Practicum/Internship Application and Info

Application Types:

The practicum/internship application linked on this webpage supports two types of submissions:

1. Traditional Practicum/Internship:
   For candidates whose program arranges a placement with a qualified mentor teacher and university supervisor in a school setting. This option also applies to Clinical Mental Health Counseling students who secure their own placements.
2. On-the-Job (OTJ) Internship:
   For teacher candidates employed full-time as the teacher of record in a public school. Mason does not assist in obtaining these positions. OTJ candidates typically hold a provisional license that meets the hiring district’s and VDOE’s requirements. In some cases, Special Education and Early Childhood programs may approve instructional assistants for OTJ internships, subject to program and school district discretion. Students should consult with their academic advisor for guidance.

Application Steps:

1. Review and Update Your Content Area Review (CAR), if applicable:
   • Log into your CAR account: CAR Login
   • If your CAR is marked "complete," no further action is needed.
   • If not, email endorse@gmu.edu and include any relevant unofficial transcripts.
   • Note: CAR is not required for students in the following programs: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Health and Physical Education, or any Special Education endorsement area (General, Adapted, BVI, Early Childhood).
   • Submit your online application by the posted deadline.
   • Read through the “After Submitting Your Completed Practicum/Internship Application” section for next steps.

Please note: Candidates are not permitted to contact a school, principal, or teacher directly in order to arrange their own placement. Failure to follow this policy can negatively affect a teacher candidate’s ability to be placed.

If you believe you need ADA accommodations during your placement, please contact Mason’s Disability Services office (DS) as soon as possible, as this process takes time and you do not want your practicum/internship delayed. Specific accommodations for practicum/internships may be different than academic accommodations; however, like academic accommodations, they are not retroactive. Connecting with DS is a student-initiated interactive process. DS will collaborate with the department and possibly the placement site to provide reasonable accommodations that are individualized and based on documentation, functional limitations, and a collaborative assessment of needs. For more information, please refer to the Disability Services website.

For All Programs

• Licensure Testing Requirements
  Follow your academic program’s guidelines regarding which licensure exams are required by the application deadline. Be sure to designate George Mason University as a score recipient when you register for your exams.

• Hands-On CPR/AED/First Aid Training
  While this requirement is not due at the time of your application, it must be completed prior to graduation and this is a university graduation requirement.
  Note: This requirement does not apply to students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, or non-licensure programs.
  • If you have already completed this training, please email internsh@gmu.edu. The Clinical Practice Coordinator will record the information in the university system, and it will be marked as “complete” in your Stellic account.
  • If you hold a provisional, collegiate, or postgraduate professional license, you are exempt from this training requirement, as it was satisfied as part of your licensure process. Please email internsh@gmu.edu with your G# to confirm, and your record will be updated accordingly.
• Content Area Review (CAR), if applicable:
  If your program requires a CAR, ensure that it is marked “complete.” You may need to contact endorse@gmu.edu to request an update or to submit supporting documentation.
• For On-the-Job Applicants only:
  Email a completed OTJ Review Form to internsh@gmu.edu. The completed form is due at least two weeks prior to the start of internship. Please submit sooner if possible. Your application is not complete or approve until a completed OTJ Review Form is received.

*If you are missing any of the required tests needed for your internship, or if your Content Area Review (CAR) is not marked “complete”, your program may grant you additional time to complete the missing requirements. Please make sure to note any outstanding items in your application. For a Fall internship, you will have until 8/1 and for a Spring internship, you will have until 12/1 to complete any remaining requirements.

Program Specific Forms

• Special Education, BSED Non-Licensure Students Only: BSED Non-Licensure Internship Interest Inventory

Note: If you are a non-licensure student, or enrolled in one of the following programs—Special Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Health and Physical Education, School Counseling, or Clinical Mental Health Counseling—you are not required to complete a Content Area Review. Please disregard the instructions below.

For all other students:

1. Collaborate with the Office of Teacher Preparation (OTP) to ensure your Content Area Review (CAR) is marked “complete.” (click here for directions).
2. All content area coursework must be completed, and all unofficial transcripts must be submitted and approved by OTP prior to your internship application deadline.
3. It is strongly recommended that you submit your CAR update request and supporting documentation several weeks in advance of submitting your internship application to avoid delays.
4. For questions or assistance with your CAR, please contact endorse@gmu.edu.

1. Complete and submit your online application by the posted deadline.
2. Use the following link to submit your application for both Traditional and On-the-Job (OTJ): Practicum/Internship Application Form
3. After submission, you should receive an email confirmation within one hour.
   • If you do not receive a confirmation email, please check your spam/junk folder.
   • If it is still not received, contact internsh@gmu.edu to confirm that your application was successfully submitted.

Important – Arlington County Public Schools (APS) Applicants:
If you intend to complete your practicum/internship in Arlington County Public Schools, you must submit the APS application in addition to the George Mason practicum/internship application. APS applications must be submitted by the same deadline noted above.

• To request the APS application, email internsh@gmu.edu as soon as possible and indicate that APS is your first-choice district.
• The Clinical Practice Coordinator will send you the required APS application form.
• Please note: submitting the APS application does not guarantee placement within Arlington County.

After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation within one hour. Please check your Mason inbox and junk/spam folder. If you do not receive a confirmation, contact the Clinical Practice Coordinator at internsh@gmu.edu to verify receipt.

Next Steps for Traditional Applicants

Students pursuing a traditional placement must complete the following steps:

1. Email Communication from the Clinical Practice Coordinator - Within 2–4 weeks after the application deadline, you will receive either an update or follow-up questions via your Mason email. Be sure to check your inbox and junk/spam folders regularly.
2. Instructions for Approved Applicants - If your application is approved, you will receive next steps for completing fingerprinting and background check requirements with the school division where you will be placed.
3. Complete All School Division Requirements - You may be asked to submit an additional school district-specific practicum/internship application.
   • Fingerprinting and background checks must be completed through the school division’s Human Resources office—not George Mason University.
   • Important: When completing background paperwork, you must disclose all prior incidents, regardless of severity or date. Failure to do so—even if the event did not result in a conviction—may result in denial or removal from your practicum/internship placement.
4. Monitor Your Mason Email for Placement Updates - All placement details and onboarding instructions will be sent to your Mason email address.
   You must complete all school division requirements before receiving your official placement.
5. Register for Your Practicum/Internship Course(s) and Attend Orientation - Contact your academic advisor for questions regarding registration.
   • Orientation details, including the date and format, will be provided by your program several weeks before the practicum/internship begins.
   • Dates and Calendar - Practicum/internship dates may begin before the official start of the Mason semester.
   • You are required to follow your placement school’s calendar, including their spring break and professional development schedule.
   • Fall practicum/internship students typically report early to participate in school orientation and pre-service training.
6. Commit to Full-Time Participation - You are expected to follow your mentor teacher’s full daily schedule.
   • Attendance at required before- or after-school activities may also be necessary.
   • Internships are a full-time commitment—please plan accordingly.

For Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Post-Master’s LPC Candidates Only

Students in these programs must secure their own practicum/internship placement at a community-based site.

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) does not arrange placements for these programs. If you need support in locating a site, please contact your faculty advisor.

Changing from Traditional to On-the-Job (OTJ) Internship

If you initially applied for a traditional placement but are later hired as a full-time teacher of record in a qualifying position and wish to switch to an OTJ internship:

• Your position and school must meet all criteria outlined in the OTJ Review Form.
  Note: Not all programs offer the OTJ option. Please confirm with your academic advisor.
• You must contact the Clinical Practice Coordinator at internsh@gmu.edu at least two weeks before the start of your internship to request a change in placement type.
• You will be required to:
  • Re-submit the internship application as an OTJ applicant, and
  • Email a fully completed OTJ Review Form to the Clinical Practice Coordinator.

Important:
You may not switch to an OTJ internship after beginning your traditional student teaching placement. Students in this situation must formally withdraw from the traditional internship (which may incur tuition penalties) and reapply for OTJ internship in a future semester.