James Madison University

Academic Programs

JMU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges and contained 8 school that confer bachelor’s degrees, post-baccalaureate certificates, master’s degrees, post-masters certificates and doctorates. While not robust, JMU has an online program for nursing and general degree completion for undergrads and master’s programs available online also. The Mission statement is concise and direct: “We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.” The largest programs are in the Health (Community Health Services and Counseling in particular) and Business fields (evenly divided between Accounting, Management and Marketing majors). JMU has special accreditation for their Nutritional, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Speech/Language, Nursing, Art & Design, Dance, Music, Theater and Teacher Ed programs and has available Internships within Dietetic and Psychology areas. JMU’s slogan “Changing the world since 1908” is ambitious. But to the school, it’s not just a slogan it is an identity, an ambition and a challenge to meet.

Student Life

Life in one of the most picturesque regions of the county – not too far from busy nation’s capital (less than 150 miles) – can appear idyllic. Indeed, one of the school’s unofficial traditions is hiking up Reddish Knob (among the highest elevations in the region). The 21,000 students are aware of the school’s Vision “To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.” In addition to academics, JMU competes in 12 sports in NCAA Division 1-AA and provides several Intramural sporting opportunities as well (some may not consider a Battleship Tournament a true sport, it is on the schedule!). The mascot for the JMU Dukes is a bulldog regally adorned with purple and gold with crown and cape. Amid the activity and beautiful setting, JMU students are charged to live out the Core Values of Academic Quality, Community, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity and Student Focus which is aimed at meeting the aforementioned Mission to produce citizens with productive and meaningful lives.