Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Geology or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Earth Science

Catalog Year 2025-2028

Based on VCCS Curriculum for Geology

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• 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.

• Have you discovered a love of geology or environmental science later in your VCCS studies and don't have time to finish the course recommendations listed above? That's ok! Try to complete GOL 105 or 110 and some science cognates (chemistry and/or physics) and Calculus I or Statistics before transfer, if possible.

Important Links & Dates

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

• Register Intent to Transfer: Transfer applicants from a VCCS institution intending to apply through the Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA) must review requirements and submit a Letter of Intent prior to applying: 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?

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

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and schedule an appointment with a JMU Next transfer advisor in your first semester or first year.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• Geology: This degree is ideal for students with interests in climate science, environmental and engineering geology, and solid Earth processes like volcanoes, earthquakes, and plate tectonics. The Geology degree includes specialized upper-level courses involving modern analytical equipment, data analysis and visualization, and field experiences. Each student completes a research project on a topic of interest, mentored by one or more faculty members. Research opportunities include paid summer research programs outside JMU and potential internships at government agencies and private companies. The Geology degree has a 4-6 credit hour summer field capstone course requirement generally taken between the 3rd and 4th year.

• Earth Science: This degree is ideal for students with interests in environmental and climate science including meteorology and ocean sciences, public policy and outreach, and high school teaching. This degree includes flexible general elective credits which can be used towards fulfilling a minor or second major in a related topic of interest. Each student completes a research project on a topic of interest, mentored by one or more faculty members.

• Minors in Climate Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Environmental Humanities, Environmental Management, and Environmental Information Systems: A minor can be earned in addition to one of the degrees above and may help transfer students fulfill the JMU credit hour requirement. See https://www.jmu.edu/environment/index.shtml for descriptions of these minors.

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. DE associate degree earners who want to make progress toward their intended major should follow the curriculum in this guide.

• 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. Other credit for prior learning is awarded on a per case basis for the ADP and RN-BSN programs in consultation with the department of expertise. Credit for learning acquired in military service is awarded by the registrar's office using the ACE guide credit recommendation for study/experience listed on the military transcript and in consultation with the department of expertise.

• 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 Can I Do With This Degree?

• The Geology or the Earth Science major can prepare you for a range of different career opportunities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers great resources for learning about careers in geology and environmental sciences. Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Program Successes & Highlights

• The Department of Geology and Environmental Science has an excellent collection of modern analytical equipment for laboratory and field work and is known as a premier undergraduate geosciences program with nationally recognized faculty in a range of research subdisciplines.

• Geology: JMU Geology students are highly sought after for field and analytical skills, as well as research and teaching experience provided through our program. Students graduating from JMU with a B.S. in Geology either enter graduate school or immediately find employment in environmental and engineering consulting firms, the energy industry, or public outreach and teaching positions. Students admitted to graduate programs in the geosciences typically have tuition fully waived and are also provided a stipend for being a research or teaching assistant.

• Earth Science: Students graduating from JMU with a B.A. in Earth Science can enter a wide range of careers or graduate programs according to their interests. These have included environmental law, environmental public policy and outreach, and high school and middle school teaching.

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.

Do More With Your Degree!

• Geology: Students choose one of three concentration options for upper-level electives to focus their interests. These are: 1) Life, Ocean, and Climate Science, 2) Environmental and Engineering Geology, and 3) Solid Earth and Tectonics. Students may also choose to minor in related disciplines including astronomy, data analytics, mathematics, environmental science, and anthropology. Undergraduate students have opportunities to serve as paid course assistants and to participate in spring break and summer field programs. As part of the required research experience, students may choose to present their findings at regional or national meetings, gaining further experience and connections that place them at an advantage for admission into graduate programs and employment.

• Earth Science: Undergraduate students have opportunities to serve as paid course assistants and/or participate in spring break and summer field programs. This degree includes flexible general elective credits which can be used towards fulfilling a minor or second major in a related topic of interest. Some students elect this degree together with an Education minor for preparation to be middle or high school Environmental and Earth Science teachers. As part of the required research experience, students may choose to present their findings at regional or national meetings, gaining further experience and connections that place them at an advantage for admission into graduate programs and employment.

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• GEOL 399, the field course for the BS in Geology, is a summer course, so it requires students to pay for summer school. We offer many scholarships to help offset the cost thanks to very generous JMU alumni.