About the Day
This event is designed to be flexible to meet your needs, so there is no "set schedule" that must be followed. You are encouraged to explore campus and various areas of interest at your leisure throughout the day.
Jump to see events for:
Want to plan your day now?
Download the Guidebook app to plan your day, explore campus, get directions, and more.
Arriving on Friday?
Early Check-In is available from 4 - 8 p.m. on Friday night. Learn more.
The following are the events available during Explore JMU: Academic Open House on November 16.
A printed program for the day will be available at check-in. See detailed check-in directions and parking information.
Check-in is from 8 - 10 a.m. Event programming runs between 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. with most academic programming offered between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
If you are unexpectedly delayed, late check-in will be available in both locations until 12:30 p.m.
Academic Events
Our events to explore academic programs are grouped by academic colleges. You are welcome to attend as many academic events as your schedule allows.
Expand the sections below to see times, locations, and programs for each academic college. Room numbers for academic information sessions will be included in the paper program and Guidebook app.
Need help? A great way to find what sessions fit you best is to search for your major or minor in our Find My Program page. That helps you figure out which academic college houses your primary interest. If you are undecided about your potential major in college, feel free to check out any academic session and our Exploratory Students session.
Academic College Events
Locations: Harrison Hall
College Information Tables: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Major Information Sessions: 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
*Majors marked with an asterisk will offer an additional information session at 11:30 a.m.
- Communication Studies SCOM
- English*
- History
- Justice Studies
- Media Arts and Design SMAD
- Philosophy; Global Religions and Cultures
- Political Science; International Affairs; Public Administration
- Sociology and Anthropology*
- World Languages and Cultures
- Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication WRTC*
Location: Hartman Hall
College Overview Sessions: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m., 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Major Information Sessions: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Drop-In Advising for CoB Transfer Students: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
- Accounting
- Business Management
- Computer Information Systems
- Economics
- Finance and Quantitative Finance
- International Business
- Marketing
Location: Memorial Hall
Major Information Sessions: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 - 11:30 a.m.
College Information Tables: 8:30 a.m. - Noon
Teacher Education Overview: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
- Elementary Education (PreK - 6th grades)
- Inclusive Early Childhood (Birth - age 5)
- Special Education (K - 12th grades)
- Middle Grades Education (6th - 8th grades)
- Secondary Education (6th - 12th grades)
Location: Health and Behavioral Studies Building, Miller Hall and Grafton-Stovall Theatre
Major Information Sessions: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Unit Q&A Drop-In: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
College Information Table: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Health Professions:
- Dietetics
- Health Services Administration
- Applied Nutrition (graduate program)
- Athletic Training (graduate program)
- Occupational Therapy (graduate program)
- Physicians Assistant (graduate program)
- Kinesiology
- Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Health Sciences
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Social Work
Locations: King Hall and Engineering/Geosciences (EnGeo) Building
Major Information Tables: 8:30 a.m. - Noon
Major Information Sessions: 10 - 10:45 a.m. and 11 - 11:45 a.m.
*Most majors will offer tours following information sessions
- Computer Science*
- Engineering*
- Geography*
- Information Technology*
- Integrated Science and Technology*
- Intelligence Analysis
Interested in learning more about STEM opportunities at JMU? Check out the STEM at JMU Overview.
Locations: Engineering/Geosciences Building (EnGeo) and Physics/Chemistry Building (Phys/Chem)
Major Information Tables: 8:30 a.m. - Noon
Mineral Museum Tours: 8:30 - 9 a.m.
- Biology and Biotechnology
- Academic Presentation and Discussion: 9:30 - 10:20 a.m. and 10:30 - 11:20 a.m.
- Building Tours and Lab Demos: 10:30 - 11:20 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
- Chemistry/Biochemistry
- Hands-On Activities: 9 - 11:30 a.m.
- Chemistry Demos: 9:30 - 10 a.m. and 10:30 - 11 a.m.
- Student Tours and Parent Presentation/Q&A: 10 - 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. - Noon
- Geology/Environmental Science
- Information Tours: 10 - 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. - Noon
- Mathematics/Statistics
- Information Sessions: 10 - 10:45 a.m. and 11 - 11:45 a.m.
- Physics/Astronomy
- Information Sessions: 10 - 10:45 a.m. and 11 - 11:45 a.m.
- Ongoing Tours: 9 a.m. - Noon
Interested in learning more about STEM opportunities at JMU? Check out the STEM at JMU Overview.
Locations: Forbes Center and Duke Hall
Major Information Tables: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Major Information Sessions: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Majors will offer tours following information sessions
- School of Art, Design and Art History
- School of Music
- School of Theatre and Dance
Tours of Wayland Hall Arts Learning Community at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Interested in Art, Dance, Music or Theatre Education? Learn more about Teacher Licensure with the College of Education in Memorial Hall from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Godwin Hall and the Union
- Hospitality Management
- Information Session: 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
- Information Session: 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
- Sport and Recreation Management
- Information Sessions: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Location: Engineering/Geosciences Building (EnGeo)
Overview Presentation: 8:30 - 9:10 a.m. and 9:15 - 9:55 a.m.
Find out about the wide range of majors in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at JMU. This session emphasizes how exemplary pedagogy and experiential learning manifest in distinctive and meaningful programs in a range of STEM fields at JMU.
Additional Academic Events
Location: The Union, Room 405
Open House: 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Want to join the world’s greatest Air Force? Learn how Air Force ROTC Detachment 890 produces exemplary leaders and discover the Air Force/Space Force’s breadth of available career fields—to include flying jets, operating space satellites, working as an intelligence or cyber officer, serving in the medical professions, and building business deals with contractors.
Location: The Union, Room 405
Open House: 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Do you have what it takes? Join us as Cadets and Cadre from the JMU Army ROTC Duke Battalion discuss the program and answer questions about what is necessary to fulfill the Professional Military Education requirements for a commission as an Officer in the US Army upon graduation.
Location: Grafton-Stovall Theatre
Overview with Q&A: 1 - 1:45 p.m. and 2 - 2:45 p.m.
Intentionally choosing Exploratory as your pathway at JMU allows individuals to take courses from a variety of areas across campus with the goal of finding their best fit major. Exploratory Advising supports and guides students in the process of finding a major, helping students thoughtfully explore their interests, goals and career aspirations through a variety of resources.
Location: Hillcrest House
Open House: 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Learn more about our Honors College and how you can be part of a program designed to strengthen your education at JMU.
Location: Engineering/Geosciences (EnGeo) Building, Room 2301
Overview and Student Panel Q&A: 1 - 2 p.m.
Pre-Professional Health (PPH) Advising provides aspiring health professionals with the information, advising, and application support necessary to engage in career exploration, achieve excellence in core competencies, and prepare for admission to health professions schools.
Minors: Pre-Athletic Training; Pre-Dentistry; Pre-Medicine; Pre-Occupational Therapy; Pre-Optometry; Pre-Pharmacy; Pre-Physical Therapy; Pre-Physician Assistant; Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Location: The Union, Ballroom
Information Sessions: 1 - 1:45 p.m and 2 - 2:45 p.m.
Attend either session to learn about the 100+ study abroad programs in JMU's portfolio and hear students' stories from their time abroad. Center for Global Engagement staff will cover frequently asked questions like funding your study abroad, the best time to go, and how to get the most out of your experience. We'll also offer tips and tricks to find your ideal program and make your application stand out.
Location: Festival Conference and Student Center, Highlands Room
Meet and Greet: 2 - 2:15 p.m.
Q&A Panel: 2:15 - 3 p.m.
Come by to connect with members of JMU’s Black Alumni Chapter as they share their JMU experiences, successes and why they chose JMU. The Black Alumni Chapter encompasses over 5,000 alumni who are here to help you by providing resources and support beyond the classroom.
Learn more from a panel of alumni about their journey at JMU, including academic successes, connections with faculty and staff, extracurricular experiences and their “Why JMU?” stories. Join us at E-Hall after the panel for a late lunch with our alumni!
Location: Festival Conference and Student Center, Balloom A
Information Sessions: Noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Are you applying to JMU? This session is the right place for you! Hear from the Office of Admissions and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships about the JMU application process and timeline, how to apply, what we’re looking for in competitive applicants, the JMU financial aid process, and more.
The information in these sessions is primarily for high school seniors. All are welcome to attend.
Location: The Union, Room 256
Information Tables: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
JMU is dedicated to the success of our students. At this resource fair, explore many of the university offices and departments that encourage success, involvement, and leadership for all JMU students. Get your questions answered; explore student resources; and learn more about opportunities with students, faculty, and staff who are committed to enriching the lives of students through learning and participation outside of the traditional classroom.
Location: The Union, Room 306
Information Sessions: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Join us for an admissions information session specifically designed for prospective transfer students. In this session, you will learn more about the Madison Experience, transfer admissions process, and resources available to ease your transition to JMU. Hear from current transfer students and ask any questions that are on your mind.
Student Panel: Noon
Hear from current transfer students about their unique transfer journeys and how they’re making the most of their JMU experiences.
Transfer Resource Panel: 2 p.m.
Hear from key departments dedicated to helping transfer students succeed. Learn about living off-campus, orientation for transfer students, and how to become part of the JMU community. This will be a panel and Q&A hosted by the JMU Next Transfer Advising team.
Location: University Recreation Center
Open House: 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Join University Recreation (UREC) staff for coffee, hot chocolate and iced tea and conversation about recreation, fitness and wellness at JMU! Explore the award-winning UREC facility to see the wide range of facilities, equipment, and services available to all students. You’ll also have the chance to learn more about getting involved in sport clubs, adventure options in the Shenandoah Valley, the wide range of beginner-friendly programs UREC offers to Motivate Madison into Motion, and more!
Campus Tours
Take a 45-minute tour with a Student Ambassador tour guide to see one side of campus or the other. The tours focus on the student experience at JMU.
East Campus Tours
Offered continuously from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Leave from the lower level of Festival.
West Campus Tours
Offered continuously from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Leave from the Burruss Fountain.
MSC 0101
100 East Grace Street
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
