Elementary Education Bachelor's of Individualized Study

Elementary Education

The Bachelor's of Individualized Study with a concentration in elementary education is designed for students who have earned their transferable associate's degree and are working as instructional assistants. Completers of this program earn a bachelor's degree and are eligible for a Virginia teaching license in PK- 6 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?

Students with a transferable associate degree from a VCCS college.
- A transferrable associate degree from any VCCS institution will provide the smoothest transition to BIS coursework.
- Students accepted into the program without a transferable associate degree may have to complete general education requirements not transferred into JMU. Therefore, it is important to know that a student may have to take more courses in addition to their program courses.
Students who have completed a minimum of 30 transferable college credits.
Students who want to become elementary teachers in VA (PK-6).
Students who need an online program and are working as instructional assistants in PK-6 schools.

Field Experiences

Generally in a public school PK-6 grade classroom.
Student teach toward the end of the program in a public school PK-6 grade classroom.

Program Requirements

About 60 credit hours at JMU plus your transferrable associate's degree (or approved credit) 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)