Bachelor of Arts or Sciences in Psychology

Catalog Year 2024-2027

Based on VCCS Curriculum for PSYCHOLOGY

Transfer Guidance

Admission into the psychology major at JMU

• To be eligible for 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.

• Students must meet the additional criteria below to be eligible to be fully admitted into the Psychology program at the time of admission to JMU: Complete PSY 200 (=PSYC 101) and a 200-level math course at VCCS with grades of C or better; Earn a grade of B or better in either PSY 200 (= PSYC 101) or PSY 230 (=PSYC 160).

• Further information about the major admissions procedure in Psychology is available on the department's website (https://psyc.jmu.edu/ug/admission.html) and in the JMU undergraduate catalog.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://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: https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer-GAA.shtml.

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

• Financial Aid: https://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?

• Students who receive transfer credit for PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 and who meet major admissions requirements will typically be able to complete the major in 4 semesters, even if they have not completed any courses in the Social Science or Natural Science core prior to transferring.

• Students interested in pursuing one of the pre-professional health (PPH) minors at JMU sometimes choose to major in psychology. If you are considering a PPH minor, you are encouraged to also review information from the Office of Pre-Professional Health Advising at: https://www.jmu.edu/pph/index.shtml and https://www.jmu.edu/pph/2023-2024minors.pdf.

• 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 James Madison University within your first year. College Connect available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• The general psychology major is appropriate for students who are interested in the scientific study of behavior. Courses in statistics and research methods, as well as courses across a broad range of psychological science, are required.

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 50% of the credits required for graduation in your major must be taken at a 4-year college or university, and 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.

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Program Successes & Highlights

• Each year, many students participate in research with faculty members or gain experience as teaching assistants in classes. Many students present their work at our annual Psychology Symposium, as well as at regional, national, and international psychology conferences. Our graduates pursue many areas of graduate study as well as a wide variety of careers following their bachelors' degrees. Our department has a strong emphasis on teaching and on the scholarship of teaching and learning; many of our faculty have been recognized at the local and national levels for outstanding 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!

• The Psychology Department offers numerous opportunities for hands-on experience, including research, teaching assistantships, and a field placement program for selected students. In addition, the department offers summer Study Abroad classes.