Mar 18, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

University and Post-Graduate Resources



The Graduate School


Dr. John Burgess, Interim Dean
Dr. Michael Stoloff, Associate Dean
Phone: (540) 568-6131
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/grad
Location: Madison Hall, Fourth Floor, MSC 6702

The Graduate School coordinates graduate and post-graduate education throughout the university. The JMU Graduate School was established in 1954 when the State Board of Education authorized the university to offer programs leading to the Master of Science in Education degree. There have been over 18,000 graduate degrees awarded through 2016, and enrollment growth and ongoing development of graduate programs of distinction are key strategic initiatives of the university.

It is the mission of The Graduate School to support, facilitate and promote excellence in lifelong education through graduate programs of distinction, innovative outreach programs and a diverse student body.

The Graduate School at James Madison University is a leading institution for graduate study that is recognized for innovative advanced degree programs, distinguished faculty, collaborative student-centered research and applied learning. The Graduate School is responsible for administering over 52 different graduate programs offering master and doctoral degrees across seven academic colleges. Currently, more than 1,850 students from all areas of the world are enrolled and pursuing post-baccalaureate studies through JMU.

The Graduate School is authorized to offer graduate programs leading to master’s, Educational Specialist, Doctor of Audiology, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Psychology, Doctor of Musical Arts and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. Many graduate programs also offer concentration areas. Refer to the Graduate Catalog or the graduate school website for details.

The Graduate School offers the following programs and degrees:

  • Accounting (M.S.)
  • Adult Education/Human Resource Development (M.S.Ed.)
  • Art Education (M.A.)
  • Assessment and Measurement (Ph.D., MA/Ph. D.)
  • Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.)
  • Biology (M.S.)
  • Business Administration (M.B.A.)
  • Business Administration – (Northern Virginia) (M.B.A.)
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A./Ed.S.)
  • College Student Personnel Administration (M.Ed.)
  • Combined – Integrated Clinical and School Psychology (Psy.D.)
  • Communication and Advocacy (M.A.)
  • Communication Sciences and Disorders (Clinical Audiology) (Au.D.)
  • Communication Sciences and Disorders (Ph.D.)
  • Computer Science (M.S.)
  • Counseling and Supervision (Ph.D.)
  • Education – Fifth year format (M.A.T.)
  • Education (M.A.T.; M.Ed.)
  • Education, Special – Fifth year format (M.A.T.)
  • Education, Special (M.A.T.; M.Ed.)
  • English (M.A.)
  • Health Sciences (M.S.)
  • History (M.A.)
  • Kinesiology – Fifth year format (M.A.T.)
  • Kinesiology (M.S.)
  • Mathematics (M.Ed.)
  • Music (M.M.)
  • Nursing (M.S.N.; D.N.P.)
  • Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.)
  • Performance/Conducting, Pedagogy, Literature (D.M.A.)
  • Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.)
  • Political Science – European Union Policy Studies (M.A.)
  • Psychological Sciences (M.A.)
  • Public Administration – Fifth year format (M.P.A.)
  • Public Administration (M.P.A.)
  • School Counseling (M.Ed.)
  • School Psychology (M.A./Ed.S.)
  • Speech Pathology (Clinical) (M.S.)
  • Speech Pathology (Online) (M.S.)
  • Sport and Recreation Leadership (M.S.)
  • Strategic Leadership (Ph.D.)
  • Studio Art (M.A.; M.F.A.)
  • Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication (M.A.)

Outreach & Engagement

Dr. Melissa Lubin, Dean
Dr. Nick Swartz, Associate Dean
Ms. Carol Fleming, Assistant Dean          
Ms. Sarah MacDonald, Assistant Dean

Phone: (540) 568-4253                                                               
Location: Ice House, 127 W. Bruce Street, MSC 6906
Websitehttp://www.jmu.edu/outreach

Outreach & Engagement (O&E) is part of University Programs, a division of Academic Affairs. O&E offers credit and non-credit programs as well as targeted one-time courses, certificate programs and complete degree programs at a distance. O&E seeks to provide access to anyone seeking opportunities for educational or personal growth. O&E works with faculty, academic units, students and community organizations to design, market and deliver a wide array of programs. O&E also oversees the enrollment of non-degree seeking students, who are individuals who enroll in credit courses, but are not seeking a degree.

Certificate Program Admission

Individuals who wish to pursue a certificate must apply to the program and be approved before registering for classes. Individuals must complete the Certificate Application available at http://www.jmu.edu/outreach. Virginia residents must also complete the “Checklist and Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates.” A non-refundable $45 application fee must accompany the application. Although certificate program students are considered non-degree seeking students, applicants for certificate programs need only complete the Certificate Application once for the semester in which they wish to begin the program. Students must take at least one course in their certificate program in every twelve-month period, or they will be deactivated from the program and will need to reapply if they wish to continue. (Specific certificate programs may have different enrollment requirements.) Applications for certificate programs are forwarded to the appropriate academic unit for review. A list of available certificate programs can be found at the O&E website under “Certificate Programs” at http://www.jmu.edu/outreach.

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 semester they enroll in courses.

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 O&E. 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 http://www.jmu.edu/outreach and clicking “Apply.”

Students should register online during the dates identified for non-degree seeking students following the instructions at http://www.jmu.edu/registrar and clicking “For Students” then “Registration Dates and Deadlines.” Walk-in registration and course adjustments are permitted for non-degree seeking students; contact the Registrar’s Office.

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.

Non-credit Courses and Certificates

O&E offers a wide variety of non-credit courses for workforce and professional development. These programs are available for supplementing and updating knowledge, skills and abilities. Some non-credit courses and workshops award continuing education units (CEUs) as a uniform measure of professional development and to signify the student has completed the course or workshop.

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 Outreach & Engagement to determine eligibility according to section 23-38:54 of the Code of Virginia.

Forms can be found on the O&E website.