The Early Childhood Associate Degree to Bachelor of Individualized Studies is designed for students who have earned their Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood from a Virginia Community College. Completers of this program earn a bachelor's degree and are eligible for a Virginia teaching license in PK-3rd Grades.

The application for JMU's Online Teacher Education programs is open from February 10 through July 1. The priority deadline is April 1. There is no cost to apply. All required paperwork must be received and processed before July 1.

Who is Eligible?

• VCCS graduates with an AAS degree in Early Childhood Education 
• Students who want to become early childhood teachers in VA (PK-3)
• Students who need an online program
• Students who need the flexibility to attend full or part-time

Field Experiences

• Generally in a public school PK-3rd grade classroom
• Work experience in childcare settings may count for one of the field experience requirements
• Student teach the final semester in a public school PK-3rd grade classroom or a licensed and accredited preschool

Program Requirements

• About 60 credit hours at JMU plus your AAS degree will meet the 120 credit hours required for a bachelor's degree
• Synchronous program courses
• Passing scores on the following assessments are required for degree and licensure
  
  • Praxis Core Math or ALEKS Math Assessment
  • Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects: (5001; subtests 5002, 5003, 5004, 5005)
  • Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) 

Katie Shifflett
BIS Program Coordinator
shifflkr@jmu.edu
540.568.5836

Catalog Info

Transfer Student Page

Teacher Education Checklist

BIS Handbook

Program Highlights:

• Online, synchronous classes
• Designed for working paraprofessionals
• Completion leads to bachelor's degree & eligibility for VA licensure
• Cohort model - Fall start

Apply now!

For application instructions click here, or watch the video below.