July 14 - 20, 2024

Honors Core Course:

Students will all attend the course together every day during the week. This interdisciplinary course will explore complex topics that deal with contemporary issues in society, culture, technology, and the sciences. Together with your fellow Summer Honors students and the professors, you will grapple with some of the big picture questions that embody an Honors education. 

Classes/Information Sessions:

The rest of the day will be spent in subject-area classes. Students will take different classes each day in majors such as Mathematics, History, Astronomy, Political Science, Geography, Finance, Biotechnology, English, Computer Science, Economics, Religion, Physics, Marketing, Geology, and more. Taught by outstanding faculty members from around the university, these courses are designed to be interactive and hands-on. You will engage with the professors and your fellow classmates and work together in a fun and dynamic learning environment. With a selection of courses to choose from, you will be able to craft a program that lets you explore majors you are interested in. In addition to classes, students will attend a number of information sessions throughout the week on topics such as college admissions and career exploration.

Summer Honors Institute courses are not eligible for JMU credit.

2023 Course Descriptions

Trips/Activities:

Afternoons and evenings are reserved for field trips and fun activities that allow Summer Honors students to explore the Shenandoah Valley. You will be able to visit Massanutten Resort and Morven Park. On campus, you will be able to make use of some of JMU’s fantastic facilities, such as the University Recreation Center and the planetarium. 

Student Housing:

The living-learning environment in one of the many dorm housing units on campus will bring you together with your fellow Summer Honors students and give you a sense of what living on campus as an college student would feel like. Peer counselors, who are current JMU Honors students, will guide you throughout the week and share their experiences with you along the way. 

Even if JMU is not the right college for you, the Summer Honors Institute will introduce you to the kinds of experiences you can expect from a university Honors College, and will distinguish you as an exceptional student who is looking to make the most of your college experience.

Cost: 

The cost is a $1,500 fee to both Virginia and non-Virginia resident students. This covers instructors, class materials, housing, meals, and all activities. Consider bringing money for snacks, the bookstore, and personal items.

Upon acceptance, there is a non-refundable $250.00 deposit to secure your seat in the program. This must be received no later than April 15th or your seat will be released. If you later decline your seat after making the deposit, you will not receive a refund for the deposit. There are a limited number of seats and a large number of applicants each year. Therefore, this deposit guarantees your seat in the program.

Scholarships may be available to applicants who demonstrate a financial need. Please contact Rae Vaughn at vaughnrm@jmu.edu or Kelly Jenkins at jenki2kd@jmu.edu to fill out an additional financial assistance application form.