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James Madison University

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James Madison University reviews

4.3

93% would recommend to a friend

(750 total reviews)
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Jonathan R. Alger

95% approve of CEO

77% positive business outlook

James Madison University has an employee rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, based on 750 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an excellent working experience there. The James Madison University employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

750 reviews
4.0
Aug 12, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There is a lot of flexibility in terms of what counts towards tenure and promotion, and there is relatively little pressure to bring in grants or publish large numbers of papers. The students are very enthusiastic and always eager to work on projects with you. There are lots of opportunities to change your focus of you become interested in something new. In general the university is very supportive of faculty.

Cons

The teaching load is very heavy, and the time spent teaching each course is higher than at other universities due to high levels of interaction with students during office hours and projects. Many faculty members teach unpaid since hiring in many programs has not kept up with student growth. Pay is getting better but still lags behind many peer institutions. Politics can be brutal in some departments, and is particularly bad when it comes to curriculum or course changes.

3.0
Oct 27, 2014

A very good place to work

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Everyone is friendly A lot of training to get you started

Cons

In the middle of nowhere

1.0
Sep 6, 2014

Wouldn't wish a job here on my enemies

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

James Madison University has a Beautiful campus, its nestled in a nice small town, the state benefits are decent and the given time off per year is great.

Cons

I've noticed in my time here that within the last 6 years or so this establishment has completely went upside down for the worse. This place definitely runs on a Buddy System. You get places within by knowing people and or brown nosing the right people. If you step on the wrong toes or get on someones bad side you will never advance here. Bullying is very evendent. Its a shame that this goes on because JMU is full of wonderful people and has great opportunities. The common sense factor is loooong gone and ethics are nonexistent in most upper positions. Management positions are simply figure heads that have no idea about anything in the shops they manage and they are told what to do by their puppet masters above them. Its evident that when hiring these positions they want a "yes man" employee. If you are good at your job you will be held back from moving up/around and if you are not doing good then they will press you out in some way, shape or form. I've seen this happen to more than a few people and it's not right. Don't work here on any level is my opinion. Its not worth it. Lastly, HR is pointless. They are suppose to stop this lack of ethics and stand up for the workers which they don't do. They too are told what to do by these bullies. That's why HR positions are always open or shortly filled here. Its a revolving door for them. They get sick of not being able to do their jobs.

Viewing 7 - 9 of 750 Reviews

Glassdoor has 838 James Madison University reviews submitted anonymously by James Madison University employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if James Madison University is right for you.