Knowledge that matters

The teachings of Plato and Aristotle. How our nation's world view affects our consequent actions and how international politics ripple through our daily lives. Which factors affect life choices.

Our humanities and social sciences programs launch students on a constant search for knowledge and the keys to understanding the human condition.

Along the way, our students develop critical thinking, communication, research and interpersonal skills that make JMU graduates highly prized in the job market.

The combination of skills and knowledge our students acquire leads to jobs and post-graduate educational choices.

Highlights

• Madison Awards for Academic Excellence provide tuition scholarships for selected top-level students.
• The Washington Semester program, open to all JMU students, allows students to explore the wealth of political and cultural opportunities available in the Washington, D.C., area.
• JMU's Furious Flower Poetry Center is the nation’s first academic center for Black poetry. The center’s work and research are aimed at preserving the history of Black poets for future generations.
• The inaugural College of Arts and Letters Career Conference put students in touch with successful alumni for networking, career and job hunting advice specific to liberal arts majors.

‘At JMU, I like that academics are competitive, but not overly competitive to where it could be overwhelming or stressful. I feel like this environment pushes me, but it doesn't break me. It's just the right amount. The best without overdoing it. ’

— Miranda Stanhope, Class of 2024