ADP students must complete required General Education courses as well as concentration-based courses. Depending on the particular courses you choose, you will earn one of three degrees:

1. Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS)

To earn a Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS), you must complete the following course
requirements:

• Complete IS 200: Orientation to Individualized Study (3 credits)
• General Education:
  • Madison Foundations                       (9 credit hours)
  • Arts and Humanities                         (9 credit hours)
  • The Natural World                            (10 credit hours)
  • American and Global Perspectives   (7 credit hours)
  • Sociocultural and Wellness Area      (6 credit hours)

You can learn more about JMU’s general education requirements here.

• Individualized Study Concentration: The concentration consists of courses from two or more areas of study offered by JMU. For example, a combination of courses from the Professional Workplace Communication track and the Business & Information Technology track could be used to form a concentration. The concentration must be a minimum of 30 credits, with at least 24 credits being taken at the 300-level or higher.  It must also include an experiential learning component. This may include a work-based learning portfolio of prior experience (IS 206), new sponsored learning project (IS 300), study abroad, practicum, or additional research (6 credits of IS 498). Included in the concentration is the required capstone experience, IS 498: Senior Research Project (3 or 6 credits).
• Electives: You’ll need 120 total credits to graduate, including transfer credits and credits earned at James Madison. You may take additional electives to reach the 120 credits. Students are required to earn 60 credits from a 4 year college or university; 30 of the 60 credits must come from JMU.
• Complete IS 498: Senior Research Project (3 or 6 credits) 

2. Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Study (BA in IS)

To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Study (BA in IS), you must complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Individualized Study and the following additional credits:

• Philosophy (3 credits) and Foreign Language (6 credits of 200-level or higher)

3. Bachelor of Science in Individualized Study (BS in IS)

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Individualized Study (BS in IS), you must complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Individualized Study and the following additional credits:

• Natural Science (3 credits) and Mathematics (3 credits)