Nicholas Swartz, Dean
Sarah MacDonald, Associate Dean
Email: swartznj@jmu.edu
Phone: (540) 568-4253
Location: Ice House, 127 W. Bruce Street, MSC 6906
School of Professional & Continuing Education Website
School of Professional & Continuing Education (SPCE), a unit within Academic Affairs, confers three degrees through the Adult Degree Program (B.A., B.S., B.I.S.) and partners with academic units across campus to facilitate a range of certificates, degrees and courses, youth programs, a lifelong learning institute for seniors, and professional development programs. SPCE's mission is to enrich learning across lifespans through transformative education and enrichment.
Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver
Legal residents of the State of Virginia who have reached 60 years of age before the beginning of an academic term and who have a taxable income that did not exceed $23,850 for the year proceeding the term may register for and enroll in courses as full-time or part-time students and pay no tuition but will incur a $20 application fee as well as fees established for the purpose of paying for course materials, such as laboratory fees. Senior citizens who have a taxable income higher than $23,850 may choose to register to audit courses under the same policy, subject to instructor and department approval. Senior citizens shall be subject to the admissions requirements of the institution and a determination by the institution of its ability to offer the course or courses for which the senior citizen registers. A senior citizen shall only be admitted to a course in which enrollment is sought after all tuition-paying students have been accommodated. A senior citizen tuition waiver form must be submitted to Professional & Continuing Education to determine eligibility according to section 23-38:54 of the Code of Virginia.
Forms can be found on the SPCE website.
Non-degree Seeking Student Admission
The non-degree seeking student classification includes adult non-degree students, high school non-degree students and teacher licensure students. Individuals seeking enrollment as a non-degree seeking student must complete the "Non-degree Seeking Student Application." Virginia residents must also complete the "Checklist and Application for Virginia In-state Tuition Rates." A non-refundable $20 application fee must accompany the application. Non-degree seeking students must submit the application and processing fee each year they wish to enroll in courses, and are discontinued at the end of each summer.
Non-degree seeking students can enroll and register for up to 11 hours of credit per semester. If additional credits are needed, students should contact SPCE. Course prerequisites may apply. Courses at the 500 or 600 level and above require approval by the appropriate department head. Non-degree seeking students can complete the non-degree student application and the in-state form by going to the SPCE website and clicking "Apply."
The courses taken in the non-degree seeking student category carry university credit, and they may be transferred into a degree program, once admitted, at the discretion of the program. JMU reserves the right to deny admission to non-degree seeking students; admission as a non-degree seeking student does not guarantee admission to a degree program at the university. If a student has been denied admission as an undergraduate student, they must wait one full year from the date of the denial to register as a non-degree seeking student.
Admission of Veterans
School of Professional & Continuing Education (SPCE) encourages veterans to apply for admission as full- or part-time students.
JMU does not determine eligibility for federal veterans' education benefits. Apply through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website will guide students through the process, and the VA will notify JMU of veterans' eligibility. The Registrar's Office processes the claims and other paperwork required so students receive payments on time.
For information regarding veterans' education benefits contact:
Veterans Coordinator
Office of the Registrar, MSC 3528
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
(540) 568-4769
www.jmu.edu/registrar/veterans
Adult Degree Program
Email: adp@jmu.edu
Phone: (540) 568- 4253
Location: Ice House, 127 W. Bruce Street, Room 332
Adult Degree Program Website
Mission
The Adult Degree Program delivers a flexible, dynamic and rigorous degree completion curriculum to meet the individual education and career goals of our students. ADP’s non-residential program offers a framework for students with significant transfer credit and/or prior learning experience to design their own academic plan.
Admission
To be eligible for the ADP, applicants must be at least 22 years of age, have at least 30 transferable college credits and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher for all prior coursework.
With very limited exceptions, students in the Individualized Study major (the ADP’s academic major) cannot transfer to another major at JMU.
Experiential Learning
The Adult Degree Program offers several pathways for students to participate in experiential learning opportunities. Students can choose to participate in workforce related experiences, intensive research or international programs.
Degrees Offered
Students in the ADP have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Individualized Study (B.I.S.) in individualized study, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in individualized study or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in individualized study. The university degree requirements differ by degree type.
