Subject Area Scholars

Subject-area honors students are recruited in their first or second year at JMU. The Honors Program works with the Office of the Registrar and with faculty to identify future subject-area honors students from the academically qualified applicants who have completed one to three semesters at JMU. 

Letters are sent at the beginning of every semester to students on the Dean's or President's Lists inviting them to apply for admission to the Honors Program. Additional qualified students may be referred by a JMU faculty member or may self-refer. Interested candidates should contact the Honors Office for information and an application. There is no deadline to apply . 

The criteria for selection include:

                •        Grade point average (JMU) of at least 3.25

                •        Goals Statement - Please attach an essay of 200-300 words in which you discuss your educational and career goals and how being in the Honors Program at James Madison University may assist you in accomplishing those goals.  

Using the above criteria, application data, the essays are reviewed by the director and/or assistant director. Special consideration is given to the quality of writing in the personal statement. Occasionally, candidates may be invited to the Honors Office for a personal interview. Those applicants judged acceptable are sent letters informing them of their status as subject-area honors students. Spaces in this program are not limited.  All qualified applicants are admitted.  

Applications submitted and accepted in the first week of the semester allow the student to exercise the honors option in one or more classes that same semester and to enjoy priority registration for the following semester.  

Transfer Students
The Honors Program does admit students who have transferred to JMU. Those interested students should schedule an interview with the director. Candidates must complete a Subject Area Honors application and provide transcripts of previous college work. In judging the candidates' suitability, consideration is given to the type of institution (e.g., two-year, four-year, technical, etc.) from which the candidates transferred, previous participation in honors programs, the amount and type of honors work completed, the feasibility of completing the subject‑area program while remaining at JMU and the quality of the actual application to the JMU Honors Program. Any course substitutions or waivers based on previous honors work will require approval by the director.