General Education is the core academic program of JMU. It is the university’s essential liberal arts education, and is required of all students, regardless of their major or professional program.
"A JMU education is marked by the distinctive set of skills and knowledge that all graduates develop during their undergraduate career," said President Jim Schmidt. "Our students acquire the balance of a liberal arts education, and the experience of undergraduate research and power skill development..." JMU Strategic Plan, Pillar 1 - Enhance Purpose, Value, and Impact of a JMU Education.
Current Requirements through Spring 2028
General Education is organized into five areas of study. In order to graduate, each student must complete fourteen requirements across all five areas, which typically comprise one-third of a student’s coursework (about 41 credit hours).
