Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Catalog Year 2024-2027

Based on VCCS Curriculum for POLITICAL SCIENCE

Transfer Guidance

Transfer Admission 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.

• The political science associate degree is a great preparation for several majors within the political science department at JMU. Other possible majors include the B.A. in International Affairs and the B.S. in Public Administration. Find information and transfer courses for International Affairs at https://www.jmu.edu/transfer/snapshots/ssinta.shtml and for Public Administration at https://www.jmu.edu/transfer/snapshots/ssppa.shtml.

• Have you discovered a love of political science later in your VCCS studies and don't have time to finish all the courses listed above? That's ok! Try to complete PLS 135, 140, 200 and 241 before transfer, if possible.

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?

• 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 make an appointment with a JMU Next Transfer Advisor in your first year.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• Political science courses are generally reading and writing intensive, so students enrolled in two-year programs are better served taking courses that are known to require both. In this way students will become accustomed to the expectations they will find in political science at JMU. Additionally, statistics is a pre-requisite to the Research Methods course in the political science major; completion of statistics in the two-year program is advised, but not mandatory.

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.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: The political science program follows JMU's policies and score requirements regarding Dual Enrollment courses applied to their associate degree.

• 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.

• 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 political science department offers programs that lead students to careers in the following fields: public administration and management; federal, state and local government; international organizations; law; non-profit organizations; politics and campaigns; the intelligence community; and the private sector. To enhance the marketability of its students, the political science department supports career-related internships, study abroad, the Washington Semester, and on-campus networking with alumni. Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Program Successes & Highlights

• Most political science students are able to complete their major and degree requirements within the standard four-year period. Graduates are also able to find jobs in a variety of fields—in both the public and private sectors—once they leave JMU. Our alumni network has proven helpful in directing our majors toward job and career prospects upon graduation. For those who are interested, the Washington Semester supplies both academic coursework as well as potential career networking. Several political science faculty lead short-term study abroad courses in the summer, which help students gain exposure to global perspectives.

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!

• While a minor or a second major is not required of JMU political science majors, many students do commit to studying a minor or second major. Internships are not required of political science majors, but they are recommended, and credit towards the major may be earned by enrolling in our internship course. The Department of Political Science also offers a Washington Semester program that provides all majors offered by the Department to spend a semester in Washington where they combine an internship experience with an academic program of study.