James Madison College Recruitment Brochure

JAMES MADISON COLLEGE

PUBLIC POLICY & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

About JMC

My time at James Madison taught me how to think critically, listen deeply and realize that a single issue may have not one or two sides but hundreds.”

—Piper Meloche

Social Relations & Policy, Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy ‘23

James Madison College (JMC) is a residential learning community focused on the study of public policy and international affairs. JMC is one of three degree-granting residential colleges, offering “the best of both worlds” — small-school connections with world-class, interdisciplinary resources at one of the top global research centers: Michigan State University.

Through small discussion-based classes, students engage with their peers and professors, as they are encouraged to challenge conventional wisdom and to tackle relevant policy and public concerns confronting the 21st century.

In this close-knit living and learning community, Madison students are encouraged to broaden their interests, express their views and talents, and immerse themselves in academic exploration, surrounded by bright thinkers and problem solvers.

How to Apply

Complete the MSU application and select James Madison College as your intended major. Applications are reviewed and processed through the MSU Office of Admissions.

Once accepted to the university, students are admitted to Madison on a first-come, first-serve basis. Because JMC is a limited enrollment college, early applications are encouraged.

Apply online at admissions.msu.edu

Already Applied?

If you’ve already applied to MSU and you are interested in James Madison, log into your MSU Student Portal and change your intended major to James Madison College. If you have questions, contact the JMC Recruitment office at jmcadmin@msu.edu.

Provide your name, PID and date of birth.

Decision Timeline

Admission Submission Deadline FEBRUARY 1

EARLY ACTION DEADLINES

NOVEMBER 1

Admission Submission Deadline

(maximum scholarship consideration)

Rolling Admission

AFTER FEBRUARY 1

Admission Decision Deadline MARCH 1

REGULAR ADMISSION DEADLINES

JANUARY 15

Admission Decision Deadline

Academics

The most rewarding aspect of being a professor at JMC is the ability to see both intellectual and personal growth in the students over time. Madison provides a unique environment where I get to have numerous opportunities to interact with students and develop meaningful relationships.”

—Robert Brathwaite Associate professor of international relations and associate dean of research

Engage with today’s changing world through one of four majors. JMC’s high academic standards and focus on writing, speaking and critical thinking skills prepares students for a broad range of opportunities following graduation. Consider adding one of JMC’s four cross-University minors to complement your studies.

Madison students enroll in a set of introductory courses during the first year, which allows them to explore interests and topics across the study of public policy and international affairs, while developing a strong foundational skill set. Coursework becomes more focused when a major is declared.

Additional paths for specialized education include the 3 + 3 Education Admission Program and Teacher Certification.

AVERAGE CLASS SIZE

COMPARATIVE CULTURES AND POLITICS

Explore one of the 21st century’s most significant challenges facing public and international affairs specialists: The need to understand the complex relationship 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.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Examine the economic, political and social interactions of the global community and learn to develop creative solutions to the challenges facing society. Course topics are organized around the themes of international security, political economy, global governance, foreign policy and comparative, regional and cultural studies.

POLITICAL THEORY & CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY

Analyze the major competing principles that motivate political communities and how people have attempted to translate them into practice. A comprehensive curriculum includes course readings that range from Plato and the classical poets to contemporary political theory, literature and U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

SOCIAL RELATIONS AND POLICY

Explore the domain of public issues, especially affected by relations among groups, with a focus on the sociology, history and politics of intergroup relations as they relate to factors of class, race, ethnicity, gender, religion and national identity.

Majors Minors

• Muslim Studies

• Political Economy

• European Studies

• Science, Technology, Environment and Public Policy

Experiential Learning

Internships & Field Experience

JMC’s field experience program, one of the most extensive in the nation, provides hands-on business and civic engagement opportunities. The world is your classroom for at least one semester after your first year, enabling you to perform direct service through corporations, public sector organizations or government entities — often working for the public good.

From local courts and law offices to district congressional offices; statewide social service agencies to national nonprofits; corporate labor/industrial relations to global trade organizations; legislators and lobbyists to embassies and consulates, more than 600 organizations worldwide welcome James Madison College students into active internships.

Education Abroad

Michigan State University has been a leader in education abroad participation for years. Choose from JMC’s own faculty-led summer programs to Madison-sponsored semester coursework to the full range of hundreds of MSU-administered education abroad programs in more than 60 countries.

Whether venturing to new classrooms, crossing borders for an internship or assuming duties in a far-away field station, take advantage of the academic and personal growth opportunities fostered when living and learning in other cultural environments.

Undergraduate Research

Research is foundational at MSU, a university well known for pushing the frontiers of knowledge. As a JMC student, research is an integral part of your academic program, and there are many options for contributing meaningfully to the creation of new knowledge.

JMC students learn how to engage in the research process beginning with a social science-based research seminar during the first year. Senior-level students participate in a research-intensive seminar specific to their majors. Other intensive-research opportunities include one-on-one faculty-led inquiry, Independent Study projects and research labs such as JMC’s Human Rights and Data Science Lab, The Living Archive and the Mekong Culture WELL. Many of these experiences result in students presenting their research at regional and national conferences.

Each year select first-year students are appointed as Professional Assistants (PAs), working eight to 10 hours per week with a research mentor, earning pay as a research assistant.

Community

One of the greatest gifts I had the privilege of receiving was to be part of a community that is intellectually challenging and a safe space.”

—Solomon Kronberg Comparative Cultures & Politics ’22

JMC STUDENT GROUPS

• DreaMSU

• W.E.B. DuBois Society

• JMC Student Senate

• JMC Women of Color

• Latino Leaders in Policy

• MSU Model United Nations

• Prison Reform Advocacy Group

• Progressive Policy Alliance

• Spartan Food Security Council

• Empowering Women in Law

• Wilma Mankiller Society

• United Madison Multicultural Association

For a complete list of RSOs, visit studentlife.msu.edu

Being in such small classes allows our sections to develop a bond with our professors.”

—Isabelle Borr International Relations ‘24

The Residential College Experience

JMC is housed in Case Hall where most Madison students live their first two years. Living in the same building where most JMC classes are offered and where the offices of Madison faculty and advisers are located offers convenience and community among people who share common interests.

Programming for first-year students to get involved, connect with the Madison community and develop the necessary skills to be successful is both varied and intentional.

• Diversity & Advocacy Program

DAP is a social and academic support network that pairs underrepresented students with resources during their time at JMC, including networking, professional and cultural opportunities.

• Early Start Program

Early Start is a bridge program geared toward helping first-generation students gain a sense of belonging and transition to their first year of college. Incoming first-year students move into Case Hall early and participate in a range of activities designed to create support and build relationships with current students, faculty and alumni.

• First-Year Mentor Program

FYMP pairs first-year students with a current JMC student mentor to support their transition to JMC. The program aims to encourage successful academic and personal development and enrich student connections.

• MC 100: First-Year Success Seminar

10-week interactive course that prepares students to develop their skills and gain intellectual confidence

Careers & Alumni

Career choices are as varied as the students who attend Madison. A placement rate that consistently hovers around 97% speaks highly of the reputation for excellence James Madison College graduates have earned.

Madison taught me how to problem solve. I knew how to take an idea, mold it into a research question, find the relevant literature, collect data, analyze it and write a research paper. These are skills that are necessary for any career.”

—Kyle T. Mays, Social Relations & Policy ‘09 Associate professor at UCLA

The skill set Madison graduates gain prepares them for work in an array of private and public positions. Approximately 25% of JMC graduates matriculate to top U.S. law schools and graduate programs.

Respected college alumni are active in mentoring and supporting transitions into employment around the globe. Students have access to an on-site career adviser, career programming unique to the college and the MSU Career Services Network. Additionally, national and international recruiters come to MSU every year; many seek out JMC students specifically.

Alumni Making An Impact

AMANDA SLOAT ‘97

SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE

National Security Council, The White House

JEFFREY CUMMINGS ‘84

MAGISTRATE JUDGE

United States District Court

KARY MOSS ‘80

DIRECTOR

American Civil Liberties Union

MALINDA JENSEN ‘88

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation

RICHARD CORDRAY ‘81

FORMER DIRECTOR

U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (and five-time Jeopardy winner!)

SRUTHI NARAHARISETTI ‘14

SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Center for Court Innovation

STEVE EDER ‘04

REPORTER

The New York Times (Finalist, Pulitzer Prize for Public Service)

JAMES MADISON COLLEGE

RECRUITMENT

Phone: 517-353-5260

Fax: 517-432-1804

Email: jmcadmin@msu.edu

Main Office: 517-353-6750

Student & Academic Affairs: 517-353-6754

Field Experience: 517-353-6757

Career Services: 517-353-6756

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Admissions Office: 517-355-8332

Registrar: 517-355-3300

Financial Aid: 517-353-5940

Transfer Evaluations: 517-355-6636

Counseling Center: 517-355-8270

Learning Resources Center: 517-355-2363

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