James Madison University

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James Madison University (JMU) is an outstanding, very highly ranked major state university offering excellent value for money. The quality of the JMU experience has been recognized repeatedly in many national publications.

An average class size of 29 promotes the strong relationships found between JMU professors and students. JMU provides a total education to students - one that has a broad range of the liberal arts as its foundation, encompasses an extensive variety of professional and pre-professional programs, and offers a multitude of learning experiences outside the classroom. All this adds up to an education that offers students an opportunity to apply what they learn.

Undergraduate academic programs

Note: Entry to a bachelor's degree is through the Foundation Diploma only. This specialized pathway will save you money, and if you need to improve your English, fast-track your preparation.

JMU offers 69 innovative and traditional bachelor's degrees. All students, regardless of major, participate in a liberal arts core curriculum through which they develop a foundation for learning and explore the academic offerings open to them for their college careers. In addition, employers are consulted to identify the areas and skills they seek, and JMU faculty incorporate these skills into the curriculum.

Graduate academic programs

JMU offers over 30 Master's degree programs. Several of JMU's Graduate School programs are nationally recognized for their quality and innovation. Professional governing associations find that its programs consistently exceed accreditation standards. JMU graduate programs also feature low student-to-faculty ratios which encourage mentoring with prominent faculty.

Note: Entry to a master's degree is through the Pre-Master's program only. This specialized pathway for international students will improve your English and bridge gaps in academic learning.

Academically qualified students improve their English on the qualified Pre-Master's program and choose from any JMU master's degree listed on the right.

Students with a 3-year bachelor's degree or diploma can complete the qualifying Pre-Master's program and choose from four James Madison University master's degrees:

MS Integrated Science and Technology

• Designed for: students who intend to build their careers or who have already some experience in the fields of science, technology, management, consultancy, engineering, education, policy analysis in public or private organizations.
• Overview: the master's program integrates study of the sciences, technology and management to provide a broad-based professional education that stimulates intellectual excitement and imparts the knowledge, skills and flexibility needed for a successful career.
• Curriculum: a systems approach to problem-solving recognizes the interdisciplinary nature of most current problems confronting governments and businesses. Thesis or project study is in a strategic technology area such as biotechnology, energy, IT, manufacturing and the environment.

MS Computer Science (Digital Forensics)

• Overview: this master's degree combines core computer science concepts with an in-depth, technical study of digital forensics.
• Curriculum: highly system-oriented, with deep insights into how operating systems, networks, and computer programs function, and how those systems relate to forensics and security. Core courses include the forensic process and law, analysis techniques, report writing, digital evidence acquisition, in-depth file system analysis and data recovery, data carving, incident analysis and evidence correlation, memory forensics, network capture and analysis, small-scale device forensic acquisition and analysis.

MSEd Adult Education/Human Resource Development

• Designed for: students entering or advancing in positions associated with learning in education, business, industry, government, military, health care, and other public and private sector organizations.
• Overview: the master's program prepares professionals to lead, design, implement and evaluate learning programs within their organization, deliver effective instruction, design ways to improve human performance, facilitate change and enhance creativity.
• Curriculum: performance analysis and needs assessment, principles of instructional design, design and development of digital media. Concentrations can be in leadership and facilitation, instructional design, human resource management, program evaluation and measurement, public administration, counseling psychology, and secondary education.

MEd in Educational Technology

• Designed for: students wishing to build a career in education as well as current teachers, administrators and professionals in the field of staff development and training.
• Overview: the master's degree develops a broad and deep framework for identifying, implementing and assessing educational technology in the teaching and learning process. Students explore future trends in educational technology, and get extensive experience in designing, developing and assessing different educational technology applications.
• Curriculum: learning and curriculum theory; principles of instructional design; design and development of digital media; emerging technologies; current trends and research; issues of integrity and ethical behavior within the field. The program ends with a practicum experience in a school or workplace setting.

James Madison University Foundation Diploma and Pre-Master's prospectus ( PDF file, 1.5MB) Summary prospectus and pricing ( PDF file, 687kB)

Accommodation

On-campus: university residences
There are 35 residence halls on the JMU campus, and 26 are for first year students. Each hall includes laundry and vending facilities, TV lounges, recreation rooms, study areas, kitchens and storage.

All rooms are double occupancy meaning you share with another JMU student. Some residences have a traditional design of long corridors with rooms on either side and community baths located on each floor. Some halls are arranged in suites of three bedrooms that share a common lounge. Two suites share a community bath. All rooms have 2 single beds, 2 desks with chairs, 2 closets, 2 chests of drawers, telephone, TV cable hookup and internet access (wired). Students have high-speed access to e-mail, the internet and other network resources from their rooms.

Off campus: private student housing
Pre-Master's students, and undergraduate students who miss the on-campus housing deadlines (June 1 for Fall semester 2011), can choose from numerous off-campus housing options close to the JMU campus. Off-campus accommodation offers spacious and comfortable private rooms, independent living arrangements and often a variety of recreational facilities. You will be given lists of available off-campus accommodation and plenty of guidance on finding a place to live nearby.

Learn more about off-campus accommodation at JMU.

Meal plan (included in your fee if you live on campus)

• '14 plus Meal Plan': 14 meal punches per week and $250 in Dining Dollars per semester
• A punch can be used in several ways including gaining entrance to an "all-you-care-to-eat" location, for meals labeled "Duke Deal" and as $5 towards a purchase
• Dining Dollars can be spent at any of JMU's 20+ dining venues on campus
• James Madison University campus food was Number 5 for "great campus food" in America, by Princeton Review's Best Colleges guide 2012.
• vegetarian options always available and religious preferences accommodated

Campus facilities and activities

• International student services: dedicated advisors, special orientation; social programs, living-learning international community, International Week, International Student Leadership Conference, International Career Week
• Student clubs and organizations: 332 including Astronomy Club, Breakdance Club, Habitat for Humanity and Outdoor Adventure Club
• International student organizations: Muslim Student Association; African Student Organization; Asian Student Union; Black Student Alliance; Chinese Student Association; International Student Association; Korean Students Association; Latino Student Alliance; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Sigma Iota Alpha (Hermandad de); Vietnamese Student Association
• Sports: 18 intercollegiate athletics teams compete in College Athletics division 1
• Books in library: 700,000 volumes, including books, periodicals, and audiovisual materials, and over a million microform pieces
• Computers for student use: 500 with two labs open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Security services: 24-hour campus patrols, after-dark safety escorts, SafeRides program, 24-hour emergency telephones, Student Cadet program, lighted walkways, card-access to residence halls

Campus description

The JMU campus is set in the rolling Shenandoah Valley hills and includes more than 100 buildings. The University Recreation Center has a swimming pool, indoor track, weight rooms, cardio exercise equipment, basketball courts, and aerobics studios. Other athletic facilities include Performance Center, Bridgeforth Stadium and Sinclair Gymnasium.

The University's athletic teams use the name 'Dukes' in competition. James Madison University's two national championships ranks them tied for the third most national titles in Virginia. James Madison's baseball team advanced to the 1983 College World Series. The JMU women's field hockey gave the university their first national title in 1994. JMU American Football also won the NCAA Division I-AA national title in 2004 and appeared in the playoffs in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Campus entertainment venues include:

• Region: South USA
• Nearest large cities: Washington DC (2 hours), Richmond (2.5 hours)
• Airport transfer on initial arrival: Washington Dulles International (IAD) in Washington DC - 85 miles from campus
• Nearest airport: Shenandoah Valley Airport (SHD) in Weyers Cave (15 miles)
• Nearest train station: Staunton (25 miles)
• Nearest bus station: Charlottesville (50 miles)
• Public transport: serves campus

JMU is located in the heart of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia:

Harrisonburg
The University is in the center of Harrisonburg - a small progressive city of over 40,000 people. The town offers many amenities, such as shopping, restaurants, a 14-screen movie theater, numerous parks, and free public transportation for students. It was named a 5-star Quality of Life Metro by Expansion Management Magazine.

Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Valley is both a geographic valley and cultural region, spanning 200-miles of natural wonders, extraordinary history, and breathtaking scenery. The area has the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west.

Shenandoah National Park
The National Park has 500 miles of hiking trails, two visitor centers, historic sites, wildlife, ranger programs, horseback riding, fishing, and camping. National Scenic Byway, Skyline Drive, meanders for 105 miles with 75 overlooks along the crest of the mountains. The nearest entrance is a 30 minute drive from JMU.

Washington, D.C.
JMU is within a 2-hour drive of the national capital of the United States. The US federal government is located in the city, as are 174 foreign embassies, and the headquarters organizations such as the World Bank, the IMF, the Pan American Health Organization. Many of America's monuments and museums are in Washington, D.C. National treasures include the White House, the Washington National Cathedral, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the United States Capitol; and the National Archives.

James Madison University news

• Prices are for programs starting in January and May 2012
• US university fees are given in United States Dollars (USD). Canadian university fees are given in Canadian Dollars (CAD).
• Find out the price in your local currency using an online currency converter
• Prices are estimated and subject to change without notice

Pricing details

The prices listed above are a combined total, showing the amount you will need to pay for university tuition, university facilities and services, accommodation and meals*, insurance coverage and airport transfer.

• Prices for preparation programs are shown for the entire program. The duration of these programs varies depending on your English level on entry. 
• The undergraduate price shown is for the 2-semester Foundation Diploma (equivalent to the first year of your bachelor's degree). When you progress onto your degree program, fees are paid directly to the University.
• Graduate degree program prices are an indication of JMU's fees, * but do not include accommodation and meals. When you progress onto your degree program, fees are paid directly to the University.  

Price breakdown

Below is a breakdown of the degree preparation program costs for international students:

Tuition fees

* Students with an entry English level of TOEFL 36 iBT/3.5 IELTS are required to take EAP before their pathway program

Mandatory and university fees

† Comprehensive fee is charged to all JMU students for use of campus facilities throughout their study program.

Accommodation and meal fees

Supplementary and admission fees

More information and advice

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