James Madison College provides an undergraduate education in public affairs and international relations with four distinct majors. Our courses draw insight from various social sciences and related fields, including political science, economics, literature, sociology, philosophy and history. The multi-disciplinary perspective and focus on applied social science prepares students to pursue a variety of careers with a heightened social awareness and global responsibility.
Majors at James Madison College
After the completion of the first-year curriculum, students choose at least one of the following majors to pursue:
Comparative Cultures and Politics
Explore the complex relationships between international affairs and cultures. New approaches to analyzing cultures and politics around the globe prepare students to make substantial contributions to international affairs, public policy and public life. Learn more about the CCP major.
International Relations
Examine the economic, political and social interactions of the global community and learn to develop creative solutions to complex societal challenges. Courses explore themes of international security, political economy, global governance and foreign policy. Learn more about the IR major.
Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy
Analyze the principles that motivate political communities and how they are translated into practice. A comprehensive curriculum draws from Plato and the classical poets to contemporary political theory, literature and U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Learn more about the PTCD major.
Social Relations and Policy
Survey the domain of public issues that are especially affected by relations among groups. Courses focus on sociology, history and politics, paying close attention to the influence and intersectionality of class, race, ethnicity, sex/gender, religious belief and national identity. Learn more about the SRP major.
Learn more about JMC's majors and minors.
What Makes JMC Unique
In their first year, students will take:
- MC 111: Identity and Community - This course develops students' college-level writing abilities while exploring the overarching theme of identity and community through a variety of historical, cultural and intellectual contexts.
- MC 201: Introduction to the Study of Public Affairs I - This course introduces students to some of the political, economic and social dimensions of American civilization and how they shape our approach to public and international affairs.
- MC 202: Introduction to the Study of Public Affairs II – This course allows students to explore topics within the social sciences and humanities through a writing-intensive research seminar. Students will engage through the research process to create research proposals.
Students declare JMC major(s) at the end of their first year and begin coursework in the specific area of study during the second year. By graduation, about half of a students’ coursework will have come from within JMC, with the other half coming through other disciplines at MSU. JMC students often supplement their JMC majors with additional majors and minors offered through other MSU departments.
JMC academic advisors support students from orientation to graduation and beyond. Advisors can help students understand their academic requirements, work on degree plans, review progress toward degree, connect students with important campus resources, discuss strategies for success and explore students' interests and related opportunities and serve as mentors.
Additionally, JMC offers specific advising for education abroad and internships through our Field Experience Office, as well as career and graduate/law school guidance through JMC Career Services.
Learn more about academic advising at JMC.
JMC offers a long list of education abroad, study/internship away programming. James Madison’s Field Experience Coordinator guides students through the process of pursuing these opportunities.
Internships: JMC students have a field experience requirement. During either the third or fourth year, at least one semester is spent in an internship with an agency, organization, business or legislative office, instead of in the classroom. JMC can assist students in coordinating a field experience abroad, allowing them to gain valuable work experience while learning how to communicate and operate in remote and international contexts.
Education Abroad: Ranked #1 in education abroad, MSU provides over 275 different options for students to pursue. Whether spending a semester abroad enrolled at another institution or learning with their JMC peers and faculty in internationally-based JMC coursework, students have support from JMC’s Field Experience Office as well as MSU’s Education Abroad Office to choose the program that best meets their needs and budget.
Spotlight: Ashlin Stover
In Fall 2025, JMC student Ashlin Stover (IR '27) was named MSU's first recipient of the Voyager Scholarship. The scholarship supports students who demonstrate an expansive view of what’s possible through public service. Read more about Ashlin's academic journey at JMC and her path to the Voyager Scholarship.
Student View: Yellowstone Study Away
Interested in learning more about opportunities to study outside the classroom? Read a Q&A with Gabriel Hoover (IR '27) who participated in the Yellowstone Study Away program, led by JMC Profs. Sherman Garnett and Daniel Kramer, in May 2025.
Academic Resources