The Bachelor's of Individualized Study with a concentration in Inclusive Early Childhood 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 Early Childhood (grades PK-3) and Early Childhood Special Education (birth to age 5).

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 work in Early Intervention, Early Childhood Special Education, or PK-3 General Education.
• Students who need an online program and are working as instructional assistants in PK-3 schools.

Field Experiences

• Typically in a public school PK-3 inclusive classroom.
• Student teach in a public school for eight weeks in an Early Childhood Special Education classroom (or Early Intervention) and eight weeks in a K-3 general education 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
  
  • ALEKS Math Assessment at JMU
  • Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects: (5001; subtests 5002, 5003, 5004, 5005)
  • Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) 

Apply now!

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