Academic Calendars can be found on the Registrar's website

• Dates and Deadlines Semester Calendar
• Full Academic Year Calendar

In recognition of the fact that some persons may achieve academic competence through nontraditional means, such as private study, technical employment or prior instruction, JMU endorses credit for prior learning. Policies for acceptance of credit may be found in the JMU Catalog. 

Credit for Prior Learning and Prior Learning Assessment are both terms used in higher education to describe various methods used to award credit to students for learning experiences outside of a course. These are based on an evaluation of a student’s prior learning experiences or an assessment of the student’s demonstrated learning. 

TRANSFER CREDIT 

JMU requirements and processes for evaluating transfer credit are administered through the JMU Registrar and include: 

• Grade requirements (generally a "C" grade or 2.0 GPA) 

• Course must come from a regionally or nationally accredited institution 

• Transcripts must be considered "official" and carry official stamp of the granting institution's Registrar 

• Courses are evaluated by faculty in the discipline  

 In addition to college coursework, students may also have earned credit from military education and experience that is recorded on a Joint-Services Transcript (JST). 

PROFICIENCY CREDIT

Proficiency credit includes credit by examination and credit by portfolio assessment. Examples at JMU include: 

• Course challenge exams 

• Standardized assessments (AP, CIE, IB, and CLEP) 

• Prior Training and Certification from employers, business, and industry
  
  
• Credit by portfolio for specific JMU courses 

JMU PORTFOLIO OF PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT  

A portfolio assessment is an option for a student who has gained significant learning through experiences such as workplace training, volunteer service, civic activities, conferences, workshops, vocational interests, travel, and independent reading. Through a portfolio, a student makes a case by succinctly identifying, articulating, and documenting mastery of learning.  

• Portfolios must target specific JMU courses from the catalog and show evidence of meeting learning outcomes. 

• Courses must be approved by the department. 

• Students must take IS 206 and consult with their advisor prior to attempting credit by portfolio. 

• The evaluation fee charged to students for portfolios is $200.

• Portfolios must be evaluated by faculty subject matter experts as identified by the department that offers the course. 

 Credit by examination or portfolio credit which was granted by another college or university is generally not accepted automatically by the Registrar; however, students should speak with their advisor regarding potential departmental review. 

Graduation applications are now done electronically through MyMadison. 

December Graduation candidates may begin to apply for graduation via MyMadison on May 1.

May/August Graduation applications are due to the ADP Academic Advisor on October 1.

These deadlines differ from those for all other undergraduate majors. We cannot guarantee that your name will appear in the programs for December and May Commencements if your application is submitted after the deadline.

For additional information on Commencement, visit JMU Commencement.

The call for three ADP scholarships is made in February each year. For information on these scholarships, application availability, and submission deadline, refer to the ADP Scholarships page.