Think You Want to Be a Teacher?

Presented by:The College of Education and Human Development

George Mason University

FALL 2009

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help yourself to information.

Teachers are Nation Builders

“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share

your riches, but to reveal to him his own.” Benjamin Disraeli

Why Do You Want to Become a Teacher?

Make a difference Change lives Engage minds Touch the future It’s a good profession

Fulfilling Stable Benefits Opportunities for growth

What Should You Teach?

What age groups are you interested in teaching? What subject areas are you most interested in? What is the job market like?

2008-09 VA Critical Shortage Areas

1. Special Education 2. Mathematics (6-12, Algebra I) 3. Science (Earth Science, Gr. 6-8, Biology) 4. Reading Specialist 5. Foreign Language (Spanish) 6. Career and Technical Education 7. ESL 8. English 9. Library Media10. Grades 6-8 (All Subjects)

Why George Mason University?

Nationally accredited (NCATE) programs Wide variety of programs Convenient class times (4:30 and 7:20) Team to assist you

Advisor Endorsement Specialist endorse@gmu.edu Field Placement Specialist lclarkg@gmu.edu Licensure Specialist edlicen@gmu.edu

Mason’s Teacher Licensure Programs

Many of our programs offer an optional master’s degree upon completing licensure coursework.

Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Secondary Education Secondary Education/CS English as a Sec. Lang. Foreign Language Special Education

Early Childhood Education M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction -- 32 cr

Concentration: Early Childhood Ed. (Pre K- Gr 3) With licensure

M.Ed. Special Education – 30 cr Concentration: Early Childhood Special Ed. (Birth-5yrs) *Optional licensure: add secondary ECSE program

M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction -- 63 cr Concentration: Early Childhood Education (UTEEM) Triple licensure in Early Childhood Ed. (Pre K-Grade 3), Early Childhood

Special Education (Birth - Five Years), and English as a Second Language (PK -12th grade)

*Contact Julie Kidd to add secondary licensure program.

PRIORITY DEADLINE: MARCH 1 (FALL); NOVEMBER 1 (SPRING)

 

Elementary Education (Pre K-6)

M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction -- 39 cr. Concentration: Elementary Ed. With licensure

Professional Development Schools Year Long Internship Program (6 academic terms with a fall start) http://gse.gmu.edu/programs/elementaryed/pds/

Professional Development Schools Semester Long Internship Program (available on the Fairfax and Loudoun Campuses; 7 academic terms with a summer start) http://gse.gmu.edu/programs/elementaryed/ps/

STRICT DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1 (SUMMER AND FALL)

Secondary Education (Grades 6-12)

M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction Concentration: Secondary Ed.

Subject areas: English, History, Math, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics)

Initial licensure (21 cr) with optional master’s (plus 12 cr) Flexible schedule

INTERNSHIPS (Concurrent enrollment in EDRD 619) Regular placement (15 weeks with no pay) On-the-job (you obtain a paid position in the school district—they provide you

with a provisional license) Professional development school placement (highly selective option providing

specially trained teachers who work with GMU faculty in preparing you for teaching).

STRICT DEADLINE: MARCH 1 (FALL); NOV. 1 (SPRING)

Secondary Ed./Career Switcher (CS) (Grades 6-12)

M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction Concentration: Secondary Ed.—(Grades 6-12)

Subject areas: English, History, Math, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics)

Initial licensure (18 cr) with optional master’s (plus 15 cr) Five years full-time work experience All endorsements completed Passing Praxis I/SAT/ACT, Praxis II, VCLA

Students are granted a one year provisional license and seek full-time employment in a local school district.

STRICT DEADLINE: MARCH 1 (FALL); OCTOBER 1 (SPRING)

English as a Second Language (PK-12)

M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction Concentration: English as a Second Language Initial licensure (30 cr) with optional master’s (plus 9 cr)

Six credit hours of a foreign language required for admission

INTERNSHIPS

Exam: Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Regular placement (15 weeks with no pay) On-the-job (you obtain a paid position in the school district—they provide you with a

provisional license)

PRIORITY DEADLINE: MARCH 1 (FALL); NOVEMBER 1 (SPRING)

Foreign Language (PK-12)

M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction Concentration: Foreign Language and Latin

Languages: Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Latin

Initial licensure (27 cr) with optional master’s (plus 12 cr)

INTERNSHIPS

Exams: ACTFL (WPT) and (OPI), VCLA, Praxis II: Spanish, French, or German

Internship options are outlined on the program Web site:  http://gse.gmu.edu/programs/foreignlang/academics/.

PRIORITY DEADLINE: MARCH 1 (FALL); NOVEMBER 1 (SPRING)

Special Education (PK-12)

M.Ed. Special Education -- 30 cr *Option: add secondary licensure program

Teaching Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum K-12

Students with Disabilities who Access the Adapted Curriculum K-12

Visual Impairments PK-12

School District Cohorts: Read “Cohort Outreach Programs” at: http://gse.gmu.edu/programs/sped/

Applicants who do not meet the 3.0 GPA requirement are encouraged to provide Praxis I or VCLA test scores with their application.

* Contact Jancy Templeton

PRIORITY DEADLINE: MARCH 1 (FALL); NOVEMBER 1 (SPRING)

Pre-Admission

Choose and research your program: gse.gmu.edu Complete online endorsement review - (EPK3, ECE-

UTEEM,ELED,SEC,SEC-CS) http://cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/endorse/. Submit unofficial transcripts (including GMU) and official CLEP exam scoresEmail: endorse@gmu.edu

Foreign language endorsements are handled by Nanette Rutsch - nrutsch@gmu.edu OPTION: ACTFL WPT/OPI plus 6 credits of foreign language

Complete testing (SAT/ACT/Praxis I)—CS requires PRAXIS II and VCLA prior to admission

SAT/ACT Equivalent

SAT SAT test taken after April

1,1995

Score=1100

Minimum: 530 Verbal and 530 Math

SAT test taken before April 1, 1995

Score=1000

Minimum: 450 Verbal and 510 Math

ACT ACT test taken after April

1,1995

Score=24

Minimum: 22 Math and 46 (English + Reading)

ACT test taken before April 1, 1995*

Score=21

Minimum: 21 Math and 37 (English + Reading)

* ACT scores prior to fall 1989 did not include a reading component and cannot be accepted.

Praxis I

Praxis I consists of reading, writing and math sections Register for the paper-based exam at:

www.ets.org/praxis Call Prometric at 1-800-853-6773 to register for a

computer-based Praxis I exam at a local testing center (M-Sat)

Required for admission to all of our programs except Special Education (required to add lic.)

A composite score of 532 is required. Report scores to GMU institutional code 5827.

Praxis II

Register for the paper-based exam at: www.ets.org/praxis Sample questions can be seen at the Praxis Web site. Praxis II tests content knowledge (e.g., math, history,

Spanish) Required for admission to SEC-CS. Must be passed prior

to final internship for: Early Childhood PK-3 Elementary Ed Foreign Language (Spanish, French and German) Secondary Ed ECE-UTEEM

VCLA/VRA Tests

VCLA The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) must be

passed prior to internship application submission for all initial teacher licensure programs - http://www.va.nesinc.com/. (VCLA is an admissions requirement for the Career Switcher program)

A total test score of at least 470 is passing for the VCLA. Report scores to GMU when you register for exam.

VRA The Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) must be passed prior to internship

application submission for Early Childhood Education-EPK3 and UTEEM, Elementary Education, and Special Education - http://www.va.nesinc.com/.

A test score of at least 235 is passing for the VRA. Report scores to GMU when you register for exam.

How Do You Apply?

Follow 4-step process: http://cehd.gmu.edu/admissions/steps/

Step 1: Select your Program Review program requirements

Step 2: Apply online Step 3: Send in sealed documents together—MS4D1 Step 4: Application Status

Students accepted for fall are allowed to enroll in summer classes.

Complete Applications

Graduate application with fee Official transcripts Goal statement Three letters of recommendation Passing Praxis I test scores or SAT/ACT equivalent (not

required for admission to ECE EDSE or EDSE) Endorsement review (EPK3, ECE-UTEEM, ELED, SEC,SEC-

CS, FLL option: ACTFL WPT/OPI plus 6 credits of foreign language) Additional program specific materials, where appropriate

(http://gse.gmu.edu/programs/)

How Do You Get Admitted?

Your application will be evaluated using the following standards:

A minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours

Praxis I composite score of at least 532 OR SAT/ACT equivalent

Strong letters of recommendation

Endorsement requirements fulfilled (except ESL,EDSE)

Interview and writing sample also required by some programs

Steps to Virginia Licensure Bachelor’s degree Content/endorsement requirement course work (ELED,SEC,FLL,EPK3,

UTEEM) ACTFL OPI and WPT (FLL—in lieu of endorsements) Praxis I passing scores or SAT/ACT equiv. scores (admission req.) Complete a state-approved program Praxis II passing scores (Early Childhood Ed PK-3, Elementary, Foreign

Language, Secondary , ECE-UTEEM) Pass Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) (Special Ed, Reading specialists,

Elementary, ECE-UTEEM, EPK-3)

These requirements meet Virginia’s definition of a highly qualified teacher.

FAQ: Licensure/Endorsement

Licensure: the initial designation from the state of Virginia

Endorsement: Designation on the license noting ages or grade levels and/or subjects, disciplines and disabilities

Example: I am licensed to teach secondary education, grades 6-12, math

FAQ: Licensure Reciprocity

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

Because Virginia has some of the highest teacher licensure requirements in the country, many states have agreed to offer “reciprocity.”

If you are considering teaching in another state, you will need to contact the department of education in that state regarding how to obtain licensure. Completing a state-approved education program enhances your chances of receiving reciprocity.

FAQ: Provisional License

What is a provisional license?

A three-year, non-renewable license for someone who does not hold a current, valid license.

An applicant must first be hired by a Virginia school division based on the content requirements for the teaching area for which the individual is applying.

FAQ: What if You Miss the Deadline?

All of our licensure programs except ELED and SEC-CS allow students to take courses as a non-degree student.

Questions regarding class registration eligibility should be directed to the program office manager.

There are restrictions on how many classes can transfer into degree and certificate programs.

Students should only be in non-degree status for one semester.

Tel: 703.993.2400

Website: http://admissions.gmu.edu/nondegree/

FAQ: When Do Classes Meet?

Most classes will meet once a week, either at 4:30 pm or 7:20 pm

Full time programs offer courses that meet during the day

Summer session courses meet 2-3 times a week

FAQ: What is the Cost?

Fall 2008/Spring 2009 In-state tuition:

$370/credit hour

Out-of-state tuition: $928/credit hour

To be classified as an “in-state” student, you must live in Virginia for one year and pay taxes to the state for one year.

FAQ: Scholarships?

The Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program For students pursuing teaching careers in shortage or critical needs

areas For more information, read about the scholarship program on the

VDOE Web site: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/newvdoe/teached.html

General financial aid information can be found at: http://financialaid.gmu.edu/

The application for assistantships can be found at: http://cehd.gmu.edu/oasa/funding_opps/

FAQ: Communication?

E-mail acknowledgment (must provide e-mail address) Self managed process

Lacking letter Sent once application is processed if incomplete

Decision letter Sent via postal mail 2-4 wks after interviews (POM)

Intent to enroll: cehd.gmu.edu/admissions/rsvp

G number—Mason ID

Application Status

Graduate applicants are expected to monitor their application status by checking online at: http://admissions.gmu.edu/ApplicationStatus

Some applications may be suspended for several days if a previous student record exists requiring additional verification to avoid creating duplicate G numbers.

Applications are pushed through the system at 10 PM nightly. They are processed according to program deadline and date of receipt.

Name Changes

Applicants who previously attended GMU must submit the Change of Name form found at: http://cehd.gmu.edu/documents/admissions/ along with acceptable legal documentation outlined on form.

Send via mail to:

George Mason UniversityCEHD Admissions4400 University Dr., MS 4D1Fairfax, VA  22030

Drop off: Robinson A, room 103

Address Changes

Address updates must be provided directly to gseadmit@gmu.edu.

This is critical to ensure decision letters are properly routed.

Students have access to Patriot Web once they have been accepted and have indicated their intent to enroll.

FERPA

Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Regulations (FERPA), we can only speak with applicants. Written permission must be provided if you need someone to speak on your behalf.

Due to security and privacy concerns, social security numbers are being dropped from transcripts.

Former names must be included in your application so we can cross-match documents should a transcript arrive separately.

Important Contacts

GSE Admissions: 703 993-2010

gseadmit@gmu.edu Financial Aid: 703 993-2353 Non-Degree: 703 993-2400

College of Education and Human Development

George Mason University

4400 University Drive, MS 4D1

Fairfax, VA 22030