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:
  • Skills for the 21st Century (3 courses)
  • Arts and Humanities (3 courses)
  • The Natural World (3-4 courses)
  • Social and Cultural Processes (2 courses)
  • Individuals in the Human Community (2 courses)

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.
• 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. 
• 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)