Transcript Think You Want to Be a Teacher?

Think You Want to Be a Teacher?
Presented by:
The College of Education and Human Development
George Mason University
SUMMER/FALL 2009
Please sign in at the door and
help yourself to information.
Teachers are Nation Builders
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“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?
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Make a difference
Change lives
Engage minds
Touch the future
It’s a good profession
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Fulfilling
Stable
Benefits
Opportunities for growth
What Should You Teach?
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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
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Special Education
Mathematics (6-12, Algebra I)
Science (Earth Science, Gr. 6-8, Biology)
Reading Specialist
Foreign Language (Spanish)
Career and Technical Education
ESL
English
Library Media
Grades 6-8 (All Subjects)
Why George Mason University?
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Nationally accredited (NCATE) programs
Wide variety of programs
Convenient class times (4:30 and 7:20)
Team to assist you
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Advisor
Endorsement Specialist [email protected]
Field Placement Specialist [email protected]
Licensure Specialist [email protected]
Mason’s Teacher Licensure Programs
Many of our
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programs offer an
optional master’s
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degree upon
completing licensure 
coursework.
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Early Childhood
Education
Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Secondary Education/CS
English as a Sec. Lang.
Foreign Language
Special Education
Early Childhood Education
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M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction -- 32 cr
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Concentration: Early Childhood Ed. (Pre K- Gr 3)
With licensure
M.Ed. Special Education – 30 cr
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Concentration: Early Childhood Special Ed. (Birth-5yrs)
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*Optional licensure: add secondary ECSE program
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction -- 63 cr
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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)
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M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction -- 39 cr.
 Concentration: Elementary Ed.
 With licensure
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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/
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STRICT DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1 (SUMMER AND FALL)
Secondary Education (Grades 6-12)
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M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
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Concentration: Secondary Ed.
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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 PRIORITY DEADLINE: MARCH 1 (FALL); NOV. 1 (SPRING)
Secondary Ed./Career Switcher (CS)
(Grades 6-12)
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M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
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Concentration: Secondary Ed.—(Grades 6-12)
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Initial licensure (18 cr) with optional master’s (plus 15 cr)
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Subject areas: English, History, Math, Sciences (Biology,
Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics)
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 fulltime employment in a local school district.
STRICT DEADLINE: MARCH 1 (FALL); OCTOBER 1 (SPRING)
English as a Second Language (PK-12)
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M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
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Concentration: English as a Second Language
Initial licensure (30 cr) with optional master’s (plus 9 cr)
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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)
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M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
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Concentration: Foreign Language and Latin
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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
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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)
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M.Ed. Special Education -- 30 cr
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*Option: add secondary licensure program
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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
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School District Cohorts: Read “Cohort Outreach Programs” at:
http://gse.gmu.edu/programs/sped/
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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
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Choose and research your program: gse.gmu.edu
Complete online endorsement review - (EPK3, ECEUTEEM,ELED,SEC,SEC-CS)
http://cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/endorse/. Submit
unofficial transcripts (including GMU) and official
CLEP exam scores
Email: [email protected]
Foreign language endorsements are handled by
Nanette Rutsch - [email protected]
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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
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SAT test taken after April
1,1995
Score=1100
ACT
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Minimum: 530 Verbal and
530 Math
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SAT test taken before
April 1, 1995
Score=1000
Minimum: 450 Verbal and
510 Math
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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
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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
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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:
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Elementary Ed
Secondary Ed
Foreign Language (Spanish, French and German)
VCLA/VRA Tests
VCLA
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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
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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/
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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
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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,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?
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Your application will
be evaluated using the
following standards:
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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
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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 equivalent scores (admission
requirement)
Complete a state-approved program
Praxis II passing scores (Elementary, Secondary, Foreign Language)
Pass Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) (Special Ed, Reading
specialists, Elementary, UTEEM, EPK-3)
These requirements meet Virginia’s definition of a
highly qualified teacher.
FAQ: Licensure/Endorsement
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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
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Will my Virginia
teacher’s license
“transfer” to other
states?
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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.
FAQ: Provisional License
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What is a provisional
license?
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A three-year, nonrenewable 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?
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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?
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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
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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?
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The Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program
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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
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General financial aid information can be found at:
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http://financialaid.gmu.edu/
The application for assistantships can be found at:
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http://cehd.gmu.edu/oasa/funding_opps/
FAQ: Communication?
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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
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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
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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 University
CEHD Admissions
4400 University Dr., MS 4D1
Fairfax, VA 22030
Drop off: Robinson A, room 103
Address Changes
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Address updates must be provided directly to
[email protected].
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
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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
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GSE Admissions: 703 993-2010
[email protected]
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