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This master's degree program provides a robust, well-rounded curriculum that includes general and content-specific teaching methods courses and leads to initial licensure in elementary education.
Strong partnerships with local elementary schools ensure that teacher candidates are immersed in classroom settings with elementary students throughout the program. Graduates will be able to recognize and adapt to students’ needs, interests, and readiness levels through innovative, research-based pedagogical practices.
- Graduates of this program earn their initial teaching license upon graduation, enabling them to teach grades PK–6 in the state of Virginia.
- Graduates gain hands-on experience and make a difference through Mason’s local partner schools.
- The Mason Elementary PDS Network is comprised of elementary schools in Fairfax County, Prince William County, Loudoun County, Arlington County, and Manassas Park. In a PDS partnership, the elementary school and the teacher preparation program take joint responsibility for:
- teacher preparation
- faculty development
- enhanced student learning
- inquiry directed at the improvement of practice
Students in this program progress through the graduate curriculum as a cohort, completing the ELED courses in a specific sequence. Students have the option of starting in the fall, spring, or summer semester. If enrollment numbers permit, we offer both a daytime and an evening cohort option for fall admits. This Cohort Comparison Chart shows the sequencing of courses for the three different cohort start terms.
The majority of the ELED courses will meet once per week on Mason’s Fairfax campus or will be blended with a mix of on-campus and online instruction. Occasionally, a class may be scheduled to take place in one of our PDS Network schools. Courses will require 15 hours of observation in the field, enabling students to be immersed in a classroom setting throughout their time in the program. Students will be assigned to a specific school and classroom teacher in our PDS Network for completion of these field hours.
Elementary education students engage in a year-long (YL) or semester-long (SL) traditional internship experience (student teaching). Students who do the SL internship must complete an additional 3-credit elective to earn the required 39 credits to graduate. Just like with field work, internship placements are made by the program in a PDS Network school.
On rare occasions, a student will obtain a job as a lead teacher prior to finishing the program. In this case, a student would complete a semester-long, on-the-job (OTJ) internship in lieu of traditional student teaching.
To be approved for a traditional or on-the-job internship, students must apply and meet all requirements by the deadlines set by the Office of Teacher Preparation. Requirements include:
- Official, passing scores on the required licensure exams (Praxis Teaching Reading and Praxis Elementary Education Multiple Subjects Exam)
- CPR/AED/First Aid certificate (an in-person skills component is required)
- Completion of all Content Area coursework
Visit the Office of Teacher Preparation for information about the internship application, for Content Area coursework information, and for a list of resources for preparing for the exams and completing the CPR/AED/First Aid training.
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.
Select one course from the following:
Content Area Requirements for Virginia Licensure
There may be additional coursework that is required for this licensure pathway. In addition to the required courses listed above, this degree pathway leading to licensure, requires coursework in the following areas:
- English composition
- Literature (preferably children’s lit)
- Survey of US history
- Survey of world history
- One geography, US government, or economics course
- VDOE’s Civics Module: https://www.civiceducationva.org/
- Two science courses each with a lab (from different disciplines)
- Two math courses
*Many of these requirements may be satisfied by Mason Core classes, undergraduate coursework, or any coursework you may have previously completed. Please visit the Content Area Review website. All endorsement requirements are listed on Content Area Review (CAR) Forms also found on this site. A CAR review must be completed upon applying and/or enrolling in this licensure program. Please use the Content Area Review website link above to initiate this process.
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 18 |
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.
You should meet with your academic advisor at least once per semester to ensure that you are on track to complete your program successfully. Your advisor can do more than simply help you understand your program requirements; she can connect you to university resources that can aid in your success and can help you find ways to become engaged in learning outside of the classroom.
Elementary Education Academic Advisor
Valerie Bartush
Thompson Hall, Suite 1400
vbartush@gmu.edu
703.993.3931
Prepare for your Appointment
To make the most of your time with your advisor, please prepare for your appointment ahead of time. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Plan ahead: Schedule your appointment prior to your registration time ticket so you have a plan ready and know which courses you should take next when it’s time to register.
- Make a list of questions: Review your degree evaluation in Patriot Web and look at the 4-year plan for your major. If you've met with your advisor once, you should have a personalized completion plan that you are expected to save, review and reference. Write down any questions you have before coming to the appointment.
- Be informed: Students who've been admitted into a cohort should review program information that's available in the ELED Blackboard organization site. If you are interested in doing anything outside of the ordinary (e.g. taking a class somewhere other than Mason, withdrawing from a class, repeating a course, adding a minor), please review academic policies. The best source for policy information is the University Catalog. CEHD has also created both an undergraduate and a graduate policy page that contains some of the policies most frequently encountered by students.
Schedule an Appointment
Elementary Education advising is available both in-person and virtually. To schedule an advising appointment, please use the Navigate Mason scheduling system. Click here to access the ELED advisor's calendar in Navigate.
- Follow the prompts and select the type of advising service you want.
- Select the date and time that works for you.
- You will receive an email confirmation. If the appointment is virtual, you'll receive a calendar invitation with the zoom link prior to the appointment.
Policies and Procedures
Study Abroad in Cambridge
Elementary Education Program Student Ambassadors
These student leaders assist with university and college recruitment events and plan professional development and social events for their peers in the program.
Links and Resources from the Office of Teacher Preparation:
School of Education
4400 University Drive, MS 4B3
Thompson Hall, 1800
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Phone: (703) 993-3696
Fax: (703) 993-2013
Audra Parker
Academic Program Coordinator
Courtney Baker
Mandy Bean
Stephanie Dodman
Andrew Gilbert
Lois Groth
Jennifer Hathaway
Betsy Levine-Brown
Allison Parsons
Seth Parsons
Debra Sprague
Jennifer Suh
Theresa Wills