James Madison University
School of Media Arts & Design
SMAD Application Procedure
Admission Requirements:
The School of Media Arts and Design reviews applications for admission to the major each academic year in the spring semester. The application due date is the last Friday in January. All students interested in majoring in the programs offered by the School must apply for a limited number of spaces in the major. An Admissions Committee in the School reviews applications and offers admission based on availability to the most qualified students.
Students interested in this major must “declare” SMAD as a major and apply to become a “fully admitted” major. Declaring a SMAD major does not guarantee the student will be admitted into the SMAD major. Students must declare SMAD as a major prior to being eligible to enroll in SMAD 101. Students are restricted from SMAD courses beyond SMAD 101 until being accepted (fully admitted) into the major.
During the semester in which students are enrolled in SMAD 101, they may apply for admission to the major. A complete application to the major includes the following:
(1) Completion of SMAD 101 or enrollment in SMAD 101;
(2) Completion of the SMAD Competency Test with sections on:*
a. English grammar/usage
- Punctuation Sample Test (PDF)
- Punctuation Sample Test Answers (PDF)
- Grammar Sample Test (PDF)
- Grammar Sample Test Answers (PDF)
b. a timed writing sample, and
c. basic computer knowledge
- Helpful Study Guides
* (Instructions for SMAD Competency Test available in SMAD 101);
(3) A completed change of major form (available in the SMAD office);
(4) A completed SMAD major card (available in the SMAD office);
(5) A completed SMAD Questionnaire (available in the SMAD office) and relevant supporting documents.
(6) An application letter that will include the following: Prepare a letter of application in the concentration of your choice in the School of Media Arts and Design. By asking you to write this letter, we are hoping you will show us what you understand about SMAD, your selected concentration, and the career options that will exist for you when you have completed our program.
Consult resource materials on the SMAD web site and other places and in your letter tell us: 1) why you are interested in our program; 2) what you know about your chosen concentration and why it interests you; 3) how that concentration will contribute to your university education and intellectual growth; and 4) how that concentration will prepare you to meet your career goals.
Your double-spaced typed and signed letter should be approximately 500 words long. Research your topic, and write clearly and carefully. Do not quote from any resource material. We will evaluate your essay’s form and content. Your letter must be submitted in person to our administrative office in Harrison Hall, room 0276 by 4 p.m. no later than the last Friday in January. Email submissions will not be accepted. Be aware that the James Madison University Honor Code applies fully to this assignment.
The student will present the above information in a manila folder (supplied by the student) to the main SMAD office with the student’s last name, first name, and student identification number on the tab of the folder.
Following the review by the Admissions Committee, students will be notified about their acceptance into the major during spring break. If accepted, students will be eligible to register for SMAD courses. Students not accepted into the major will be notified and may reapply in the following year.
Choosing Your Concentration:
Students accepted into the major must pick a concentration.
Students who wish to change concentrations after being accepted into the major may do so only during the annual application time period. A student, after consulting with her/his advisor and gaining approval of the admissions committee, will be permitted to change concentration. Remember there are no guarantees that the change will be granted.
