PDS Year Long Internship Cohort

Being a teacher is all about effective communication, verbal and nonverbal. If you are a creative communicator, being an elementary school teacher is a rewarding outlet.

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) Year Long Internship Cohort

Semester Start: Begins every spring

Application Deadline: October 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 (30-45 field hours per semester, except during internship semesters). These are to be completed in 10 three-hour blocks across the semester.

PDS Year Long Internship Cohort Sample Sequence

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

Spring Term (late afternoon/evening classes)

• ELED 542: Foundations of Elementary Education (3 credit hours)
• ELED 543: Children, Family, Culture, and Schools, ages 4-12 Years (3 credit hours)

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

Summer Term (day and/or evening classes)

• ELED 545: Differentiating Elementary Methods and Management (3 credit hours)
• ELED 555: Literacy Teaching and Learning in Diverse Elementary Classrooms I (3 credit hours)

• ELED 554: Methods of Teaching Social Studies and Integrating Fine Arts in the Elementary Classroom (3 credit hours)

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

• ELED 790: Internship in Elementary Education (1 - 6 credit hours) (Must register for 3 credits)

• ELED 552: Mathematics Methods for the Elementary Classroom (3 credit hours)
• ELED 553: Science Methods for the Elementary Classroom (3 credit hours)
• ELED 556: Literacy Teaching and Learning in Diverse Elementary Classrooms II (3 credit hours)

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

• ELED 790: Internship in Elementary Education (1 - 6 credit hours) (Must register for 6 credits)

• ELED 559: Research and Assessment in Elementary Education (1 credit hour)