Wilson Hall in spring

The Graduate School

It is the mission of The Graduate School to support, facilitate and promote excellence in lifelong education through graduate programs of distinction, innovative outreach programs, and a diverse student body.

Message from the Dean

Welcome to the The Graduate School of James Madison University!

This looks to be a very exciting year for graduate education at JMU. The School of Music's Doctor of Musical Arts degree program was approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia this September bringing the number of doctoral programs offered by JMU to five. Additionally, several new master's degree programs are currently under development in the College of Arts and Letters as well as another doctoral program with core and specialization curricula cutting across multiple academic colleges.

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News and Announcements

6-25-08- Information and registration is now available for the 2008 Graduate and Professional School Fair. Visit http://www.jmu.edu/grad/gradfair.

6-9-08- Scholarships, Grants, and Loans for women available from P.E.O. International.  Read more here.

6-9-08- Call for Programs: 20th Annual Tufts University English Graduate Conference. 

The Theme of the 2008 conference is "Marking the Event". For more information, contact Laurel Hankins or Nicole Flynn.  

5-29-08- Three JMU Graduate Programs ranked in "America's Best Graduate Schools".  Read more here.

4-17-08- The Spring issue of the Graduate School Gazette is now available.  Read it here.   

3-26-08- Information about JMU Summer Session is now available:  www.jmu.edu/summersession   



2-18-08- JMU's library offering Undisciplined Research workshops for faculty and graduate students.

The library will offer three workshops on "Undisciplined Research". Please visit http://www.lib.jmu.edu/faculty/undisciplinedresearch.aspx for information.



2-11-08- Six JMU Graduate Students attended the Third Annual Research Forum hosted by the Virginia Council of Graduate Schools.

Held annually at the Virginia State Library in order to be easily accessible to state legislators and state officials, the forum showcases the research by graduate students in Virginia colleges and universities and how this work contributes to the economic, social and civic development of the Commonwealth. Please visit www.jmu.edu/grad/VCGS_Research_Forum_2-08.html for photos and more information.

Important Dates

Fall  2008

August 20 - Orientation for New Graduate Students (Link)

August 21 - GA/TA Workshop (Link)

October 3 - Application for a Graduate Degree due to TGS

November 21  - Thesis or Dissertation due to TGS for fall graduation

December 12  - All coursework must be completed for fall graduation

December 13  - Fall Commencement 

(Are you on the list of students who have applied to graduate? Link here to find out!)


TGS offers Information Sessions about JMU graduate programs, admissions, and the application process every second Tuesday and Thursday of the month.  Check the calendar for dates and times.