Individualized Study, B.A., B.I.S., B.S.

Program Requirements

Students must complete:

• IS 200. Individualized Study Major Program Development  
• A minimum of 120 credit hours, including 41 General Education credits
• A minimum of 30 credit hours earned from JMU
• At least 60 credit hours earned from a four-year institution
• IS 498. Individualized Study Project , an online interdisciplinary research course with a capstone project coordinated by the instructor and includes a final written and oral presentation; minimum grade of “C” required
• IS 206. Researching, Writing and Documenting Prior Learning  (required for students pursuing credit for prior learning experience only)

Additional requirements:

• A program of study (POS) for meeting the requirements of degree completion must be submitted to the ADP office for approval while enrolled in the IS 200  course.
• A student’s concentration, or field of study, consists of a minimum of 30 credits, at least 24 of which must be upper-division credit (300- and 400-level courses). The concentration includes classes from two or more academic disciplines and represent a coherent body of knowledge, which may require course work beyond the 30 minimum credit hours.
• No more than 30 credit hours of course work can be selected from courses taught by the College of Business . This 30 credit hour limit includes COB  courses transferred from other colleges and nontraditional credit earned in the COB.  
• The concentration must be completed with a GPA of 2.0 or better.
• A minimum of 15 credit hours in the concentration must be JMU credits. 
• Students must participate in assessment activities used to measure student learning outcomes and modify curriculum.
• There is no residency requirement; however, program agreements that extend beyond six years may need to be amended if university policies change that affect the original program of study.

Program of Study

The Bachelor of Individualized Studies (B.I.S.) requires each student works with the ADP academic adviser to create an individual program of study (POS) that includes a minimum of 41 General Education credits  .

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Individualized Studies requires 41 General Education credits , an additional scientific literacy course (3.00 credit hours) and an additional quantitative course (3.00 credit hours).

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Individualized Studies requires 41 General Education credits , an additional philosophy course (3.00 credit hours) and foreign language at the intermediate level (6.00 credit hours).

Individualized Studies Major Concentration

This is the focus area of study in the Individualized Studies degree. The concentration is interdisciplinary and comprised of classes from two or more academic program areas to meet each student’s educational and/or professional goals.

• Minimum of 30 credits.
• 24 credits must be completed in 300- or 400-level courses.
• IS 498. Individualized Study Project  – online interdisciplinary research course with a capstone project, included in the 24 upper-level course requirements.

Mechanisms for Earning Credit

The number of credits, which may be accepted as transfer credit or earned through the following methods, is determined by the student’s approved POS. It is reasonable to expect that the unique educational needs, background and personal circumstances of each student will determine to a great extent the manner in which credit has been and will be earned.

• Transfer credit awarded by the Registrar’s Office.
• Credit by departmental examination.
• Credit for approved sponsored learning or independent studies.
• Regular course work.
• Credit for experiential learning through portfolio of prior learning assessment (PLA).*
  
• Credit for educational programs of the Armed Forces (JST).
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP).*
• American Council on Education College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE).*

*No more than 30 non-traditional credits can be counted towards the degree requirements of 120 credit hours which includes PLA, JST, CLEP and ACE.

Prior Learning Assessment

Prior learning assessment (PLA) is an assessment of knowledge and skills acquired prior to or outside of enrollment in higher education for the purpose of earning college level credit. The term portfolio is used to describe a collection of evidence to support the PLA process. Through the portfolio, a student makes a case by succinctly identifying, articulating and documenting mastery of college level learning or its equivalence.

PLA is an option for a student who has gained significant learning through experiences including, but not limited to: workplace training, volunteer service, civic activities, conferences, workshops, vocational interests, travel and independent reading.

PLA is not an option for everyone. The process entails extensive preparation, excellent academic writing skills, and the ability to meet deadlines. Before a portfolio is submitted for approval, students must complete IS 206. Researching, Writing and Documenting Prior Learning . There is no guarantee that a portfolio submitted for credit will be approved.

PLA must be a part of a students’ approved POS and does not count towards credit at the four-year institution level or as JMU credit. PLA credit is not transferable to a traditional degree program at JMU.

College Credit Recommendation Service

ADP accepts some but not all credits as recommended in the National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs and the Guide to Educational Credit by Examination prepared by the American Council on Education. Additional information on program policies and procedures specific to JST is available through the ADP website.

College-Level Examination Program

Students enrolled in the ADP at JMU may participate in the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) under certain circumstances and with permission of the Director. CLEP is a national program of credit by examination that offers students an opportunity to obtain recognition for achievement in specific college courses. In the ADP, CLEP testing must be a part of a student’s approved POS. CLEP credits do not count toward credit at the four-year institution level, toward the 30 credits required from JMU, toward General Education requirements or toward B.A./B.S. degree requirements.

Interested individuals may schedule a CLEP test by directly contacting the Adult Degree Program office.

Credit/No-Credit

Students enrolled in the ADP may complete courses on a credit/no-credit basis if they have completed 28 credit hours of college level course work and have a 2.25 cumulative GPA.

Courses in the area of concentration, including the senior capstone research course, may not be taken on a credit/no-credit basis. Other provisions of the credit/no-credit option, as described in this catalog, will also be in effect.

Online Interdisciplinary Tracks

Online interdisciplinary tracks were developed in cooperation with various academic units at the university. Students can use these tracks when developing their concentration.

• Business and Information Technology
  
• Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship
  
• Human Resource Development and Management
  
• Professional Workplace Communication
• Healthcare Leadership
• Child Development
• Family and Consumer Sciences
  
• Early Childhood Education 2+2 with teacher licensure
• Elementary Education with teacher licensure

Education, Early Childhood Education Development, A.A.S. to B.I.S. ECED 2+2

This fully online program is for students who have completed an A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood from a Virginia Community College. It leads to licensure in grades PK-3 and a Bachelor of Individualized Study degree with a concentration in Early Childhood from JMU.

60 credits must be earned at a 4-year institution and 30 of those must be earned at JMU.

All students must attend an orientation meeting at JMU the semester or summer prior to starting the program. This orientation will be offered online. Program offers free tutoring for Praxis Math Core and Praxis subject exam, VCLA and RVE. 

Practicum courses are to extend through the full semester and are one full day a week.

Student Teaching is 10 weeks with the possibility of teaching in your own classroom.

Elementary Education

This fully online program is for students who are working as instructional assistants in schools and have 60 credits and/or have completed an associates degree. It leads to licensure in grades PK-6 and a Bachelor of Individualized Study degree with a concentration in Elementary Education from JMU. 

60 credits must be earned at a 4-year institution and 30 of those must be earned at JMU.

All students must attend an orientation meeting prior to starting the program. Program offers free tutoring for the Praxis Math Core exam, VCLA, Praxis Subject and RVE.