Professional Studies Courses
The School of Education within the College of Education and Human Development offers Professional Studies courses for provisionally licensed teachers. All of these courses are offered fully online and may be taken by Graduate Non-Degree students.
Note: If you are a degree-seeking student, contact your advisor to determine your eligibility for enrollment, then you can enroll for these courses through Patriot Web (regular tuition rates apply).
Professional Studies courses (full listing is below) are for teachers who have been hired by a school division and have been cited with required courses in one or more areas. These courses are all offered 100% online. If you are looking for a full initial licensure degree program, please consult this page.
Educator Discount
For provisionally licensed teachers these courses are offered at a 40% discount from standard in-state tuition rates (Tuition & Fees – Student Accounts Office (gmu.edu)). For fall 2024 – summer 2025, this rate is $449/credit.
How to Enroll
To enroll you need 3 steps:
- Contact Marie Champagne for advisement.
- Apply as a Graduate Non-Degree
- After you have completed the first 2 steps, contact Felicita Minionis for discounted rate enrollment form.
Notes:
- International students may have to meet additional requirements; visit this page (New Window) for details.
- Some courses start mid-semester. If you need to enroll in one of these courses prior to completing an application for admission, contact us to discuss your options.
Course Breakdown
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) professional studies requirements and corresponding George Mason courses, by category of endorsement area, listings are below. All courses are offered every semester.
Early/Primary Education PreK-3 and Elementary Education
| VDOE Professional Studies Requirement | George Mason Course |
| Human Development and Learning (birth through adolescence) |
|
| Curriculum and Instructional Procedures | |
| Assessment of and for Learning |
|
| Foundations of Education and the Teaching Profession |
|
| Classroom and Behavior Management | |
| Language and Literacy – Reading and Writing, and Language Acquisition |
|
Middle Education, Grades 6-8
| VDOE Professional Studies Requirement | George Mason Course |
| Human Development and Learning (birth through adolescence) |
|
| Curriculum and Instructional Procedures | |
| Assessment of and for Learning |
|
| Foundations of Education and the Teaching Profession |
|
| Classroom and Behavior Management | |
| Language and Literacy – Language Acquisition, and Reading in the Content Areas | |
|
Adult Education, Secondary Education, and PreK-12 Licensure Areas
| VDOE Professional Studies Requirement | George Mason Course |
| Human Development and Learning (birth through adolescence) |
|
| Curriculum and Instructional Procedures | |
| Assessment of and for Learning |
|
| Foundations of Education and the Teaching Profession |
|
| Classroom and Behavior Management | |
| Language and Literacy – Reading in the Content Area |
|
*If you are provisionally licensed in ESL PreK-12, take EDCI 519 Methods of Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners. If provisionally licensed in Foreign Language PreK-12, take EDCI 560 Methods of Teaching Foreign/World Languages.
** If candidate is provisionally licensed in Music Education, Theater, Visual Arts, or Health & Physical Education, take EDRD 501 Literacy and Curriculum Integration.
Special Education
Most individuals who hold provisional licensure in Virginia in Special Education need courses specific to the area of disability on their license; these content area specific courses may concurrently meet professional studies requirements. Consult with the Special Education program prior to taking courses to ensure you are meeting licensure requirements efficiently.
Contact Us
General Information and Advising: Marie Champagne
Registration Information for EDRD 501, EDRD 619, or EDRD 628: Diana Corimski
Registration Information for EDUC 501-505: Felicita Minionis