Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education

Foundation Requirements:

• Written Communication (3)
  • ENGH 101: Composition (3 credits) (Mason Core) (recommended course)
• Oral Communication (3)
• Quantitative Reasoning (3)
• Information Technology and Computing (3)

Exploration Requirements:

• Arts (3)
• Global Contexts (3)
• Literature (3)
• Natural Science (7)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (3)
• Global History (3)

Integration Requirement:

• Written Communication (3)
  • ENGH 302: Advanced Composition (3 credits) (Mason Core)
• Writing Intensive (fulfilled by major requirements)
• Synthesis/Capstone (fulfilled by major requirements)

• EDUC 200: Introduction to Education: Teaching, Learning and Schools (3 credits) (Mason Core)
• EDUC 302: Human Growth and Development (3 credits) OR PSYC 211: Lifespan Development (3 credits) (Mason Core)
• EDSE 201: Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)
• EDSE 251: Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Supports (3 credits)
• EDSE 351: Technology Integration for Specialized Instruction (3 credits)
• EDSE 352: Assessment (3 credits)
• EDSE 353: Individualized Behavior Supports (3 credits)
• EDSE 354: Consultation and Collaboration (3 credits)
• EDSE 381: Exploratory Field Experience in Special Education (3 credits)
• EDSE 451: Transition and Self-Determination (3 credits)
• EDSE 452: Intersectionality and Disability (3 credits)
• EDSE 481: Internship: Professional Services (12 credits)* (Mason Core) OR EDSE 482: Internship: General Curriculum (12 credits) (Mason Core) OR EDSE 483: Internship: Adapted (Severe Disabilities) (12 credits) OR EDSE 484: Internship: Blindness and Visual Impairments (12 credits)

*Students enrolled in the BSEd without concentration must successfully complete EDSE 481: Internship: Professional Services (12 credits) (Mason Core). EDSE 482: Internship: General Curriculum (12 credits) (Mason Core) is required for students in the General K12 concentration. EDSE 483: Internship: Adapted (Severe Disabilities) (12 credits) (Mason Core) is required for students in the Adapted K-12 concentration. EDSE 484: Internship: Blindness and Visual Impairments (12 credits) (Mason Core) is required for students in the Blindness and Visual Impairments concentration. 

Students may select an optional licensure concentration in K-12 Adapted Curriculum Licensure, K-12 General Curriculum Licensure, PK-12 Blindness and Visual Impairments Licensure, Early Childhood Special Education, OR for a non-licensure sequence, select at least 15 credits from the special education offerings below, plus an additional 23 credits from any courses. (NOTE: A minimum of 45 upper-level credits in the major is required.)

Students who do not select an optional concentration must complete the special education core and select at least 15 credits from the special education offerings below (NOTE: A minimum of 45 upper-level credits in the major is required):

• EDSE 203: Disability in American Culture (3 credits)
• EDSE 204: Disability in Global Contexts (3 credits)
• EDSE 230: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits)
• EDSE 241: Characteristics of Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum (3 credits)
• EDSE 311: Characteristics of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 341: Language Acquisition and Reading and Writing Development (3 credits)
• EDSE 361: Characteristics of Students with Severe Disabilities (3 credits)
• EDSE 362: Communication with Severe Disabilities (3 credits)
• EDSE 410: Deaf History (3 credits)
• EDSE 412: Braille Code (3 credits)
• EDSE 413: Medical and Educational Implications of Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 414: Orientation and Mobility for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (2 credits)
• EDSE 417: Teaching Methods for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 418: Curriculum and Assessment of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 419: Braille Reading and Writing (3 credits)
• EDSE 420: Deaf History and Culture (3 credits)
• EDSE 441: Instructional Strategies for Reading and Writing (3 credits)
• EDSE 443: Instructional Strategies for Math (3 credits)
• EDSE 463: Curriculum and Methods in Severe Disabilities (3 credits)
• EDSE 467: Foundations of Language and Literacy for Individuals with Severe Disabilities (3 credits)
• EDSE 469: Individualized Supports and Specialized Care of Students with Severe Disabilities (3 credits)
• EDAT 422: Assistive Technology for Individuals with Sensory Impairments (3 credits)
• Additional EDSE or EDAT courses with advisor approval

Electives (23 credits)
Select an additional 23 credits from any courses.

120 credits, with courses offered at Mason’s Fairfax campus.

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:

• Information for freshmen students
• Information for transfer students
• General admissions website

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): $159.50

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.

To be successful in your program, it is important to remember that each student is responsible for knowing George Mason’s rules, regulations, requirements, administrative policies and academic policies. Every student must meet with his advisor upon admission to the program to create a program of study. Even if students know which program/s they will pursue and their sequence of coursework, it is beneficial to discuss plans for internships, testing requirements, transfer options if applicable, etc. It is highly recommended that you meet with your advisor at least once per semester to review degree progress and plan for future semesters. The University Catalog, your program advisors, and the staff in the Student and Academic Affairs Office are key resources to assist you as you work toward completion of your degree requirements.

Advisors

Schedule an Appointment

Current students may schedule or cancel appointments no less than 24 hours in advance. Advisor calendars are open two weeks in advance. If no appointments show as available with your assigned advisor, please check back in a day or two to see if new times have opened up. You can also e-mail general questions to your advisor.

Contact speced@gmu.edu if you have any questions or sschelp@gmu.edu if you have any issues with the scheduling system.

Drop-In Advising

Drop-in advising hours are available virtually through Blackboard or face-to-face in Finley 102. During these sessions, students receive one-on-one advising on a first-come, first-served basis. To access the virtual advising session please use the links below during the times listed:
Mondays: 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesdays: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Sessions are cancelled when George Mason is closed or if otherwise indicated.

Internships provide students with an opportunity to put into practice what they are learning in their courses and to receive feedback on that practice from experienced school- and university-based professionals. Students spend their final semester of the program in a full-day internship in a setting related to professional services for individuals with disabilities. While internship placement sites cannot be guaranteed, students will complete an EDSE 481 Internship Interest Inventory as part of their internship application and will work with faculty members to identify a potential internship site that is aligned with their career interests. Internship settings may include community and adult services, employment/job readiness, education policy, higher education, residential services, disability advocacy, recreation and leisure, or positions in the non-profit sector.

Arrangement and completion of internship is a multi-step process. Students must make a plan with their advisor for internship, apply in advance, complete test and CPR/First Aid/AED requirements where applicable, register for the internship course and fulfill internship requirements. Internship application deadlines, instructions for applying and internship manuals with details of internship responsibilities and requirements are available at Student Internship.

Mason Life: The Learning Into Future Environments (LIFE) Program is an innovative post-secondary program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who desire a university experience in a supportive academic environment. Students focusing on special education have an opportunity to work as instructors, resident advisors and mentors in the LIFE program which provides them with experience in a supervised setting.

Forms

Current students should visit MyMason for important forms and documents.