Elementary Education

Learn by Doing From Day One

Earn a Master's or Bachelor's in Elementary Education at George Mason University

Prepare to lead the 21st-century classroom at George Mason's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). Our Elementary Education program is designed for aspiring educators and career-changers who are driven to become reflective, responsive teachers. Our philosophy is simple: you learn by doing from day one. Unlike traditional programs that save fieldwork for last, we immerse you in real PK-6 classroom settings from the very beginning, allowing you to explicitly connect pedagogical theory to practice throughout your journey.

This immediate, hands-on experience is the foundation for our BSEd in Elementary Education for undergraduates and our MEd in Elementary Education for graduate students. Both pathways are inquiry-driven, aligned with the Virginia Department of Education standards, and lead directly to your initial PK-6 teaching licensure. You will graduate not just with a degree, but with the confidence and proven, research-based strategies to meet the diverse needs of your future students.

Why Choose George Mason CEHD

Classroom-ready graduates. Become a reflective, responsive teacher who is fully prepared to advance the modern, 21st-century classroom.
A clear path to licensure. Follow a state-approved pathway to earn your initial Virginia PK-6 teaching licensure upon graduation.
Dual-mentor support. Learn from exemplary mentor teachers and dedicated George Mason faculty who work in unison to support your professional growth.
Built-in professional network. Build a strong community and lasting peer network by progressing through the program in a structured cohort model.
Flexible pathways for every educator. Choose from undergraduate, graduate, or accelerated BAM options. The Elementary Education Program offers multiple start terms (fall, spring, and summer), with most classes in-person to support face-to-face instruction. Select courses may also be available in flexible, hybrid formats to better fit your life.

What Sets Us Apart?

Award-winning PDS model. Our program is built on an award-winning Professional Development School (PDS) model, a three-time winner of the National Professional Development Schools Exemplary Program Award.
Full-program immersion. You are immersed in a PK-6 classroom throughout your program, not just in a final internship or practicum, allowing you to immediately apply what you learn and reflect on your experiences during coursework.
Deep district integration. We are deeply integrated with our PDS partner schools in Northern Virginia's premier districts including Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, and Manassas, ensuring you learn in real-world, supportive environments.
Inquiry-driven curriculum. Our curriculum grounds your teaching in proven, research-based pedagogical practices that are responsive to diverse student needs.
Global education perspective. We offer a unique opportunity to expand your global perspective on education through an optional study abroad experience in Cambridge, England.