education Commission on Accreditation on Social Work
- Educational Standards Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- International Association of Counseling Services
- National Association of School Psychologists
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
- National Association of Schools of Dance
- National Association of Schools of Music
- National Association of Schools of Theatre
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- National League of Nursing
- Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant
- Society for Public Health Education
- Virginia Board of Nursing
- Virginia State Board of Education
Membership
- American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
- American Association of State Colleges and Universities
- American Council on Education
- Association of Advancement Services Professionals
- Association of American Colleges and Universities
- Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
- Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement
- Association of Virginia Colleges and Universities
- College and University Personnel Association
- College Communicators Association
- Council for Advancement and Support of Education
- Council of Graduate Schools in the United States
- Council of Southern Graduate Schools
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
- National Association of College and University Business Officers
- National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
- National Committee on Planned Giving
- Southeastern Universities Research Association
Institutional and Educational Membership
- Association of Computing Machinery
Corporate Membership
- American Association of University Women
VII.D.4. Emergency Procedures
In cases of emergencies, the campus or specific buildings may be closed. For information, please see the Comprehensive Safety Plan. See also Manual of Policies and Procedures, Policy 1309, University Closings, Class Cancellations and Exam Postponements Due to Inclement Weather or Emergencies.
VII.D.5. Academic Calendar
The university's academic calendar is available through the Web site at: Calendars.
