PDS Semester Long Internship Cohort

If you like kids, elementary school is a great place to interact with them. You can shape their minds, create innovative ways for them to learn, and help them grow to their fullest potential.

The M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education Concentration Program provides professionals with the specialized knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to meet the educational needs of students attending today's elementary schools. The program includes Pre-Kindergarten-6th grade initial licensure and is situated Professional Development Schools (PDS) in the Mason Elementary Education PDS Network. Our PDS supports an inquiry stance and fosters critical thinking and problem-solving among elementary students, parents, in-service teachers, school/division administrators, pre-service teachers, and university/school faculty in the 21st century. This 39 credit hour program is aligned with the college’s five core values of collaboration, ethical leadership, innovation, research-based practice, and social justice. Students may choose from two routes with start dates in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. All programs are sequenced and follow a cohort model.

Professional Development Schools (PDS) Semester Long Internship Cohort

Semester Start: Begins every summer

Application Deadline: April 1st

Initial Licensure and MEd Program: 39 credits

Field Experiences - Almost all course work has associated field experience hours that must be completed during the school day in a George Mason partnership school (15-30 field hours per semester, except during internship semesters). These are to be completed in 10 three-hour blocks across the semester.

PDS Semester Long Internship Cohort Sample Sequence

Below is an example of a sample course sequence for the Semester Long Internship Cohort. Please see handbook provided at program orientation for your official course sequence and program of study.

Summer Term (day/evening classes)

• ELED 542: Foundations of Elementary Education (3 credits)

• ELED 543: Children, Family, Culture, and Schools, ages 4-12 Years (3 credits)

Fall Term (late afternoon or evening classes)

• ELED 555: Literacy Teaching and Learning in Diverse Elementary Classrooms I (3 credits)

• ELED 544: Introduction to Elementary Methods and Management (3 credits)

Spring Term (late afternoon or evening classes)

• ELED 556: Literacy Teaching and Learning in Diverse Elementary Classrooms II (3 credits)

• ELED 552: Mathematics Methods for the Elementary Classroom (3 credits)

Summer Term (day/evening classes)

• ELED 545: Differentiating Elementary Methods and Management (3 credits)
• ELED 554: Methods of Teaching Social Studies and Integrating Fine Arts in the Elementary Classroom (3 credits)

Fall Term (late afternoon or evening classes)

• ELED 553: Science Methods for the Elementary Classroom (3 credits)
• Elective* (see below)

Spring Term (five days a week/classes and internship work)

• ELED 790: Internship in Elementary Education (6 credits)

• ELED 559: Research and Assessment in Elementary Education (Must register for 3 credits )

*Electives

Select 3 additional credits of EDCI 790 or one course from the following:

• EDSE 501: Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)

• EDUC 537: Introduction to Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners (3 credits)

• ELED 790: Internship in Elementary Education (1 credit) (Study abroad in Cambridge. Must register for 3 credits)