Inclusive Early Childhood Education

Empower Young Learners Through Inclusive Education

At George Mason University, our Inclusive Early Childhood Education programs prepare educators to teach, lead, and advocate for children of all abilities, backgrounds, and learning needs. Our inclusive and holistic approach emphasizes reflective learning and building collaborative classroom communities. Graduates are prepared to create equitable, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive learning environments where every child can thrive.

Mason's flexible learning paths—including undergraduate, graduate, certificate, PhD, and accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's (BAM) programs—accommodate working educators and career changers seeking to enter or advance in the field. Fieldwork in local schools, including the Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) system, creates meaningful connections between theory and practice and makes a lasting impact on children, families, and communities.

All programs align with Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) standards for Early/Primary Education (PreK-3) and Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-Age 5), providing clear, licensure-focused pathways. 

Financially, our Inclusive Early Childhood Education programs are both affordable and high-impact. In-state teachers benefit from a 15% tuition discount, and graduates of master's programs can see an average 10% salary increase, a tangible return on investment that opens doors to leadership roles in the future.

Join a university that blends purpose, reflective learning, and practice, and gain the expertise, credentials, and confidence to shape the future of early childhood education.

Why Choose George Mason CEHD

Flexible pathways for every educator. Choose from undergraduate, graduate, certificate, PhD, or accelerated BAM options. The Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program offers online, hybrid, and part-time formats to accommodate working teachers and career changers.
Virginia licensure alignment. Programs are VDOE-approved for Early/Primary Education PreK-3 and Early Childhood Special Education Birth-Age 5 licensure, providing direct routes to teaching certification.
Support for educators. We believe a teaching degree should be accessible. Benefit from a 15% tuition discount and access to numerous scholarship opportunities.
Faculty who lead by example. Learn from nationally recognized educators, policy advocates, and researchers who blend scholarship and classroom expertise. Faculty model the same inclusive and equitable teaching practices they instill in their students.
Professional partnerships that matter. Collaborate with organizations like DEC, NAEYC, and NVAEYC, joining a powerful network of educators and advocates.

What Sets Us Apart?

Inclusive, reflective learning. Inclusion isn't an add on. It's the foundation of every course at Mason. You'll engage in reflective learning practices that help you continuously improve instruction and foster a collaborative classroom community where every child belongs.
Hands-on field experience. All programs require a practicum and full-semester internship, providing direct, supervised teaching experience. Mason places more than 600 students annually across 14 school divisions, including FCPS, Virginia's largest district.
Explore research opportunities. Across our programs, faculty seek to engage students to participate in and conduct research that is shaping the future of inclusive early childhood education.
Proven regional leadership. Join us at Virginia's largest and most diverse public university, where over 50% of Northern Virginia's school administrators are CEHD graduates, leading classrooms, districts, and organizations that serve the broader community.