Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies (IdLS)
IdLS is a liberal arts and sciences major that is cooperatively produced by four different colleges (Arts and Letters, Integrated Science and Technology, Math and Science, and Education).  The IdLS major provides content-area education for future teachers, and is designed to prepare students to meet subject area competencies required for teacher licensure in Virginia.  It is "interdisciplinary" because preK-8 teachers teach multiple subjects in ways that interweave knowledge rooted in numerous disciplines.  It is "liberal" because it liberates the mind and generates new possibilities for the future.

Who majors in IdLS?
If you are planning on teaching in the areas of early childhood (ECED), elementary (ELED), middle grades (MIED) or special education (SPED), then you major in IdLS and minor in ECED, ELED, MIED or SPED.

You will NOT major in IdLS if you are interested in teaching at the high school level.  Future high-school level teachers must major in the relevant discipline (e.g. English, math, Spanish, biology, etc.) and minor in secondary education (SEED).  If you are interested in teaching high school history or social studies, contact Dr. David Dillard (dillarpd@jmu.edu).

Declaring the IdLS major
1.Get a "Change or Declaration of Major" form from the Office of the Registrar.
2. Meet with the department head of your Education licensure area, and have him/her sign the form and assign you an education advisor. Education department heads are listed at the bottom of this page.
3. Take the form to the IdLS Office in Maury 118 for final signature. The IdLS office will assign you an IdLS advisor and send your completed form to the Registrar.

The IdLS Curriculum
There are two parts to the IdLS major -- the General Education core and the upper-division concentrations. 

All IdLS majors complete the core.  The core is composed of 53 hours of General Education courses relevant to future teachers.  By completing the core, students need only two more courses to complete JMU's General Education requirements.

Middle school minors have their own upper-division concentration.  ECED, ELED minors choose an upper division track in Math, Science, and Technology, OR Humanities and Social Science.  SPED students pick Track 7 of the Humanities and Social Science concentration.  These curricular paths can be found in the IdLS Check sheet.

IdLS and Study Abroad
IdLS students are encouraged to study abroad, but plan ahead!  If you are a Humanities-Social Sciences concentrator, we can assist you in arranging substitutions that will allow you to study abroad and continue completing your IdLS requirements. Students in the Math-Science area have to allow an additional semester, because there currently are no study abroad courses in math or science that can be substituted.

Also, some of your General Education credits may be taken abroad. Freshmen should discuss these options with their freshman advisors and upper class students should talk with their IdLS advisors about possibilities as early in the planning process as possible.

 For assistance with IdLS questions:

Dr. Fletcher Linder, IdLS Director

Ms. Margot Zahner, IdLS Advisor

Mrs. Donna Garber, IdLS Administrative Assistant

Dr. Steve Baedke, IdLS Area Director for Math, Science, and Technology

For assistance with Education questions:

Dr. Martha Ross, Department Head, Early Childhood and Elementary Education

Dr. Steve Purcell, Department Head, Middle School

Dr. Laura Desportes, Department Head, Special Education

College of Education

Licensure Information

Major Advising

Learning Resource Center

Last updated 6/2/08

Site maintained by Donna V. Garber