Key facts about the Pre-Master's Program

Price

See fees page for cost of the Pre-Master's Program.

Course duration

This depends on your English Language level on entry - see study timeline for details. The Pre-Master's program can be studied over 1, 2 or 3 semesters.

  • 1 semester is 15 weeks
  • 2 semesters is 9 months from start to finish (a normal academic year)
  • 3 semesters is 12 months (ISC students take classes through the summer)

Course structure for Pre-Master's Program

You will be studying English language preparation courses alongside graduate study skills and academic credit courses. The amount of time spent on studying English will vary on your language proficiency and the duration of your Pre-Master's Program:

Duration of program

3-semester Pre-Master's
(language requirement - TOEFL 36 iBT)*
2-semester Pre-Master's
(language requirement - TOEFL 52 iBT)*
1-semester Pre-Master's
(language requirement - TOEFL 68 iBT)*

Hours of English and study skills

15 hours per week in semester 1
15 hours per week in semester 2
12 hours per week in semester 3
15 hours per week in semester 1
12 hours per week in semester 2
12 hours per week

Number of academic credit courses

none in semester 1
none in semester 2
two in semester 3
none in semester 1
two in semester 2
two
* An official TOEFL or IELTS score is not required. You may take the Study Group English Language Test to determine your level.

Entry points

Every January, May and August

Entry requirements

You must have a undergraduate degree from an accredited university that is the equivalent of a US 4-year bachelor's degree. You qualify to join the Pre-Master's Program with a GPA of 3.0 and a minimum English level equivalent to TOEFL iBT 36.

See admissions section for detailed academic and English Language entrance requirements.

Academic credit

Pre-Master's students have the opportunity to study up to two credit-bearing master's level courses - a maximum of 6 credits with the Graduate School.

Progression requirements

Progression from the Pre-Master's Program to a master's degree at James Madison University requires success in the preparation program as follows:

  • complete check points throughout the coursework
  • achieve the equivalent English language level of TOEFL 570 PBT/88 iBT
  • meet GRE score requirements of your chosen master's degree

Choice of master's degrees on completion

Five challenging and innovative Master's degrees at James Madison University are available to students who successfully complete the Pre-Master's Program:


Note that the program does not prepare international students for other master's degrees at James Madison University. Students who meet all entry requirements can apply directly to the JMU Graduate School.


Next steps