Graduate Admissions and Application Information


Admission Requirements
Application Materials
Application Deadlines
Offer of Admission
Tuition and Fees

Admission requirements :

  • Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Satisfactory grade point average.
  • Satisfactory test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) in the case of Business Administration and Accounting.  GRE's are waived for current JMU undergraduate students enrolled in the 5th Year Education MAT program. GRE's are waived for all MA and MFA Studio Art applicants.

Individual graduate programs may have additional requirements for admission. Please contact the department for additional information. Your application will not be considered complete by the department until all required information is received.

The Graduate School (TGS) will not consider your application complete until all required credentials and supporting documents have been received at TGS. Once complete, the application is forwarded to the major department for review and decision. (Departments have up to 90 days to review an application and notify TGS.) You will be notified of your acceptance or rejection by letter from TGS.

If you are not seeking a graduate degree from JMU, you may apply for classes as a "Non-degree student" through Outreach & Engagement.

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Application Materials

Only the following materials should be submitted directly to TGS:

The Graduate School
James Madison University
MSC 6702, 17 W Grace St.
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

  • Official Graduate Application Form that includes the $55 (U.S.) nonrefundable application fee.
  • Official transcripts (in individually sealed envelopes from all previously attended institutions).
  • Official standardized test scores (GRE or GMAT).

(International Applicants are required to submit additional materials)

Additional program-specific documentation must be sent directly to the graduate program department.

Click here for International Student Admission Requirements

Click here to APPLY FOR A GRADUATE PROGRAM

If you have questions about application materials, such as test results or requirements or recommendation letters, please email grad_programs@jmu.edu.

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The Offer of Admission

The Graduate School will send a written offer of admission if you are accepted. This letter specifies the effective date of admission, the category of admission being offered, and the name of the faculty adviser assigned to you. The offer of admission is good for one year. Written acceptance or rejection of the offer should be submitted as soon as your decision on graduate study has been made.

Categories of Admission

You may be admitted under one of three classifications:

  • Unconditional - Admission without reservation. Indicates that you have a sound academic background in preparation for your program of study.
  • Conditional - Admission with reservations, such as deficiencies in undergraduate preparation, which you must correct. Once corrected, you may make written request directed through your advisor to the Dean of The Graduate School for a change of status to "unconditional."
  • Provisional - Admission under probationary status. You have not fully met the requirements for admission into your program. Your first priority must be to satisfy the conditions outlined in your acceptance letter. To change to "unconditional" status you must submit a written request to your major adviser, who will forward it to the Dean of TGS. You may only apply up to 9 hours of graduate credit to a degree program (with the recommendation of your major department head and approval of the Dean of TGS) while in this status.

Reapplication
If you do not enroll within one year of the semester for which you were accepted, you must begin the application process as if you had never previously applied. This includes payment of the $55 application fee.

Reactivation
If you have been accepted and taken courses previously, but have taken no classes during a two-year interval, you will be deactivated. Once deactivated, you must reapply  and pay the $55 application fee to continue your graduate studies. Transcripts of any course work taken elsewhere during that time will also be required.

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Tuition and Fees

The cost of tuition for graduate studies is based on your residency:

    2009-2010 Tuition Rates
  • Virginia - $305/per credit hour
  • Out of State - $890/per credit hour

(There is no discount for multiple courses taken per semester at the graduate level.)

Eligibility for the in-state (Virginia resident) tuition rate, as well as for certain types of financial aid, is based on the provisions of Section 23-7.4 of the Code of Virginia. The initial determination of your status is made by TGS. It is based upon the information contained on the Application for Virginia Instate Tuition Rates form that you submitted as part of your application to JMU.

Information on appeals and reclassification may be in the section entitled "Non-Virginia Residents" the Graduate Catalog.

Other Fees
Comprehensive information about fees and billing may be obtained from The University Business Office.

Payment
Payment for tuition and fees should be remitted to the Student Accounting/Cashiers Office located on the Warren Hall 3rd floor. You may pay by a combination of personal check, money order, cashier's check, Discover, or MasterCard. Payments drawn on foreign banks must be converted to US dollars prior to transmittal to JMU. The student's social security number should be included on all payments to ensure application to the correct account.

Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available to graduate students through Assistantships, as well as through loans and other programs offered through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

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Rolling Admission Application Deadlines

February 1 - for summer entry

May 1 - for fall entry

September 1 - for spring entry

Many programs have earlier deadlines for application.

Click here for PROGRAM SPECIFIC deadines



What are the steps to apply for admission to a JMU graduate program?

  1. Submit the online application and $55.00 (USD) application fee.
  2. Send official GRE/GMAT scores to JMU.
  3. Send official transcripts to The Graduate School.

I've submitted the required documents: What's next?

Once the documents listed above have been received, The Graduate School will forward your application file to the program for review.  You will receive an email letting you know that your file is complete.  Graduate programs have 60 days to make their admission decision.  You will be notified of the decision by letter. 

Who do I contact if I have questions?

If your application file is not yet complete or if you have not yet applied, contact The Graduate School:

Grad_programs@jmu.edu

If your application file is complete, contact the program to which you applied.