BSEd Early Childhood Special Education and Early/Primary Education PreK–3 (Dual Licensure)

In addition to completing program courses, students must complete state-mandated licensure exams and content area coursework prior to their internship application deadline. The most up-to-date information regarding exams can be found on the TeacherTrack@Mason website. Students need to initiate a content area review and meet with an endorsement advisor to discuss the remaining requirements. Instructions on the content area review process can be found here.

Some courses require field observation within a Northern Virginia regional school. If a course has a field experience requirement it will be noted in PatriotWeb. Our field experience office coordinates with our local schools to assign placements.

Early Childhood Education for Diverse Learners students engage in a semester-long internship experience off campus. This internship is a capstone experience. It is a full-time obligation in the last semester of the program. The program assists with the placement process. Internships will be either working directly with or on behalf of young children and their families.

Students must submit an internship application in the semester prior to internship. Please consult with the Early Childhood Education advisor and review the information on this page for more details.

Students completing this dual licensure program may pursue careers in the following areas:

• Licensed Prekindergarten Teacher
• Licensed Kindergarten Teacher
• Licensed 1st-3rd Grade Teacher
• Licensed Early Childhood Special Education (birth-age 5) teacher
• Early interventionist

• Students in the bachelor’s degree program may be eligible to apply for an accelerated master’s and complete an MEd within one year after finishing the bachelor’s degree.
• Students have the opportunity to engage with professional organizations to create connections, learn about advocacy opportunities, and stay informed about current trends and developments in the field. Our professional organizations include Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and Northern Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children (NVAEYC).

George Mason University will verify completion of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) state-approved preparation program at the graduate or undergraduate level. Such verification does not guarantee the issuance of a Virginia Collegiate Professional, Postgraduate Professional, or Pupil Personnel license from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is solely the student's responsibility to comply with all requirements for licensure by the Commonwealth. Under Virginia law, a social security number is required for licensure.

This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.