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This four-year bachelor's degree program provides a robust, well-rounded curriculum that includes general and content-specific teaching methods courses and leads to initial licensure in secondary education. Currently approved subject area tracks include English, biology, chemistry, Earth science, and computer science (math and physics tracks are under development).
Strong partnerships with local high schools and middle schools ensure that teacher candidates are immersed in classroom settings with secondary 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 6-12 in the state of Virginia. Currently approved subject area tracks include English, biology, chemistry, Earth science, and computer science (math and physics tracks are under development).
Graduates gain hands-on experience and make a difference through Mason’s local partner schools. The Mason Secondary Education (SEED) Partnership School Network is comprised of high schools and middle schools in Fairfax County, Prince William County, Loudoun County, Alexandria City, Manassas City, and Falls Church City. In these school/university partnerships, the SEED teacher preparation program and high/middle school mentors take joint responsibility for:
- teacher preparation
- faculty development
- enhanced student learning
- inquiry directed at the improvement of practice
During their first two years in the BSEd program, students complete Mason Core, content area, and required foundational education courses. During this time, they have some flexibility in course selection. Students spend their last two years largely as part of a cohort, completing a prescribed sequence of upper-level secondary education (SEED) courses that are offered once a year in either the fall or spring. The structure of this program works for students who can enroll full-time and complete the majority of their courses, most of which occur during the day. Students who need to take classes part-time or who need all evening classes should pursue the SEED Bachelor's to Accelerated Master's (BAM) program instead.
The majority of the secondary education (SEED) courses will meet once per week on Mason’s Fairfax campus or will be blended with a mix of on-campus and online instruction. Many require observation hours in the field (in SEED partner high schools and middle schools), for which students will be assigned to a specific school and classroom teacher in our SEED Partner School Network.
Secondary education students engage in a year-long internship experience (student teaching) that spans the fall and spring semesters of their final year. As with field work (or “clinical” work), internship assignments are made by the program and take place in a SEED Partnership Network school.
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.
Foundation Requirements:
Exploration Requirements:
Integration Requirement:
- Written Communication (3)
- Writing Intensive (fulfilled by major requirements)
- Synthesis/Capstone (fulfilled by major requirements)
*ASTR 111, ASTR 112, GEOL 101, GEOL 102, GEOL 103, GEOL 104, GEOL 120, and GEOL 121 satisfy, in part, the Mason Core Natural Science requirement.
**GGS 309 Introduction to Weather and Climate (3 credits) may be substituted for CLIM 111 and CLIM 112.
*Please note: There are specific courses that are required by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) as part of this licensure pathway. Information about these courses are listed in the “Content Area Requirements for Virginia Licensure” section below. Please work with your undergraduate advisor to ensure that you are taking all of the content courses needed as part of your undergraduate major.
Select 13 credits from the following:
Total credits: 120
There may be additional coursework that is required for your licensure pathway. In addition to the required courses listed above, your degree pathway has additional content coursework that the Virginia Department of Education requires. Many of these requirements may be satisfied through your undergraduate coursework or any college coursework you may have previously completed. Please visit the Content Area Review website for more details. 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.
Freshman
- Non-Binding Early Action Deadline: November 1
- Regular Decision Deadline: January 15
Transfer
- Fall Priority Deadline: March 1
- Spring Priority Deadline: October 1
For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.
Prospective George Mason students can visit the How to Apply page for more information about submitting an application.
Learn about submission deadlines and admissions requirements using the links below:
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$596.50
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$1,638.00
(includes MSF*) |
CEHD Course Fee
($25/credit with higher per credit or flat course fees for internship and select ATEP, RECR, and RMGT courses) |
$25 - $257 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$621.50 - $853.50 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$1,663.00 - $1,895.00 |
Undergraduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$350 | $275 for transfer students |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $163.50
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.
The secondary education (SEED) program includes multiple members of our advising team, including the SEED Academic Advisor and a subject area advisor for subject area track (English, history/social science, biology, chemistry, Earth science, and computer science). You should meet with the academic advisor and your subject area advisor at least once per semester to ensure that you are on track to complete your program successfully. Your advisors can do more than simply help you understand your program requirements; they 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.
Secondary Education (SEED) Academic Advisor
Patty Hibner
Thompson Hall, Suite 1800
703.993.3931
Schedule an appointment
Secondary Education (SEED) Subject Area Advisors
English: Dr. Kristien Zenkov
History/Social Science: Lynda Herrera
Science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics): Dr. Erin Peters-Burton
Math: Dr. Theresa Wills
Computer Science: Lynda Herrera
Links and Resources from the Office of Teacher Preparation:
Secondary Education (SEED) Program
School of Education
4400 University Drive, MS 4B3
Thompson Hall, 1800
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Phone: (703) 993-3696
Fax: (703) 993-2013
Lynda Herrera
Academic Program Coordinator
Erin Peters-Burton
Kristien Zenkov
Andrew Porter