Blindness and Visual Impairments PK-12 Licensure, Master of Education in Special Education, Concentration in PK-12 Blindness and Visual Impairments Licensure

Core Coursework (15 credits)

• EDSE 501: Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)
• EDSE 517: Computer Applications for Special Populations (3 credits)
• EDSE 590: Special Education Research (3 credits)

Language Development and Reading

• EDSE 503: Language Development and Reading (3 credits)

Consultation and Collaboration

• EDSE 663: Collaborative Teamwork to Support Students with Significant Disabilities (3 credits)

Concentration Coursework (32 credits)

• EDAT 522: Assistive Technology for Individuals with Sensory Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 511: Characteristics of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 512: Braille Code (3 credits)
• EDSE 513: Medical and Educational Implications of Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 514: Orientation and Mobility for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (2 credits)
• EDSE 518: Curriculum and Assessment of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 532: Positive Behavior Supports (3 credits)
• EDSE 613: Teaching Methods for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 616: Braille Reading and Writing (3 credits)
• EDSE 785: Internship: Blindness and Visual Impairments (6 credits) must complete 6 credits of internship

Non-course Requirements

• Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
• Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary
• Praxis Braille Proficiency
• Emergency First Aid, CPR and Use of AED Certification or Training

Prerequisites (met prior to admission or upon admission):

• EDSE 501: Introduction to Special Education (3 credits) OR EDSE 201: Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)
• EDSE 503: Language Development and Reading (3 credits) OR EDSE 341: Language Acquisition and Reading and Writing Development (3 credits) (or passing RVE, or current VA teaching license)
• EDSE 511: Characteristics of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits) OR EDSE 311: Characteristics of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 532: Positive Behavior Supports (3 credits); OR EDSE 251: Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Supports (3 credits) AND EDSE 353: Individualized Behavior Supports (3 credits)
• EDSE 663: Collaborative Teamwork to Support Students with Significant Disabilities (3 credits) OR EDSE 354: Consultation and Collaboration (3 credits)

Certificate Requirements

• EDAT 522: Assistive Technology for Individuals with Sensory Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 512: Braille Code (3 credits)
• EDSE 513: Medical and Educational Implications of Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 514: Orientation and Mobility for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (2 credits)
• EDSE 518: Curriculum and Assessment of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 613: Teaching Methods for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSE 616: Braille Reading and Writing (3 credits)
• EDSE 785: Internship: Blindness and Visual Impairments (2 credits)

Non-course Requirements

• Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
• Emergency First Aid, CPR and Use of AED Certification or Training
• Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary
• Praxis Braille Proficiency

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.

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.

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 coaching and feedback on that practice from school- and university-based experienced professionals. Regardless of whether or not a student has teaching experience, supervised internship experiences are required components for any student completing the state-approved licensure programs. Students complete two internships: one at the elementary level and one at the secondary level.

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. To ensure college deadlines are met and to confirm eligibility of internship options, each student should review internship options with an advisor early in the program.

There are multiple options for meeting internship requirements:

• Placement internship - Students request a setting in which to complete an internship. Mason places students in internship settings in fall, spring, and summer semesters. Summer placements are often arranged in local private schools. While participating in internship, candidates share their mentor teacher’s daily schedule to have a full-time teaching experience. Interns arrive and end their day based on the school schedule and may also participate in teacher responsibilities outside of typical school hours.
• On-the-job internship - Students use their employment setting for the internship site. The on-the-job option allows interns to complete the internship experience while they work. To be eligible for an on-the-job internship, students must be in a position approved by the school division for an on-the-job internship, be working in a public or VDOE-approved private school as an internship site, be working in a setting appropriate for their program, and have permission and support of the building administrator. Students must be able to accumulate sufficient direct and indirect teaching hours with students under the licensure area they seek. On-the-job interns identify a qualified mentor teacher from their school to support them during the internship, and a university supervisor is assigned to the intern by the university.
• Internship waiver - Students in the PK-12 Blindness and Visual Impairments licensure programs may waive one of the two internship requirements providing they document two full academic or calendar years of successful, full-time teaching in a public or accredited private school working with students who fall under the licensure category they are pursuing. Experience must be as the teacher of record in the classroom; experience as a substitute teacher, instructional assistant or intern does not qualify. Students should refer to the internship waiver checklist to ensure they can provide the required documentation and complete the required waiver observations.

Internship application deadlines, instructions for applying and internship manuals with details of internship responsibilities and requirements are available at Student Internship. Students wishing to complete internship outside of the Northern Virginia area should review the Distance Placement Guidelines.

Submitting for Virginia Licensure

Students who have completed the university VDOE-approved program must meet all requirements for their licensure program, including internships and test requirements, prior to submitting for teacher licensure in Virginia. Once requirements for licensure have been met (e.g., grades posted for all classes, waivers submitted if applicable, tests completed, etc.), students may apply. Graduate students do not have to wait until conferral of their degree. Students seeking VDOE licensure may submit for licensure either by submitting all VDOE required documentation through Mason or by obtaining a college verification form from Mason and submitting through their school division.

Students are encouraged to check their records when they are approximately 6 weeks away from completion of their final coursework to avoid delays in processing licensure paperwork. Because your job or a job offer may depend on your ability to provide a signed college verification form for licensure, all paperwork (including internship waiver) should be submitted to the Special Education Advising Office at least six weeks prior to submission for licensure. This provides the necessary time for adjustments to be entered on your record before the licensure specialist completes your paperwork.

College Verification Form:

There are 3 options that the Mason licensure specialist can check on the college verification form:

• Option 1: Completed state approved program — This is the ideal route to licensure and the only route recommended by Mason. Program requirements are pre-approved by VDOE to cover licensure competencies. This option is available to students who complete either the undergraduate BSEd in Special Education with a licensure concentration or who complete a graduate licensure certificate. All program requirements including internships and program test requirements (e.g, VCLA) must be met.

• Option 2: "No – all but internships" — Graduate students with teaching experience in the public schools, for example in teaching general education or teaching as a provisionally licensed special education teacher, who complete all components of the licensure certificate program including program test requirements (e.g, VCLA) can receive a college verification form stating that while the program was not complete, all requirements for the licensure program other than internship were met. School divisions must verify teaching experience. Transcripts are then reviewed by VDOE to determine if the licensure requirements, including the requirement for supervised classroom experience, have been met. This option does NOT guarantee licensure and it is possible students will need coursework outside of their program to meet state licensure requirements. This route is not recommended by Mason.

• Option 3: No, has not completed a state approved program — Students who do not complete a licensure program at the university can submit transcripts to VDOE and request a review to determine which licensure competencies were met with the courses completed. This option does NOT guarantee licensure and it is likely students will need coursework outside of their program to meet state licensure requirements. Mason recommends all students pursuing licensure do so by completion of a pre-approved university program as noted in Option 1.

Licensure Outside of Virginia
Licensure requirements are state-specific. If you intend to seek licensure outside of Virginia, begin by consulting with the Department of Education of the state. You may also want to review the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement Facilitating Mobility of Educational Personnel. If a form is required by the state indicating your completion of a licensure program, or status in a licensure program, submit the form to the CEHD Licensure Specialist.

Forms

Current students should visit MyMason for important forms and documents.

Licensure Testing

Students should review licensure testing requirements for their teacher licensure program. Mason offers free licensure testing support resources for enrolled students.