18 Masters Degree Programs in Harrisonburg USA

The Master of Science degree in Integrated Science and Technology (M.S. in ISAT) is a 33-credit accelerated program offering a concentration in Environmental Management and Sustainability that prepares graduates to be leaders that drive innovation and commerce while positively impacting the well-being and sustainability of our planet and its people. Our graduates share a holistic understanding of sustainability and the environment and bring a systems-based, problem-solving approach to their work in private companies, government agencies and non-profit organizations.

The psychological sciences program at James Madison University fosters the development of students interested in improving their research skills and preparing for doctoral education. The primary function of the program is to develop students' knowledge, skills, and abilities in scientific inquiry, methods, and analysis and to equip students to apply their research-based training as researchers, consultants, and/or practitioners. At the core of the program is coursework in multiple content areas within psychology; coursework in statistics, measurement, and research design; a research apprenticeship; and a thesis. The culture of the program is consistent with that of doctoral programs, including expectations that students will develop a portfolio of scholarly accomplishments (e.g., publications and conference presentations) and participate in various extra-curricular activities related to their discipline. Regular attendance at program-wide roundtable discussions and concentration-specific meetings is expected and required. Students develop expertise in a specialty area through selected course work and closely mentored experiences with a faculty adviser. Faculty advisers provide regular support and consultation regarding progress in the program and professional development.

James Madison University invites members of its campus community to “Be the Change.” Our M.A. program in Communication and Advocacy provides you with the skills to know how to be a voice for change in the world.

The Department of Kinesiology is dedicated to the development of future leaders in professions that maximize the potential of individuals and society through physical activity, exercise, and sport. The department offers a Master of Science degree with a focus on exercise physiology that includes both a thesis and a non-thesis track. Courses must be selected with the approval of the adviser in accordance with the professional goals of the student. Students applying to kinesiology are expected to have satisfactory Graduate Record Examination scores and adequate undergraduate preparation, including at least one course in a cognate area of the discipline.

Blending adult learning theory, instructional technology, and talent development, the Adult Education and Human Resource Development (AHRD) master’s program creates an engaging and innovative learning environment for students who want to help employees perform at their best.

The English department emphasizes preparation for Ph.D. work and advanced training both for secondary education teachers and those for whom an M.A. in English would enhance career options. We welcome students who, for whatever reasons, are eager to read literature on an advanced level, who enjoy research and writing, and who appreciate the responsibilities and pleasures of pursuing one's intellectual goals within an academic community.

As members of the clinical mental health counseling program of James Madison University, we have formed our own special community of faculty, staff, and students. We vary in abilities, age, class, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, and place of birth, but we share a common vision of achieving a vitally important mission and transforming students into successful community counselors. Our alumni are dedicated to providing competent, caring, and ethical services to diverse clients in public agencies, community programs, and private practices. Putting our principles into practice, we strive to create a caring community in which we can thrive personally and grow professionally. While many of our graduates work in rural communities in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley or among the mountains of West Virginia, many more have moved on to serve in other communities throughout the mid-Atlantic region and across the nation.We invite our students to embark on a life-long journey of exploring new possibilities, refining their skills, and staying fresh throughout their careers. We encourage them to support one another in the formidable task of facilitating the change process in individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities as licensed professional counselors. Finally, we challenge our graduates to advance the clinical mental health counseling profession through service, research, innovation, advocacy, and training.

The Master of Fine Arts Program will challenge and support independently motivated artists in their intellectual, philosophical, and artistic development. The graduate program encourages lifelong learning, career success, and community involvement.

The Master of Public Administration degree is the recognized professional degree for careers in public service. JMU's MPA program enhances the administrative knowledge and skills of professionals already employed in government, nonprofit organizations, and firms that deal extensively with the government. The internship component also prepares "pre-service" students who seek to enter the public sector.

The sport and recreation leadership degree program is designed to empower students with the education and skill sets necessary to succeed and become a leader in the sport or recreation industries. Sport and recreation are competitive markets, so our faculty is comprised of professionals who have actually worked in a sport and/or recreation field. Real-world experience and understanding of the practical knowledge and skills that students will need in their careers provide the edge that they will need to move ahead and stay ahead of the herd.

The School of Music offers a Master of Music degree with concentration options in composition, conducting, music education, and performance. The program seeks to provide an opportunity for the highest level of musical development and professional training for each student, appropriate for careers in teaching, performance, and composition of music. Conducting majors will undertake a comprehensive study of the literature of their medium, develop advanced insights into the musical ideas and structure of the major works, and refine their conducting and rehearsal skills.

The biology graduate program is a thesis/research program for students who wish to continue the study of biology as a scholarly pursuit and who later continue work toward the Ph.D., work for industry or government, or wish to teach, primarily in two-year colleges. The primary objectives of the program are to enrich the student's subject knowledge and give the student a rigorous experience in research and thesis writing. Students can also acquire training and experience in teaching. Training in teaching is provided through courses and the mentored teaching of biology laboratories. Thus, students not only gain research experience, but they also learn to be effective teachers and communicators.

To achieve their goals, the programs combine work in theory, writing, text design, and analysis of communication systems and contexts to help students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to begin careers in writing, rhetoric, and technical communication. The programs emphasize scholarly, humanistic, and social scientific perspectives on the function and application of writing, rhetoric, and technical communication. Consequently, the programs provide students with not only the knowledge and skills required for careers in industry, business, or government but also the research skills and communication theory that will prepare them for doctoral study in communication and rhetoric. The long-range goal of the degree, then, is to enable program graduates to grow as professionals and, ultimately, to contribute to the developing field of writing, rhetoric, and technical communication. Students work with school advisers to design a program that fits their unique educational needs and career aspirations. Depending on their backgrounds and options they might choose to pursue while in the degree program, students may decide to take additional courses to obtain knowledge or skills in specialized areas. For example, students may choose to take extra coursework to enhance their skills in communication technologies or to deepen their academic training in the writing, rhetoric, and technical communication content areas in which they intend to work as professional writers or editors.

What is an Athletic Trainer? Athletic Trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. JMU’s Master of Science in Athletic Training is a CAATE-accredited, professional-level program designed to prepare students to successfully pass the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam. This program is for students seeking to begin their careers as athletic trainers. Applicants must either have an earned bachelor’s degree or be in the last year of their bachelor’s program.

Designed for working professionals, our highly technical M.S. degree is one of the most comprehensive Information Security Masters’ programs in the nation. JMU is one of only seven original National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense, designed by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).