Our program has rolling admission - we process applications throughout the year and place students in the appropriate course based on their admission date and application condition. To guarantee on-time application processing for each semester, applicants should follow the guidelines below.

Application Process

Review our Application Checklist.

Please submit the following items online through JMU's Graduate School:

  • Graduate school application
  • Resume 
  • Personal statement: The personal statement focuses on the relevancy of the InfoSec program to the applicant's personal and professional goals.
  • Official transcripts from all attended universities.
    • Mail to: The Graduate School
      James Madison University
      MSC 6702, 100 E. Grace St.
      Harrisonburg, VA 22807 
  • $60 nonrefundable application fee
  • Optional, but recommended: Official general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores (last 5 yrs). Please see www.gre.org for more details.

International applicants may have additional requirements. For example, international students cannot obtain a student visa to come to the United States to study in an online program; however, because our program is available anywhere, there is no need to travel.  

You will receive a confirmation notice from the Graduate School after we have received all documents. Application reviews take approximately 3-4 weeks (slightly longer during the summer). You may check your status after 30 days. 

Selection Process

Selection to the program focuses on the "whole person concept," which emphasizes academic achievement, GRE scores, work experience, and courses and training while employed in industry or government. The InfoSec Program expects GRE rankings to be better than 50% in each area, but other qualifications can compensate for lower scores. 

Upon completion of the admission process, applicants may be conditionally or unconditionally accepted; terms of acceptance will be detailed in a formal letter of admission or rejection from the Graduate School. To register for courses and to obtain a JMU ID, admitted applicants must accept their admission.  

If admitted conditionally, the student must: 

  • Take the appropriate preparatory courses before taking any other course in the program. 
  • Make a grade of B or better in each of the required preparatory courses. Making less than a B in any of the preparatory courses causes the student's dismissal from the program. 

Unconditionally accepted students are not required to take preparatory courses. However, the four online preparatory courses provide a foundation for the master's program, and all students are encouraged to take the courses as refreshers. Students can further discuss the preparatory classes with their designated faculty advisor

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