James Madison University
At the Learning Centers, we support students’ academic development and help them take their learning to the next level. Through individualized tutoring, coaching, study sessions, consultations, workshops, and online resources, we help students build confidence, develop skills, and flourish in their academic journey.
Located on the first floor of the Student Success Center, we offer over 27,000 visits each year through six dynamic programs staffed by more than 130 highly trained student employees and 16 dedicated faculty and staff. Here’s what we offer:
- Communication Center
We help students strengthen their public speaking, library research, small-group communication, and advocacy skills through individual and small-group tutoring, workshops, and online resources. Peer tutors assist with speech outlines, research, anxiety reduction strategies, audience-centered presentations, visual aids, and delivery techniques. We also provide support and resources for faculty!
- English Language Consultations
We support multilingual students in developing academic reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in a collaborative setting. Faculty and students can schedule in-person or online appointments to work on assignments from any discipline—including theses, dissertations, and publications.
- Peer Academic Coaching
Our newest program empowers students to build long-term academic habits through comprehensive, personalized guidance. Students work with a peer or faculty coach to set goals and create a plan tailored to their academic needs. Topics include study strategies, time management, motivation, and navigating JMU. Learn more or schedule an appointment on our coaching website.
- Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)
PASS offers student-led support for challenging courses, especially in science and math. Students work together in weekly out-of-class study sessions that are facilitated by trained peer leaders. These collaborative sessions are designed to help students master course content and develop strong study and learning skills. Visit our website for a current list of supported courses.
- Science and Math Learning Center (SMLC)
We provide drop-in tutoring and online resources for many first- and second-year courses in chemistry, math, philosophy, physics, and statistics. Our faculty and peer tutors foster a supportive learning environment that encourages independent thinking. The SMLC also features an educational computing lab. Check our website for supported courses.
- University Writing Center (UWC)
We partner with student and faculty writers to support all stages of the writing process. Our peer and faculty consultants work with any kind of writing, including course assignments, applications, digital projects, scholarly publications, fiction, and professional documents. We also support faculty through assignment design consultations, classroom workshops, and writing-related resources.
Students can make an appointment online or stop by for drop-in support. Looking for more information? Visit our website to explore our programs and online resources.