What is a Content Area Review (CAR)?
If you choose a teacher preparation program in certain areas (listed below), you will need to complete a Content Area Review process.
The Content Area Review (formerly known as Endorsement Review), is an evaluation by CEHD’s Content Area Team (within the Office of Teacher Preparation) to determine if you satisfy the prerequisite requirements for a specific teaching licensure program, as required by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). If you haven’t met all the requirements, the Content Area Team will provide you with some possible recommendations. These content area requirements are in addition to your specific teaching licensure coursework.
A Content Area Review is required for the following:
- Secondary Education (History/Social Sciences, English, Science, Mathematics, Computer Science)
- Elementary Education PK-6
- Early Childhood Education PK-3
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) PK-12
- Foreign Language Education
- Theatre Education*
- Art Education**
- Music Education
*Note to applicants interested in Theatre: following notification of the initial content area review, please contact the Theatre Department at artsgrad@gmu.edu to schedule an advising appointment.
**Note to applicants interested in Art Education: following notification of the initial content area review, please contact the Graduate Art Education office at artsgrad@gmu.edu to schedule an advising appointment.
Thank you for your interest in George Mason University! We are excited that you are interested in one of our programs!
Please make sure to read about what a Content Area Review is, above. If you would like to know if your coursework meets some or all of the required prerequisite Content Area coursework for one of our teaching licensure programs, please use this link to submit your request: Content Area Review Request.
After your review is complete, you’ll meet with someone from the Content Area Team to go over your required content area coursework and make a plan for meeting the prerequisite requirements for your teaching licensure program. If you have any questions, please email preteach@gmu.edu.
This section is for current GMU students - students who do NOT already have a Content Area Review (CAR) form started:
If you are a current GMU student and you need a CAR started, please use this link to submit your CAR request.
Once our team knows which program you are in and has all of your transcripts, we will conduct an initial review of your CAR. Once your initial CAR is complete, we will email you with an update.
You may have missing requirements. We will provide you with options to fill these requirements. Please make sure to provide your advisors with your CAR. The CAR will be used to assist you and your advisor with creating your course schedule.
As a reminder, all coursework listed on your CAR is prerequisite coursework that is REQUIRED in addition to any licensure courses for your specific teaching major. If you have any questions, please email endorse@gmu.edu.
If you are a current GMU student and you need your CAR updated, please use this link to submit your CAR request.
If you have missing requirements, we will provide you with options to fill these requirements. Please make sure to provide your advisor with your CAR. The CAR will be used to assist you and your advisor with creating your course schedule.
As reminder, all coursework listed on your CAR is prerequisite coursework that is REQUIRED in addition to any licensure courses for your specific teaching major.
Once our team updates your CAR, we will reach back out and let you know. If you have any questions while you wait for a response, please email endorse@gmu.edu.
To log in to your account
- Click My Account and sign in.
- Click on your Content Area Review form.
Important Information
- Please note - ALL content area coursework must be completed with all transcripts submitted and approved by the Content Area Review Team, prior to the internship application deadline. Since the internship application must be submitted in the semester prior to the actual internship, please submit all documentation to the Content Area Team at endorse@gmu.edu prior to applying for your internship.
- Update your CAR every semester while working to complete requirements by emailing endorse@gmu.edu and letting them know your CAR is ready to be updated.
- After the initial Content Area Review, courses must be pre-approved by your program advisor. If there are any questions about coursework that your advisor cannot answer, please email us at endorse@gmu.edu for assistance.
- C or better in all Content Area coursework is required in order to be approved.
- If you have a question about whether a course you want to take will meet the Content Area Requirement, please reach out to us at endorse@gmu.edu before enrolling in the course.
Contact:
Content Area Review Team
4400 University Dr. MS 6C13
Thompson Hall, Suite 2200
Fairfax, VA 22030
Email: endorse@gmu.edu
This internal review is used solely as a component of the programs offered by George Mason University. If you choose not to complete a Mason program, transfer to another institution, or attempt to become hired under provisional licensure, you will be subject to a new review of your CAR by that institution, school division, or by the Virginia Department of Education.
