Early Childhood Education

Admissions

Pre-Admission Requirements

All Early Childhood Programs:

Specific to EPK-3 Programs:

  • Complete endorsement requirements - students who are within nine credits of completing endorsement requirements will be evaluated for admission.
    • Fill out Online Endorsement Review and send supporting documentation with Endorsement Review Cover Letter to licensure specialist (CEHD Licensure Specialist, 4400 University Dr, MS4B3, Fairfax, VA 22030).
    • Students will receive an email notifying them that the Endorsement Review has been updated and should print out the Endorsement Review Summary and send to Admissions Office with supporting documentation.
  • Register to take Praxis I tests so that scores can be submitted by the application deadline to GMU (please allow 4-6 weeks for scores to arrive). Applicants may submit qualifying SAT or ACT scores in lieu of Praxis I.

Admission Requirements

All Early Childhood Programs:

  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of study. Some applicants with a lower GPA may be admitted provisionally if there is sufficient evidence of potential success.
  • Two sealed official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants do not need to send in transcripts for courses taken at George Mason University.
  • Complete graduate application to include application fee and a 750 -1000 word goal statement that addresses the reasons for choosing to enter the Special Education program. Steps for Applying.
  • Three letters of recommendation from former or current employers or university professors, targeting work experiences and academic abilities. Please use the Letters of Recommendation Form.
  • If you are an applicant with international credentials, please consult the Information for International Applicants

Specific to EPK-3 Programs:

  • Endorsement Review Summary (see Pre-Admission Requirements above)
  • Passing Praxis Itest scores or qualifying SAT/ACT scores.

Supporting documentation should be sent in one package to:

George Mason University
CEHD Admissions
4400 University Dr., MS 4D1
Fairfax, VA 22030

Application Deadlines

Students admitted for fall are eligible to begin course work in summer or fall term.

  • Fall: Rolling admissions, March 1 recommended
  • Spring: Rolling admissions, November 1 recommended

PhD Admissions

Detailed Admission information is available at PhD Admissions

Post Admissions

There are additional tests that need to be taken depending on which program you are in:

  • Early Childhood Special Education

      • Most Early Childhood Special Education students enter the Master's program and then add-on their licensure/certificate as a secondary program once enrolled. The Praxis I exam is required to enter a licensure program. In addition to the Praxis I you need to have passed the VCLA prior to internship.

  • EPK-3

      • Praxis I, Praxis II, and VCLA must be passed prior to internship. A passing score on the VRA is needed to earn a Satisfactory grade in EDUT 790 Internship With Diverse Learners.

Non-Degree

Students accepted as non-degree students by the university may take early childhood courses providing there is space available. However, students may only transfer 12 credits of non-degree coursework into the master's degree and licensure program. This means that if students take courses as non-degree students and then are accepted into the master's and licensure program, only 12 credits of the non-degree coursework may be transferred into the program. Students must complete the Graduate Transfer of Credit Request form.