Transfer to James Madison College
Whether you're transferring from another college or moving into JMC from another major at MSU, James Madison College welcomes transfer students who are ready to pursue a degree in public affairs. Transfer applications are reviewed on a space-available basis with a Feb. 1 deadline for fall admission.
Who qualifies as a transfer student?
Apply as a transfer student to James Madison College if you have attended a postsecondary institution after graduating from high school (with the exception of attendance during the summer term immediately following graduation) OR if you have earned a bachelor’s degree at another college or university and are seeking to earn another bachelor’s degree or teaching certificate.
Admission requirements
James Madison College admission requirements for transfer students:
- Complete coursework equivalent to MSU's WRA 101 and one of MSU's 200-level ISS courses.
- Submit a completed transfer application through MSU's Office of Admissions by Feb. 1 of the spring preceding the fall semester they would begin study at MSU. Applications submitted after Feb. 1 will be considered as space permits.
- Submit official transcripts that include grades from the preceding fall semester as part of the application.
How to apply
Transfer applicants apply through Michigan State University's central admissions process and indicate James Madison College as their college preference. To check whether courses from your current institution carry MSU equivalencies, use MSU's transfer course search.
Current MSU students
If you're a current MSU student in another college and want to declare a James Madison College major, you don't need to submit a formal application. Visit our Current MSU Student Admissions page for more information.
Explore JMC
Contact the JMC Admissions Team at jmcadmin@msu.edu with questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your best first step is to contact JMC’s academic advising team by emailing Assistant Dean Jeff Judge (judgej@msu.edu) to schedule an advising appointment.
During this appointment, you’ll work with an advisor to review the courses you’ve already taken and discuss how they may align with JMC’s requirements, estimate how many semesters you may have left and identify recommended courses for future enrollment.
For an early sense of how your completed coursework may transfer, start with MSU’s transfer credit resources at transfer.msu.edu. Your JMC advisor can confirm the details and answer specific questions at your advising appointment.
Yes. The MSU Office of Admissions provides information on scholarships for students transferring to Michigan State from another accredited college or university.
Transfer students who enter JMC in their second year have usually completed a writing course (WRA), an equivalent of an Integrative Social Science course and an economics course. Schedule a meeting by emailing Assistant Dean Jeff Judge (judgej@msu.edu).
Most JMC courses are taught in person to support the college’s discussion-based, interactive classes, and are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. A limited number of online and evening courses are available, though offerings vary by semester.
Email Emelia Hammond at ehammond@msu.edu for information about the waitlist process.
Transfer Student Story: Sam Wright
Sam Wright did not take a typical path to JMC. He dropped out of high school, earned his GED while working full time and spent nearly two decades in the telecommunications industry before ever setting foot in a college classroom. He graduated from JMC in 2026 and earned a full scholarship to MSU College of Law.
