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You're an individual. Your MEd program should be too.
The Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning (ASTL) Individualized concentration is developed in consultation with an advisor to offer coursework in a specialized area to meet your unique career interests and needs.
While the options are many, here are a few popular paths.
Provisionally Licensed?
Mason’s School of Education offers Professional Studies courses for teachers who have been hired by a school division and have been cited with required courses in one or more areas. Taken as non-degree, these courses (up to 12 credits) can be applied to your MEd in ASTL to fulfill concentration coursework. Taken as degree-seeking as part of your MEd program, up to 18 credits of professional studies courses can be applied to fulfill ASTL concentration coursework.
Graduate Certificates
Mason offers several certificates that can be pursued as part of your MEd program in ASTL to add additional credentials to your resume. Here are a few (certificates with an asterisk can be applied for VDOE add-on endorsement):
Dual Enrollment
There is a shortage of qualified high school teachers to teach dual enrollment courses. If you are interested in teaching dual enrollment courses, you can achieve your qualifying graduate coursework qualifications through your ASTL MEd. Eighteen credit hours of subject-specific coursework are needed to teach dual enrollment in Virginia. Make these subject-specific courses your ASTL concentration!
Unique and Varied Interests?
If your career interests combine multiple fields not addressed in the other four ASTL concentrations, the ASTL Individualized program could be just for you by allowing you to take courses from across the university and combine them with your education core. Music education and teacher leadership? History and peace building? In consultation with an advisor, design the program for you.
Check out the tabs below for more information and consult a program rep today for more information!
What Does an Individualized Concentration Mean?
This ASTL concentration allows students to create an individualized program of study that meets their specific professional goals. Students schedule an appointment to design a customized concentration with a program advisor.
The concentration consists of 12 credits of core courses and 18 credits of additional concentration courses chosen in consultation with an advisor. It also has a performance-based portfolio that serves as a program-exit requirement and showcases the student’s work.
Importantly, graduates earn the advantages of a master’s degree, including the possibility of increased pay and opportunities to be curriculum leaders in their schools.
ASTL: Individualized is an advanced program for educators who have already begun their teaching careers and who can draw on their classrooms as spaces for inquiry. The program is for teachers who are in their first years, middle years, or later career years. Educators will strengthen their pedagogical practices and reflective thinking skills to improve student engagement and learning for all students. This is not an initial licensure program.
Possibly! The program allows up to 12 graduate credits to be transferred from another accredited institution of higher education. Consultation with an ASTL advisor is necessary to determine if and what courses may be acceptable to a specific concentration. Substitutions cannot be made for the five core courses of the ASTL program (EDUC 612, EDUC 613, EDUC 614, EDUC 606, EDUC 615). Courses that are older than ten years or courses in which a grade lower than a B- was earned will not be accepted for transfer, even if the courses were taken at Mason.
Core Courses (12 credits)
Concentration Courses (18 credits)
Select 18 credits selected in consultation with advisor.
Total Credits: 30
Program Exit Requirement
Professional Development Portfolio: A performance-based assessment that provides concrete evidence of teacher professional development throughout the ASTL program. Students finalize and present their portfolios in their final spring semester.
- Includes both online and on-campus courses; 100% online possible dependent on the course offerings and selections
- On-campus courses are held in the evenings at Mason’s Fairfax campus
- Designed to be completed in approximately two years while working full-time as a teacher
- New students begin classes in May, August, and January (Summer, Fall, and Spring admissions)
Fall Semester
(classes starting in August) |
Spring Semester
(classes starting in January) |
Summer Semester
(classes starting in May, June, or July) |
Priority*: April 1
Space Available: August 18 |
Priority*: November 1
Space Available: January 10 |
Priority*: February 1
Space Available: May 15 |
For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.
* Priority deadline ensures consideration for the intended semester as well as financial aid options for students. Programs will continue to review applications until at capacity. Some programs do not review applications past the priority deadline.
All application materials must be submitted through George Mason’s online graduate application. In addition to meeting general university admissions requirements, applicants will need to provide the requirements below.
To be considered for graduate studies, the following items are evaluated during the admission review process:
- Graduate application and fee
- 750- to 1,000-word written statement of your goals and interest in the program
- Current resume
- Two letters of recommendation: Applicants should follow the instructions included in the online application to submit the recommendation forms directly to their recommenders. Mason does not accept paper recommendations. Recommendations should be professional or academic in nature.
- Transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the United States. Please refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions information page for specific requirements regarding uploading unofficial transcripts.
- Applicants with transcripts from institutions outside of the United States could have additional requirements. Please refer to the How To Apply page for specific requirements about submitting international transcripts, evaluations, and English language proficiency.
Admission to graduate programs at George Mason University is competitive. Applicants are evaluated on the strength of their academic backgrounds, results of standardized exams (if required by the program), work experience, and any additional evidence of potential success in the program. Faculty admissions review is a holistic review of requirements as well as the applicant’s potential academic and professional success upon completion of the program.
At a minimum all admitted students must have:
- An earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts. Expectation of an earned baccalaureate prior to the first day of classes for the term for which the student is applying will also meet this requirement. See the graduate admissions policy for more information.
- A minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in baccalaureate study. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply, addressing previous academic challenges and highlighting evidence for future success in their goal statement.
- International students should reference Admission of International Students for additional requirements.
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$748.50
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$948.50
(includes MSF*; discounted from $1,679.50) |
| VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program** |
$635.50
(includes MSF*) |
| CEHD Course Fee |
$25 - $84 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$773.50 - $832.50 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$979.50 - $1,038.50 |
| Total cost for VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program* |
$660.50 - $719.50 |
Graduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$60 |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50
**VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-16 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Eligible students receive 15% off the total tuition and mandatory student fee.
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.
Individualized Concentration: Academic Advisor
Dr. Nancy Holincheck
ASTL Academic Advisors guide students through their program of study. In the Individualized Concentration, you will work closely with your advisor to plan your course sequence. After admission, reach out to your advisor to plan your program of study and plan for your first course. Stay in touch with your advisor each semester to consult on your course selection and program progress.
Nancy Holincheck
Academic Program Coordinator
Stephanie Dodman