Transferring from Outside Virginia

What we're looking for

If you have taken any college coursework after graduating from high school, you are considered a transfer applicant in our process. The more college coursework you have completed, the less we consider your high school record in our review. For students who were not competitive for admission to JMU directly from high school, we recommend that they complete or be in the process of completing at least 24 credit hours post-high school graduation at the time they apply.

In our review process, JMU considers a transfer applicant’s college courses, college grade point average, high school courses, and high school grades. To be considered a competitive applicant, students should have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and successfully completed college course work in these core subject areas: English, mathematics, social science and lab science. 

If you have a question about the process, reach out to your regional recruiter for guidance.

Please note, admission to JMU does not necessarily guarantee admission into your intended major. For information on majors that have additional requirements, please view our Admission and Progression Standards.

Transfer applicants are admitted for spring, summer and fall semesters.

Spring semester is the most competitive and limited to approximately 100 students. We know changing from one college to another is a big deal and our Orientation Program has special transfer student programming in place to ease the transition.

The Guaranteed Admission Agreement

JMU has guaranteed admissions agreements with Mercer County Community College in New Jersey and exploring additional agreements with other community colleges. Under the GAA, admission to JMU is guaranteed to a student who completes an appropriate associate degree, has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and meets additional requirements as outlined in the individual agreements. Admission to JMU is guaranteed, though certain majors may have additional admissions requirements.

Review our GAAs

Obtaining Transfer Credit

The Office of the Registrar will complete an evaluation of credit after an offer of admission has been made. Each course taken at another institution will be evaluated individually, and credit will be allowed only for equivalent college courses offered at JMU in which a grade of "C" or better has been earned. A "C-" will not transfer. You can get a preliminary review of how your credits will transfer by reviewing the Transfer Equivalency Guide through Transferology. You can input your classes into this system to see how they will transfer to JMU. You should also review the courses that will usually count toward JMU's General Education requirements.

Graduation Requirements

JMU requires a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. If you are offered admission to JMU, you must complete all prerequisite, major, program and degree requirements to graduate and you must meet the following requirements:

• Have earned a minimum of 25% of credit hours (30 credits for degrees programs of 120 credits) at JMU
• Have earned at least 50% of credit hours (60 credits for degrees programs of 120 credits) accepted by JMU from accredited senior (four-year) institutions of higher education, including JMU
• Meet course prerequisites for the major regardless of where general education requirements were completed
• Must be attending JMU during the semester in which degree requirements are completed

There is no limit to the number of hours that may transfer to JMU.

More Topics:

• How to apply - transfer application process
• Financial aid and scholarships for transfer students
• Some programs have special admissions requirements or progression standards
• Transfer Advising - helpful tips on planning coursework at your current institution, a list of resources for transfer students and more