A master’s degree in inclusive early childhood special education provides students with specialized knowledge for working with ability diverse young children and their families. This degree prepares graduates to work with children (birth through age five) in early intervention and early childhood special education contexts.
By working with young children and their families, inclusive early childhood education graduates create pathways to success for children in the earliest years of their education. Students acquire specialized skills to support children with diverse abilities and from various racial, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
This is an ideal program for students who want to teach in early childhood special education classrooms or work as early interventionists. Graduates of this concentration are eligible to apply for a Virginia teaching license for Early Childhood Special Education, Birth-Age 5.
Students completing this licensure program may pursue careers in the following areas:
- Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
- Early Interventionist
If you are currently working within Early Childhood Special Education in a Northern Virginia school system, our Cohort Program might be right for you. Please see more information 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 students engage in an off-campus, semester-long internship experience in accordance with VDOE licensure parameters. Internships can be completed on the job with program approval. This internship is a capstone experience and is a full-time obligation. The program assists with the placement process.
Students must submit an internship application in the semester prior to the internship. Please consult with the Early Childhood Education advisor and review the information on this page for more details.
In addition to completing program courses, students must complete mandated state required 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 Licensure Testing Requirements page.
Students who have completed the university VDOE-approved program must meet all requirements for their licensure program, including internships and test requirements, prior to submitting for teacher licensure in Virginia. Once requirements for licensure have been met (e.g., grades posted for all classes, waivers submitted if applicable, tests completed, etc.), students may apply. Graduate students do not have to wait until conferral of their degree. Students seeking VDOE licensure may submit for licensure either by submitting all VDOE required documentation through Mason or by obtaining a college verification form from Mason and submitting through their school division.
Students are encouraged to check their records when they are approximately 6 weeks away from completion of their final coursework to avoid delays in processing licensure paperwork. Any concerns about academic records should be directed to the Program Advisor, Kayla Turner, as soon as possible. This provides necessary time for adjustments to be entered on your record before the licensure specialist completes your paperwork.
College Verification Form
There are 3 options that the Mason licensure specialist can check on the college verification form:
- Option 1: Completed state approved program — This is the ideal route to licensure and the only route recommended by Mason. Program requirements are pre-approved by VDOE to cover licensure competencies. This option is available to students who complete either the MEd in Inclusive Early Childhood Education with Early/Primary PK3 Licensure Concentration, Early Childhood Special Education Concentration, or a Graduate Licensure Certificate. All program requirements including internships and program test requirements (e.g, VCLA) must be met.
- Option 2: "No – all but internships" — Graduate students with teaching experience in the public schools, for example in teaching general education or teaching as a provisionally licensed special education teacher, who complete all components of the licensure certificate program including program test requirements (e.g, VCLA) can receive a college verification form stating that while the program was not complete, all requirements for the licensure program other than internship were met. School divisions must verify teaching experience. Transcripts are then reviewed by VDOE to determine if the licensure requirements, including the requirement for supervised classroom experience, have been met. This option does NOT guarantee licensure and it is possible students will need coursework outside of their program to meet state licensure requirements. This route is not recommended by Mason.
- Option 3: No, has not completed a state approved program — Students who do not complete a licensure program at the university can submit transcripts to VDOE and request a review to determine which licensure competencies were met with the courses completed. This option does NOT guarantee licensure and it is likely students will need coursework outside of their program to meet state licensure requirements. Mason recommends all students pursuing licensure do so by completion of a pre-approved university program as noted in Option 1.
Licensure Outside of Virginia
Licensure requirements are state-specific. If you intend to seek licensure outside of Virginia, begin by consulting with the Department of Education of the state. You may also want to review the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement Facilitating Mobility of Educational Personnel. If a form is required by the state indicating your completion of a licensure program, or status in a licensure program, submit the form to the CEHD Licensure Specialist.
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 George 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.
Core Coursework
Credits: 12
Concentration in Early Childhood Special Education (licensure)
Credits: 21
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 15 |
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.
Your Academic Advisor is Kayla Turner
Email Address: kturne4@gmu.edu
Phone Number: 703-993-4242
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30-5:00
Office Location: Fairfax Campus, Thompson Hall, Suite 1200
Schedule an appointment
Virginia Testing Resources
Bweikia Steen
Academic Program Coordinator (Undergraduate)
Colleen Vesely
Academic Program Coordinator (Graduate)
Daniel Ferguson
Carley Fisher-Maltese
Erin Geiger
Leslie La Croix
Heather Walter
Deborah Stone