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Dates & Deadlines

Dropping a class after the drop deadline will result in a 'W' on the transcript and applicable tuition charges.

August 2, 2013
GR/DR Second 6-Week, 8-Week and 12-Week sessions end.
End of graduate/doctoral summer sessions.

August 19, 2013
Open enrollment begins for Outreach students.

August 26, 2013
Fall 2013 semester begins.

September 2, 2013
Classes meet as scheduled.
JMU open.

September 3, 2013
Last day to add/drop a semester or 8W1 session class.

September 12, 2013
Last day to do a late add with department permission for a semester or 8W1 session class.

September 13, 2013
Last day to withdraw from the University with cancellation of tuition charges.  NOTE:  Student must withdraw from all classes via the Non-Returning/Leave of Absence Notice to be eligible.

September 24, 2013
Last day to withdraw from an 8W1 session class.

Dropping a class after the drop deadline will result in a 'W' on the transcript and applicable tuition charges.

Are you ready to Graduate?

If you are completing requirements in:

Applications are due in departmental offices:

December

April 15

May

October 15

August

February 15

To be considered for graduation, undergraduates must:

  • earn at least 120 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better
  • earn at least 50% of the required total semester hours from a four-year institution
  • earn at least 25% of the required total semester hours at JMU
  • satisfy general education requirements
  • satisfy course requirements for the specific degree (BA, BBA, BFA, BIS, BM, BS, BSN, BSW)
  • satisfy course requirements for the major program with a 2.0 GPA or better

Graduation Check List

  1. Complete an Application for a Bachelor's Degree. Be sure to write in the anticipated date (month and year) you plan to complete requirements.  List the courses/requirements you are currently completing as well as the courses/requirements you intend to complete during your final semester. (IMPORTANT: If you plan to participate in the May ceremony but will be registering for your final hours in the subsequent summer term, you must indicate August as your anticipated graduation date or you will not be able to register for summer classes.)
  2. Attach a copy of your academic requirements report or an unofficial transcript printed from MyMadison to the application and present the application to your major advisor by the application deadline.
  3. Watch your JMU email account for the Senior Evaluation from the registrar’s office. All questions and issues on the evaluation must be resolved before you will be able to graduate.
  4. Check with the Campus Bookstore about ordering graduation announcements, caps, and gowns.
  5. Satisfactorily complete all remaining required course work.

How do I know if I’m eligible for graduation honors?

To be considered for graduation honors, you need at least four regular semesters at JMU, 60 earned credit hours at JMU, and a minimum grade point average of 3.50 at JMU. If you meet these criteria, then grades from all college work (including work taken at other institutions) will be combined with your JMU course work to determine the graduation grade point average and honors category. Graduation honors will be noted in the commencement program and will be based on the grade point average at the end of the semester preceding the semester in which final graduation requirements are met. For students who participate in the May ceremony but complete requirements in summer session, the honors noted in the commencement program will be based on the grade point average earned at the end of the preceding fall semester. Final graduation honors recorded on the diploma and transcript will be determined by the grade point average at the end of the semester in which all graduation requirements are met. (See Graduation with Honors, Undergraduate Catalog).

Honors Grade Point Average
Cum laude 3.5 - 3.699
Magna cum laude 3.7 - 3.899
Summa cum laude 3.9 and above

How will I know everything is ok with my degree application?

When the Office of the Registrar receives your application from your major department office your name will be posted at the following website: http://www.jmu.edu/registrar/ForStudents.shtml (click on the appropriate month beneath “List of Undergraduate graduation applications received”). After we have evaluated the application, you will receive a personalized Senior Evaluation from the registrar's office in your JMU email account noting any deficiencies. All questions/issues on the evaluation must be resolved before your name will be placed in the commencement program. Approximately one month before your graduation day, you will receive an announcement letter in your JMU email account with information about the ceremony and various commencement activities.

Can I walk in the May or December graduation ceremony if I will complete requirements at a later date?

All graduation requirements must be met in the semester for which you have applied to graduate. Students may not participate in the December commencement if their requirements will be met in the coming spring semester, nor may students who will complete their requirements in the coming fall semester participate in the previous May commencement. Students are permitted to participate in the May ceremony if all requirements for graduation will be completed during the subsequent summer session, but the diploma will not be awarded until the end of the summer term and will be given an August confer date.