Learn about paths

toward Virginia teacher

licensure

Three Routes to Teacher Licensure at George Mason

1. Undergraduate

2. Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s (BAM)

3. Traditional Master’s

Undergraduate RouteThis path gets you ready to teach in….

• English (6-12)

• Biology (6-12)

• Chemistry (6-12)

• Earth Science (6-12)

• Math (6-12)

• Physics (6-12)

• Dance (PK-12)

• Health & Physical Education

(PK-12)

• Music (PK-12)

• Theater (PK-12)

Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s RouteThis path allows you to earn both degrees in five years

Bachelor’s Degree Master’s Degree

[any] Early Childhood

[any] Early Childhood Special Ed

[any] Special Education

Biology (BA or BS) Secondary Ed Biology

Chemistry (BA or BS) Secondary Ed Chemistry

Earth Science (BS) Secondary Ed Earth Science

Math (BA or BS) Secondary Ed Mathematics

Physics (BS) Secondary Ed Physics

English (BA) Secondary Ed English

Integrative Studies (BA) with a concentration in Social Science for Education Secondary Ed Social Science

Integrative Studies (BA) with a concentration in Elementary Education Elementary Education

Traditional Master’s RouteApply to the Graduate School of Education after you graduate

• Early Childhood Education (PK-3)

• Early Childhood Special Education

(Birth-5)

• Elementary Education

• English as a Second Language

• Foreign Language (Arabic, Chinese,

French, German, Japanese, Korean,

Latin, Spanish)

• International Education,

Elementary (PK-6)

• International Education, ESOL (PK-

12)

• Secondary Education (BIOL,

CHEM, Earth Sci, ENGH,

HIST/SOC, MATH, PHYSICS)

• Special Education

Four Components to Earning Teacher Licensure

1. A bachelor’s degree that allows space for endorsement courses.

You must first learn the subject(s) you’ll teach.

2. Completion of a state-approved educator preparation program.

You must also learn how to teach your subject(s).

3. Passing scores on all state-required exams.

4. Successful internship (student teaching).

A bachelor’s degree that allows space for

endorsement courses.

Examples:

To teach: Credit requirements include:

Elementary school 12 credits English, 15 credits history/social science, 12 credits natural science, 12 credits math, 3 credits art/music, 3 credits humanities

Physics A major in physics, making sure to include 32 credits magnetism, electricity, optics, and mechanics

History/Social Science 18 credits history, 18 credits government, 9 credits geography, 6 credits economics

cehd.gmu.edu/endorse

Completion of a state-approved educator

preparation program

This may include the following courses:

• Foundations of Education

• Human Growth and Development

• Content specific methods courses (math, science, elementary,

etc.)

• Literacy/Reading

• Internship (student teaching)

Passing scores on all state-required

exams exams

• Praxis Core (or qualifying substitute)

Must pass in order to be accepted into ANY teacher prep

program.

• Praxis II (Content Specific)

• VCLA (Virginia Communications and Literacy Assessment)

• RVE (Reading for Virginia Educators)

cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/test

Successful internship (student teaching)

• The final piece: You must pass all exams and complete all

applicable endorsements before applying for an internship

• 40 hours a week in the classroom

• You must apply early in the semester before you plan to intern

o Application deadlines vary among programs

Admission Requirements

• 3.0 grade point average

• Endorsement/prerequisite content courses

• Passing test scores

• Statement of goals

• 3 letters of recommendation

• BONUS: Get experience through substitute teaching, working as

an instructional assistant, private school teaching, camp

counselor, home school groups, education minor

Will my Virginia teacher’s license “transfer” to other

states?

• George Mason’s Virginia state-approved educator preparation

programs have an interstate agreement with most U.S. states

and territories.

• Each state has its own licensure regulations and requirements.

I’ve decided that I want to teach! What should I do now?

• Meet with a CEHD advisor and set up an endorsement review (if

applicable).

• Speak to your current academic advisor on how to best fulfill any

required endorsement courses in tandem with your bachelor’s

degree requirements.

• Prepare to apply to a George Mason teacher-prep program by

the program’s deadline.

Education Minors

• Applied Behavior Analysis Minor

• Assistive Technology Minor

• Early Childhood Education for Diverse Learners Minor

• Education Studies Minor

• Human Development and Family Science Minor

• Mild Disabilities Minor

• Secondary Education English Minor (Licensure)

• Severe Disabilities Minor

• Visual Impairment and Blindness Minor

Contact Information

• Education Advising: askCEHD@gmu.edu

• Endorsement Advising: endorse@gmu.edu

cehd.gmu.edu

Today’s Event Evaluation Form

www.surveymonkey.com/s/thinkteacher

Arne DuncanU.S. Secretary of Education

April 14: 2 -3 pm

Center for the Arts

http://cehd.gmu.edu/makemore