Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication

The online application will ask you to enter personal information such as your address and contact information; your academic and employment history; and other information that will be used for acceptance decisions. Requirements vary by program. Visit your program webpage to review your program's requirements.

In addition to entering information, the online application may require you to upload documents such as resumes or personal statements before clicking the submit button. You will see a pop-up view of every item you upload. Check the quality and accuracy of your uploaded documents. Illegible documents will not be processed.

Please do not send or mail items if we have not requested them. They may not be processed and may delay your application.

Transcripts & Credential Evaluation

Details regarding transcripts and credential evaluations from non-US academic institutions can be found on the Transcripts & Credential Evaluation webpage.

Applicants should upload unofficial transcripts with their online application. If your transcript is not from JMU, OFFICIAL and FINAL transcripts demonstrating the degree has conferred will be required AFTER you are accepted into a program. Instructions will be in your acceptance letter.

Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions should be uploaded with your electronic application and may be used for departmental admission review purposes. If offered admission, you will be directed and required to submit to the JMU Graduate School an official transcript from any institution from which a degree has been awarded to finalize your admission. Transcripts are considered official if they are sent to JMU directly from the issuing institution.

Official transcripts can also be sent through an electronic transcript database provider such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or others. When using these services, please choose “other” or “employer” and use [email protected].

Letters of Recommendation

Some programs require letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are not uploaded by the applicant, but instead, they are submitted directly by the recommender. As you complete the online application, you must enter information about each person who will submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. We recommend that you contact your potential references before entering their names. The online application system will send an e-mail to each of the people you identify, and will ask them to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf directly to the application system.

To check if your recommenders have sent their letters or to make changes, login to your online application, click on "Review Your Activity," navigate to "Review Page," then click on "Manage Your Recommenders."

Officially accepted test scores and demonstration of English language proficiency

If English is not your native-language, applicants must present evidence of English proficiency. Completion of an undergraduate program in which English is the primary language of instruction is considered good evidence of English-language proficiency. Individual programs may have specific requirements for TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or other English language proficiency criteria, so check with your program of interest. Your application will be reviewed based on the evidence received with your application. Please follow this link to learn more details about English language proficiency