Skip top navigation
School of Education - George Mason University

Upcoming Infosession

Pair stronger pedagogy with expanded content knowledge in history and the social sciences to bring exciting, thought-provoking curriculum to your students and school.

Mason’s Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning (ASTL) concentration in history / social science is a concentration designed for educators at all grade levels who seek to strengthen their professional teaching practices while also deepening and broadening their content knowledge in history and the social sciences.

Our students aspire to grow their own students’ love of learning in the social sciences and focus on areas such as history, geography, anthropology, and sociology.

Where This Degree Will Take You

  • Grow your career with the advantages of a master’s degree, including the possibility of increased pay and the opportunity to be a curriculum leader in your school.
  • With careful planning, this degree concentration could prepare you to teach dual-enrollment courses in history / social science subjects.
  • Become a researcher in your classroom, transforming your teaching—learn not only how to use research but also how to generate it.
  • Aligned with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the courses help teachers think and practice with the same level of reflection and skill as Board-certified educators (a great next step after graduating!).

Who Should Apply?

Educators holding a bachelor's degree with or without a master's degree may apply for the full master's degree program, which includes 12 credits of core education courses and 18 credits of history/social science courses chosen with support from a Mason advisor. This is not an initial licensure program.

Can I Use Graduate Credits from Other Universities to Reduce my Course Load?

Possibly! University policy allows for up to 12 credits (depending on the program) that have not been previously used to complete a degree to be transferred from another accredited graduate program. Consultation with an ASTL advisor is necessary to determine if and which courses may be acceptable to a specific concentration. The literacy: K-12 reading specialist concentration does not allow for substitutions. Substitutions cannot be made for the five core courses of the ASTL program (EDUC 612, EDUC 613, EDUC 614, EDUC 606, EDUC 615). Course work that is older than six years will not be accepted, even if the courses were taken at Mason.