Why JMC

The finest qualities of small liberal arts colleges combined with those of a large research university allows James Madison College to offer students a distinctive educational atmosphere. These living-learning communities unite students with similar interests in designated residence halls on the campus of MSU. James Madison College provides students unique access to campus resources; Case Hall houses not only students, but also faculty offices, academic advisors, classrooms, seminars, South Pointe dining hall, and the JMC library. This creates a learning environment that transcends classroom walls.

The Residential College Experience

James Madison is located in Case Hall, on the west side of campus near the Breslin Center and Spartan Stadium. All first year JMC students are required to live in our building, and many students opt to make Case Hall their home for sophomore, junior, and senior year. The building acts as a home-base for our students, as they explore all 5,200 acres of MSU - one of the largest college campuses in the country.

One benefit of the Residential College is small class sizes. In our first-year courses, the average section size is about twenty-five. Our sophomore and junior courses enroll no more than thirty-five students per section, with most sections remaining closer to thirty students. Senior seminars are limited to fewer than twenty students.

As a result, most classes are conducted as lively discussions in which students are encouraged and expected to participate. They draw insights from various social sciences and related fields, including political science, economics, literature, sociology, philosophy, and history. The faculty at Madison teach. Our instructors are hired with the understanding that we place a high value on excellent teaching. Each of our tenure-track faculty members also serves as an academic advisor to students; this, too, is a practice that makes us special.
Beyond the Classroom
Student Life

James Madison College attracts engaged students by nature, offering a vast array of activities related to course content and career interests. Many Madison students also seek participation in extracurricular activities and opportunities for leadership; these clubs, organizations, and events happen both inside the college and throughout the greater university.

You can expect hallways filled with lively debate well after classes have ended for the day, frequent guest speakers, career nights, panel discussions on current events, and non-academic socializing. Residence Life staff also offer a variety of activities to enrich your experience.

Unique Programs

Learn about some of the programs unique to James Madison College:
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The MSU Connection
James Madison College is one of three Residential College options at Michigan State University. While our students get the best of both worlds: The benefits of a small liberal arts college combined with the richness and diversity of Michigan State University; our students are first, and foremost, Spartans.

MSU Academics

Madison students are able to double major and minor with the over 200 other academic programs offered at MSU. See all of the academic opportunities the university has to offer here.

Student Groups and Organizations

Michigan State University has a variety of student-run organizations to join. The Student Activities Office within the Department of Student Life publishes a directory listing all registered organizations. To learn more about MSU's student organizations, visit the Department of Student Life.

Athletics at Michigan State University

Michigan State University has one of the strongest varsity athletic programs in the Big Ten. Visit the Spartans Online website for more information on your favorite varsity sport. If you're not a career athlete, but love to play sports, MSU's intramural sports league may be for you. Intramural Sports and Recreational Services offers team sports leagues, individual sports, and club sports. Where ever you may live on campus, there is an Intramural Sports Center close to you.

Diversity at Michigan State University

Diversity in the faculty, students and staff is a major source of MSU's intellectual vitality and innovative spirit. MSU strives to be a community where people of different cultures, intellectual positions and lifestyles can reach their full potential. Such an environment develops respect for differences while fostering caring relationships, cross-cultural understanding, and common educational commitments.

MSU encourages people to become fully engaged in the challenging issues of diversity within community. MSU seeks to be a University where a broad spectrum of informed perspectives gives rise to spirited, mind-opening discussions that prepare us for life in an increasingly diverse world.

Pride Points

As Spartans, our students have every opportunity to explore the amazing benefits offered at Michigan State. Here is a sample of some of the prestigious rankings and awards that MSU has received:
- The national leader in study abroad participation among U.S. public universities
- Awarded gold ranking for 2022 sustainability achievements by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
- Member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, a group of 77 universities regarded as the top research-intensive institutions in North America
- Sixth largest producer of Peace Corps volunteers since the corps was founded in 1961
- Ranked 31st among the nation’s public universities in 2023 by U.S. News & World Report
Life After Madison

The JMC curriculum's multidisciplinary approach allows students to excel as great writers, thinkers and employees post-graduation. Our involved alumni community knows the value of a Madison education and actively recruits recent Madison graduates.

Madison students possess diverse academic interests that translate to several different career paths post-graduation. More than half of Madison graduates secure full-time employment within six months of graduation. Additionally, top employers for Madison graduates include the State of Michigan, Michigan State University, the United States Federal Government, AmeriCorps VISTA and Teach For America.

James Madison College offers exceptional pre-law and graduate study preparation. Approximately 12% of Madison graduates pursue law school within six months of graduation, and another 12% matriculate to other graduate programs.

Madison alumni have been accepted to some of the most prestigious law programs in the nation, including Harvard University, Stanford University, Columbia University, the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago. Common graduate programs our alumni pursue include business, economics, public health, international relations, sociology, Russian literature, urban affairs, resource development and journalism.
For more information on JMC's career outcomes, visit the Career Services Network.