Special Education
Resources
Student Advising
Every student must meet with his advisor upon admission to the program to create a program of study. Even if students know which program/s they will pursue and their sequence of coursework, it is beneficial to discuss plans for internships, testing requirements, transfer options if applicable etc. Students should keep in contact with their advisor when their plans change and revisions to their program of study are required. To prevent any unnecessary confusion or delay in completing your program (M.Ed and/or certificate), be sure to make a telephone or face-to-face advising appointment with the advisor assigned to you. Your advisor assignment is included in the welcome packet you receive upon admission and is listed on your record in Patriotweb. Typical advisor assignments are:
| Danielle Williamson dwilli19@gmu.edu 703-993-4361 |
Jancy Templeton jtemple1@gmu.edu 703-993-2387 |
| Prince William cohort students | Fairfax cohort students |
| Teach for America cohort students | Loudoun cohort students |
| Non-cohort students with last names A-M | Non-cohort students with last names N-Z |
Grading Policies
Students in graduate programs must maintain a 3.00 GPA (B average). Grades of B- or better are required for all education course work for licensure. Only 6 credits with grades of C will be allowed for completion of the master's degree.
Transfer of Credit
The majority of credits applied to a master's degree or graduate certificate must be earned at George Mason after admission to the program. For a master's degree, a minimum of 18 credits must be taken in degree status after admission to the program. For graduate certificates, a maximum of 3 credits can be transferred from another accredited institution after admission to the program. All transfer credits must have advisor approval. Credits cannot be more than six years old, must be graduate level, must not have been counted towards another degree, and must be graded (grade of B or better, no pass/fail, no audit, etc.)
Tuition
Rates are available at http://studentaccounts.gmu.edu/tuition.html.
Financial Aid
Information on loans, assistantships, fellowships, and other types of financial aid is available in the Office of Student Financial Aid which can be reached via telephone at 703.993.2353 or on the web at http://financialaid.gmu.edu. Specific special education financial assistance information may be found on the special education website and the Kellar
Graduation and Licensure Completion
Applicants with a master's degree who want to pursue a teaching license must apply to one of the graduate certificate programs that lead to licensure (Early Childhood Special Education, Teaching Students with Disabilities who Access the General curriculum K-12, Students with Disabilities who Access the Adapted Curriculum, Visual Impairments PK-12 Licensure).
Applicants who want a master's degree and a graduate certificate must apply to the master's program first and then declare a secondary program by submitting the form: Application for Secondary Graduate Certificate Program to their advisor. Students cannot declare a secondary licensure program without submitting passing Praxis I scores.
The degree program and the graduate certificate program may be completed in any order or together. Teachers seeking endorsement through the approved program must submit a licensure application through GMU.
Praxis Tests
Official, passing Praxis I (reading, writing and mathematics) scores or qualifying SAT/ACT scores are required for application to Mason's state-approved licensure certificate programs and are part of the multiple criteria used to make admissions decisions to the M.Ed. program. The Praxis II test in Special Education is not currently required.
Praxis II: Elementary Education Content Knowledge Exam is an exit requirement for the licensure certificate program in Students with Disabilities who Access the Adapted Curriculum.