Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Transfer Guide
Education
Consult the web site for the College of Education and Human Development for details about teacher licensure. For specific information on teacher licensure for undergraduate programs such as music and physical education, please see their specific web sites.
Notes
All teacher licensure programs, except Dance, are offered on the graduate level and may lead to a Master's degree. Music, Health/Physical Education, Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, and Dance teacher licensure programs can be completed on the undergraduate level. Bachelor's degree students are encouraged to contact the Undergraduate Academic Advisor for Education, Eva Nolen, at enolen2@gmu.edu. Detailed information about the graduate level teacher licensure programs is available at monthly Information Sessions. Call 703.993.2080 for the schedule or refer to the website: http://gse.gmu.edu. The following state-approved and NCATE accredited teacher licensure programs are available at George Mason University.
All of the teacher licensure programs require passing scores on the Praxis I tests in reading, writing and mathematics; the Praxis II content knowledge and VRA tests (if required for the specific licensure area); and the VCLA.
Music Education PK-12 (Vocal or Instrumental)
See the Mason/VCCS Music Transfer Sheets (B.A. and B.M.) and Music Education program under College of Visual and Performing Arts in the Mason Catalog.
Health/Physical Education PK-12
See the Mason/VCCS Physical Education Transfer sheet and Physical Education program under Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources in the Mason Catalog.
Elementary Education PK-6
Requirements:
1. Bachelor's degree in any of the Arts or Sciences. The most appropriate majors are subjects taught in elementary schools such as English, mathematics, and history; Integrative Studies; or a behavioral science major such as psychology or sociology.
2. Fifty-seven credits of specific undergraduate content courses (called "endorsement courses") in English, social sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, the arts, and humanities.
3. Thirty-two credits of specific graduate level professional studies courses including an internship of supervised student teaching.
4. Additional 15 credits of graduate level course work to complete the Master's degree.
English as a Second Language PK-12
Requirements:
1. Bachelor's degree in any of the Arts or Sciences, including 6 credits of a foreign language.
2. Passing score on an English language proficiency test, if your first language is not English.
3. Twenty-seven credits of specific graduate level professional studies courses including an internship of supervised student teaching.
4. Additional 15 credits of graduate level course work to complete an optional Master's degree.
Foreign Language or Latin PK-12
Requirements:
1. Bachelor's degree in any of the Arts or Sciences.
2. Specific course work or passing test scores in the target language: Spanish, German, Russian, French, Japanese, or Latin.
3. Passing score on a language proficiency test.
4. Completion of 27 credits of specific graduate level professional studies courses including an internship of supervised student teaching.
5. Additional 15 credits of graduate level course work to complete an optional Master's degree.
Secondary Education 6-12 (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, History/Social Science, Mathematics, or Physics)
Requirements:
1. Bachelor's degree in the subject to be taught and/or completion of specific content course work.
2. Twenty-seven credits of specific graduate level professional studies courses including an internship of supervised student teaching.
3. Additional 15 credits of graduate level course work to complete an optional Master's degree.
Special Education:
Emotional Disturbance/Learning Disabilities K-12,
Severe Disabilities K-12, or
Early Childhood Special Education (birth to age 5)
Requirements for licensure and Master's degree:
1. Bachelor's degree in any of the Arts or Sciences. The most appropriate majors are subjects taught in elementary schools, such as English, mathematics, and history, or psychology. Students are strongly advised to also select a Special Education minor, which will complete half of the required licensure courses prior to beginning the graduate program.
2. Fifty-five credits of graduate level professional studies courses including 2 internships of supervised student teaching.
Early Childhood PK-3
Unified Transformative Early Education Model (UTEEM)
Requirements for licensure in Early Childhood Education PK-3, Early Childhood Special Education (birth to age 5), and English as a Second Language PK-12 and a Master's degree:
1.Bachelor's degree in any of the Arts or Sciences. The most appropriate majors are subjects taught in elementary schools, such as English, mathematics and history; Integrative Studies; or a behavioral science major such as psychology or sociology.
2. Thirty-nine credits of specific undergraduate content courses in English, social sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, arts, and foreign language.
3. Sixty-four credits of graduate level professional studies courses including 4 internships of supervised student teaching.
Fast Train (Elementary PK-6 or Secondary 6-12)
Fast Train is an alternative teacher licensure program that prepares teachers for international assignments. Contact Dr. Jack Levy for details. http://gse.gmu.edu/fasttrain.
Undergraduate Minors
Minors for undergraduates provide a "jump start" on a teaching career. Fifteen-credit minors are available in:
- Emotional Disturbance/Learning Disabilities K-12
- Severe Disabilities K-12
- Education of Diverse Young Learners
COMMENTS:
Note 1:
The graduate level course work for licensure may be completed in 1-3 years of study depending on the program. Some specified courses may be taken by undergraduates.
Note 2:
Applicants to all graduate level programs must meet admission requirements for graduate study:
1. bachelor's degree
2. 3.0 GPA for last 60 credits of undergraduate course work
3. Praxis I test scores
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. goals statement
6. interview and cold writing sample
7. language proficiency tests (if applicable)
Note 3:
To be recommended for licensure, program completers must pass the Praxis I tests in reading, writing, and mathematics, and the Praxis II content knowledge test (if required for the specific licensure area).
Note 4:
The Graduate School of Education offers these Master's and doctoral programs:
- Counseling and Developments, M.Ed. with concentrations in: School Counseling PK-12; Community Agency Counseling and Substance Abuse Counseling
- Education Leadership, M.Ed., with concentrations in: Administration and Supervision PK-12 and Mathematics/Science Leadership
- Special Education, M.Ed, with concentrations in: Emotional Disturbance/Learning Disabilities K-12; Severe Disabilities K-12; and Early Childhood Special Education (birth to 5 years).
- Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed. for initial teacher licensure in: Elementary Education PK-6, Secondary Education 6-12, Early Childhood Education (UTEEM) PK-3, Foreign Language or Latin PK-12, English as a Second Language PK-12
- Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed. for licensed or experienced educators: Multilingual/multicultural education, Instructional Technology, Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning, Reading Specialist.
- New Professional Studies, M.A. for in-service teachers
- Education, Ph.D
Note 5:
The College of Arts and Sciences offers bachelor's and post-bachelor's level teacher licensure programs in Music Education P-12 (Vocal or Instruments).
Note 6:
Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources offers bachelor's and post-bachelor's level teacher licensure program in Health/Physical Education PK-12.
While other VCCS courses may also qualify for some of the categories above, we have included those that are most often available. We strongly recommend that you work closely with your VCCS Counselor or Faculty Advisor to assure the most appropriate choices for your major.