James Madison University Graduate Programs help develop professional knowledge and skills that enables students to pursue car ... eers that impact society. JMU ignites students' professional and scholarly passions through individual mentorship by outstanding and supportive faculty members, world-class facilities and a 125,000-member alumni and professional network. As a result, 98 percent of May 2017 graduates were either employed or accepted into further educational programs within six months of graduation. Forty percent of all full-time graduate students on campus receive full or partial financial support; most of these students earn this support by serving as a Graduate Assistant, Teaching Assistant, or Doctoral Assistant. Tuition for students with assistantships is reduced and often completely covered. These students work for a university department 20 hours/week and earn a stipend. Location JMU is in a small city, situated in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia two hours south of Washington, DC. The campus offers two libraries, an enormous recreation center, and center for performing arts. Harrisonburg is a diverse community with a wide range of ethnic groceries, many churches, a Jewish synagogue, and a Muslim mosque, great schools and after-school activities for children, a historic downtown with a vibrant arts community, and many dining and shopping opportunities. Nearby national parks, the Appalachian Trail, rivers, caverns, golf courses, wineries, and ski resorts make this an ideal location for students seeking outdoor activities. Success After Graduation We are proud of the diverse accomplishments of our graduate students. Many work collaboratively with their faculty, and sometimes with teams of undergraduate students. Many of our students benefit from well-supervised and highly engaging internships, clinical practica, and teaching opportunities on campus and throughout the local community. We encourage and support scholarly and creative activities by students. The graduate school offers travel grants that provide financial support to students so that they can present their work at professional meetings and grants to study abroad. read more