General Transfer Planning Guide (GAA) for Exploring Majors

Catalog Year 2024-2027

Based on Associate of Arts/Associate of Science

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission to JMU

• Students must complete an approved transferable associate degree from their Virginia community college with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for guaranteed admission to JMU. Students who do not qualify for guaranteed admission are encouraged to apply to JMU through the regular admission process. For additional details about requirements for guaranteed admission, please see the JMU letter of intent for your community college: www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer-gaa.shtml.

• Transfer students can declare most majors that are offered at JMU. The only majors that aren't open to all students are the talent-based fine arts programs that require an audition or portfolio review. It is important to know that in some majors, you may have to apply for full admission to the program later or meet progression standards to continue in the major. JMU's Admission and Progression Standards webpage will help you understand how to choose and progress in any major that may interest you.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: www.jmu.edu/transfer

• Register Intent to Transfer: Students can notify JMU of their interest in transferring through College Connect at www.TransferVirginia.org. Transfer applicants from a VCCS institution intending to apply through the Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA) must submit a Letter of Intent prior to applying. Requirements and forms are available at: www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer-GAA.shtml

• Admission Application: By March 1 for Fall or October 15 for Spring at www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/apply-online.shtml

• Financial Aid: www.jmu.edu/financialaid

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Deadline is March 1. Learn more at studentaid.gov.

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• JMU majors that require Calculus I: Chemistry and Biophysical Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Quantitative Finance, Statistics. You can fulfill this requirement by taking MTH 263 or higher at VCCS. MTH 161+162 or MTH 167 are prerequisites.

• JMU majors that require Calculus I AND Statistics: Biotechnology, Computer Science, Geology, Information Technology, and Secondary Education for anyone who wants to teach high school math or science. MTH 263 or higher and MTH 155 or 245 fulfill this requirement.

• JMU majors that require Introductory Calculus I AND Statistics: All College of Business degrees (except Quantitative Finance), Earth Science, and Kinesiology. You can fulfill this requirement by taking MTH 261 or higher at VCCS. MTH 161 is a prerequisite.

• JMU majors that require Statistics: Biology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Communication Studies, Dietetics, Health Sciences, Justice Studies, Nursing, Psychology, and Social Work. You can fulfill this requirement by taking MTH 155 or 245 at VCCS.

• Other JMU majors are flexible about what math course you choose. MTH 154, 155, 245, 261, 263 or higher are recommended for meeting this requirement.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, and complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center www.TransferVirginia.org.

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and a JMU Next Transfer Advisor within your first year.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: An approved transferable associate degree from a Virginia Community College will waive general education requirements at JMU. The list of approved transferable associate degrees can be found at www.jmu.edu/transfer/vccs-transfer/asdegrees.shtml.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: Students who complete a transferable associate degree from a Virginia Community College through Dual Enrollment (DE) will not be eligible for guaranteed admission but will receive the general education waiver at JMU.

• Credit for Prior Learning: Credit for prior learning may be awarded differently at JMU than at your previous institution. JMU accepts and reviews AP, IB CIE, and CLEP examinations for all students with eligible scores. JMU will complete an independent review of the test score to apply credit to your JMU student record.

• Catalog Year: Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at JMU.

Is This College Right For Me?

• JMU is a mid to large size institution that behaves more like a smaller institution. Faculty and staff hold students as the top priority. JMU has a 96% satisfaction rate. 88% of classes have fewer than 50 students. JMU is the #1 most recommended public university in the US by the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education; JMU is the #1 Best College for Employment in Virginia according to U.S. Department of Education statistics compiled by Zippia. JMU has the highest post-graduation job levels of all Virginia colleges. Learn more about our college at www.jmu.edu and www.TransferVirginia.org.

Did You Know That…

• There is no limit to the number of credits you can transfer to JMU, but at least 50% of the credits required for graduation in your major must be taken at a 4-year college or university, and at least 25% must be taken at JMU. (Most JMU majors require 120 credits, so 60 must come from a 4-year and 30 must be taken at JMU.)

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree.

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at JMU.

• Students who may be eligible for Virginia's Two-Year College Transfer Grant should transfer in the fall or spring immediately following the completion of their associate degree. Learn more about the state transfer grant here: https://www.schev.edu/financial-aid/financial-aid/federal-state-financia...

What Resources Are Available To Help Me Select A Major?

• If you are still exploring possible majors, we encourage you to use the JMU majors webpage to learn more. Another great resource is the Career Guide to JMU Majors. A more general resource is the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which you can use to learn more about pathways to specific occupations that may interest you.

• If you have fewer than 30 credits and aren't sure what you want to study, you will have the option to declare the Exploratory major. If you transfer to JMU with 30 or more credits, we will ask you to declare a specific major as you arrive. If you aren't sure what to choose, you will have an opportunity during your Orientation process to meet with an exploratory advisor to help you clarify your goals and plans.

• If you'd like to have a conversation now with someone who is an expert on majors at JMU, make an appointment with a JMU Next Transfer Advisor.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• Generally, two-thirds of transfer applicants are admitted to JMU. Competitive applicants will have mostly As & Bs and have completed at least one class in each of our four core areas (English, mathematics, lab science, and social science).

• JMU defines a transfer student as a student that has graduated from high school (or holds a GED equivalency) AND has taken courses in college after high school graduation.

• Learn more about applying at https://www.jmu.edu/transfer/ or www.TransferVirginia.org.