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James Madison University

Apply for first-year
James Madison University campus
Founded in 1908, James Madison University is a public university located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. JMU is fast becoming one of the nation’s leading lights in higher education because students enjoy unusually engaged relationships with world-class faculty who are here because they want to pursue knowledge and make teaching their No. 1 priority.
Accepts first-year applicationsSouthPublicSuburbanLarge (15,000+)Co-Ed
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Academic programs

  • Design
  • Engineering
  • Research
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Liberal Arts
  • Business
  • Education
  • Nursing
  • Communication
  • Music
  • Art & Design
  • Economics
  • Finance/Accounting
  • Government/Political Science
  • Health Science
  • Performing Arts
  • Social Science
  • Visual Arts

Student experience

  • Athletics
  • Disability Services
  • Greek Life
  • Intramural/Club Sports
  • Military/Veteran Services
  • On-Campus Housing
  • ROTC Program
  • Study Abroad
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Veteran Fee Waiver

Application information

First-year

Completing your application is easy!

STEP 1: Submit your application ($70 fee).

Step 2: Submit an official high school transcript, including any dual-enrollment courses you may be taking.

For transcripts to be considered official, they must be sent through the Common App, or another secure provider such as Naviance/Parchment, e-Scrip Safe, etc., or by mail from your school.

If sending by mail, please use the following address:

James Madison University
Office of Admissions – MSC 0101
100 E Grace Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Please note, JMU will not accept recommendation letters that arrive via Parchment, postal mail, etc.

Transfer

To apply for transfer admission, you should have completed at least 24 credit hours post high-school graduation before you would start classes at JMU. If you’ll have completed less than 24 credit hours, please contact your regional recruiter. Priority is given to applicants with associate degrees, or at least 48 college credits. Competitive transfer applicants have at least a 3.0 GPA and have completed college course work in English, mathematics, social science and lab science. 

For more information, please see the Transfer Applicants section of our website.

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Additional information

For information about costs, and financial support for attending JMU, please visit our Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Visit us

Our home is in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, a region known for the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park, the Shenandoah River, rolling farmland and breathtaking views. Only two hours from Washington, D.C., JMU's 675-acre campus is convenient to ski slopes and fishing, as well as coffee shops and live music.

For more information about visiting our beautiful campus, please click here.

JMU graduates are far more than merely educated. Members of a fellowship of doers, they know how to make things happen. They’ve honed their ability to think critically. They’ve learned the importance of a strong work ethic and have become committed to and skilled at collaborating with others. Diplomas in hand, they leave campus determined to live lives of meaning and pursue careers of purpose.