The Bachelor's of Individualized Study with a concentaration in Special 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 both K-12 Special Education endorsement areas (adapted and general).

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 special education teachers in VA (K-12).
• Students who need an online program and are working as instructional assistants in SPED K-12
  classrooms.

Field Experiences

• Generally in a public school K-12 grade classroom.
• Student teach across two semesters in a public school K-12 grade classroom.
• One placement must be in a SPED general curriculum classroom and one placement in a SPED adapted curriculum classroom.
• One placement must be in an elementary school classroom and one placement must be in a middle/high school 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 Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205)

Apply now!

Program Highlights:

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

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