Important Policies to Know 

1.  30 credit policy

In accordance with university policy, if you are transferring 30 or more credit hours to JMU, then you must choose a major. You should have declared your major on your Admissions application. If you have fewer than 30 credit hours, and are undecided about your major, then you may be Undeclared. All students who declare a major will be advised by a faculty member from that department.

2.  Being undeclared

If you are undeclared, you will be advised by an academic advisor in Career and Academic Planning who will assist you in the process of choosing a major. For more information, click here and click on "Choosing a Major"

Bring ideas about your intended major along with your transfer credit evaluation to help your academic advisor make course recommendations to you so that you can register during Transfer Orientation. If you have received a JMU approved associate degree from a Virginia Community College, your JMU General Education requirements will be fulfilled and the courses you register for at Transfer Orientation will be courses that help you to progress through major, degree and/or pre-professional and minor requirements. To see which JMU approved associate degrees waive General Education, click here.

3. Portfolio and Audition Considerations

For students interested in Studio Art, Music or Theatre and Dance

You must submit a portfolio for review and be fully admitted into the Studio Art program before you can declare the major and take studio art courses. For more information on portfolio review dates on the JMU campus, go to the department website, select admissions, then click on admission requirements.

You must pass an audition for admission to the School of Music.

You must pass an audition to be admitted to the following concentrations in the Theatre and Dance major:

Dance concentration

Music Theatre concentration

4. Major Information

For information about each major, Click Here

Please note: Some majors at JMU require that you declare the major and/or that you be fully admitted to the program before you can take any courses in that major. Other majors require you to fulfill course pre-requisites and additional admission standards before you are fully admitted as a major. Please check with your advisor to learn more about the requirements for your specific major.

For information about pre-professional programs, Click Here

For information about teacher education programs, Click Here

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