Contact the university using the inquiry formGet the international student application form now

Fast-track your path to an undergraduate degree

The International First Year taught at the on-campus International Study Center is your best route to all of these undergraduate degrees at an outstanding public university in the USA.

Join the second year of your chosen degree program after as little as two semesters of English language, academic preparation and specialized credit-bearing courses.

Popular bachelor's degree programs with international students

On successful completion of the International First Year, you will progress to the second year of a bachelor's degree at James Madison University. Popular programs for international students include:

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at JMU

"We do it differently here. We are recognized nationally for our undergraduate research opportunities. We are all about innovative, hands-on learning that prepares our students to be catalysts for real change in their communities and around the world. Science is changing more rapidly than ever. At James Madison University, we care about giving our students what they need to stay ahead and succeed."

Biology
The biology program follows a curriculum that provides breadth for the renaissance biologist and depth in a wide range of subject areas for the specialist. This degree has an excellent academic reputation, which really makes a difference to medical schools, graduate schools, and future employers. Biotechnology
A research concentration within this program prepares you for graduate school or entry into a research laboratory. An industry concentration prepares you for entry into the biotechnology industry. The program also offers a custom concentration that can be assembled for a specialized area of study such as bioinformatics, genomics or agricultural biotechnology. Chemistry
The chemistry degrees at James Madison University include chemistry, biochemistry, materials chemistry and chemical education. Each degree curriculum is certified by the American Chemistry Society. Computer Science
Students in this program study technological advances such as object-oriented software, communication networks, multimedia systems, information security and artificial intelligence. The program focuses on computing technologies used by today's professionals and how to use these technologies to solve real-world problems. Engineering
The engineering major offers a single, interdisciplinary engineering degree. The curriculum focuses on sustainability, engineering design, and integrated systems analysis. Graduates will improve the sustainability of our world by analyzing problems and designing solutions in the context of technical, economic, environmental, and social impacts. Physics
Graduates from the Physics degree will be prepared for highly technical post-baccalaureate employment in applied physics, engineering physics, and other scientific areas. Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT)
ISAT students analyze and solve real-world, human problems by integrating scientific, technological, business and social aspects of these problems and then communicate innovative solutions to a diverse audience.

Humanities and Social Sciences at JMU

"Our humanities and social sciences programs launch students on a constant search for knowledge and the keys to understanding the human condition. Study of fundamental questions such as these is much more than simply a worthy academic pursuit. Study of these questions changes the way you view the world and, more profoundly, the way you see yourself. The combination of skills and knowledge our students acquire leads to jobs and post-graduate educational choices."

History
History students gain historical knowledge and understanding of many societies and cultures; improve their research, writing and computing skills; become independent, creative, and self-directed learners; and work with a superior and dedicated faculty. International Affairs
The major in international affairs provides an interdisciplinary understanding of foreign cultures and societies, the dynamics of world politics, and other nations' world views and their consequent actions. Political Science
The Department of Political Science offers strong major and minor programs sharing a focus on public concerns. You are provided with the tools and competence to succeed in your graduate education and your career. Politics degrees instill academic rigor, information access and research skills, dedication to life-long learning and respect for diversity in cultures, nations and institutions of democracy. Psychology
Psychology is the major to consider if you want to study the area of science that explores how people and animals think, feel, and act. Psychology majors complete coursework on behavior, emotions, and cognitive processes, and the factors that influence them, from a variety of perspectives. Public Policy and Administration
The major in Public Policy and Administration provides a general foundation in the nature of the public workplace and its political and legal environments. This major prepares you for professional employment and leadership in government and non-profit organizations. You receive specialized training in management and management-related skills. Sociology
The sociology program develops your understanding of the theories that explain, interpret and critique patterns of social relations. Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication
The School of Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication allows you to specialize in a field while becoming marketable to employers. In this program, faculty teach how to create, design, edit, analyze, and produce texts, all with the goal of training effective communicators.

Communications at JMU

"Our communications programs touch nearly every corner of this broad, fast-paced academic arena - from print journalism and corporate communication to computer software and digital video. We present our curriculum with a firm grasp of what goes on in the real world because we understand something with great clarity - knowledge and skills are so much more valuable to our students when they can be applied again and again. That's part of the reason our graduates consistently find themselves so employable."

Communication Studies

The School of Communication Studies offers seven concentrations including: Conflict Analysis and Intervention; Cultural Communication; Health Communication; Interpersonal Communication; and:

Organizational Communication
Organizational communication involves the study of the ways people interact within organizations, such as business, government, education and non-profit groups. The focus of this program is internal and external communication of organizations.

Public Communication
The study of public communication is concerned with the presentation and management of messages in public contexts. Analysis, preparation and criticism of public messages prepares you for participation in public life.

Public Relations
This program of study focuses on the management of communication between organizations and their internal and external publics with the goal of mutual understanding and influence. Public relations practitioners work with specific publics relative to focused goals.

Media Arts and Design

The school of Media Arts and Design offers four major program concentrations:

Converged Media
This concentration serves students interested in digital convergence – the delivery of content via multiple media formats such as text, images, audio, video and interactive websites.

Corporate Communication
This professionally oriented program provides students with the principles and skills needed to develop, manage, and practice strategic, media-based communication within organizations.

Digital Video and Cinema
This program helps students develop practical skills in the converging media of high definition television and film, while instilling a critical understanding of how those media are used to tell stories, convey information and persuade audiences.

Journalism
This program enables students to develop reporting, writing, editing and production skills needed to work in magazines, newspapers, video/broadcast and new media journalism through course work, internships and other practical experiences.