Think You Want to Be a Teacher?

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Think You Want to Be a Teacher?

• Presented by
• The College of Education and Human Development
• George Mason University
• SPRING 2010
• Please sign in at the door and
• help yourself to information.

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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

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Why Do You Want to Become a Teacher?

• Make a difference
• Change lives
• Engage minds
• Touch the future
• Its a good profession
• Fulfilling
• Stable
• Benefits
• Opportunities for growth

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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?

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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
Media 10. Grades 6-8 (All Subjects)
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Why George Mason University?

• Nationally accredited (NCATE) programs
• Wide variety of programs
• Convenient class times (430 and 720)
• Team to assist you
• Advisor
• Endorsement Specialist endorse_at_gmu.edu
• Field Placement Specialist lclarkg_at_gmu.edu
• Licensure Specialist edlicen_at_gmu.edu

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Masons Teacher Licensure Programs

• Many of our programs offer an optional
  masters degree upon completing licensure
  coursework.

• Early Childhood Education (EDSE-SPEC)
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
• Secondary Education/CS
• English as a Sec. Lang.
• Foreign Language
• Special Education

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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
  (13 credits)
• Contact Julie Kidd to add secondary
  licensure program.
• PRIORITY DEADLINE March 1 (fall) Nov. 1
  (spring)
•  

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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/pd
  s/
• 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
  /
• NEW Bridge Year Long Internship Program (5
  academic terms with a spring start)
• STRICT DEADLINE Feb. 1 summer and fall Oct. 1
  spring

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Secondary Education (Grades 6-12)

• M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
• Concentration Secondary Education
• Subject areas English, History, Math, Sciences
  (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics)
• Initial licensure (21 cr) with optional masters
  (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 districtthey 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) October 1
  (spring)

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

• M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
• Concentration Secondary Education
• Subject areas English, History, Math, Sciences
  (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics)
• Initial licensure (18 cr) with optional masters
  (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)

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English as a Second Language (PK-12)

• M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
• Concentration English as a Second Language
• Initial licensure (30 cr) with optional masters
  (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 districtthey provide you with a
  provisional license)
• PRIORITY DEADLINE March 1 (fall) November 1
  (spring)

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Foreign Language (PK-12)

• M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
• Concentration Foreign Language and Latin
• Languages Spanish, French, German, Arabic,
  Chinese (limited availability), Japanese,
  Russian, and Latin
• Initial licensure (27 cr) with optional masters
  (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)

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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 (9 credits)
• Students with Disabilities who Access the Adapted
  Curriculum K-12 (12 credits)
• Visual Impairments PK-12 (14 credits)
• 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)

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Pre-Admission

• 1. Choose and research your program
  http//gse.gmu.edu/programs/
• 2. Complete endorsement review
• ONLINE-http//cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/endorse/
• Early Childhood, Elementary and
  Secondary Ed incl. Career Switcher
• Foreign language-contact Nanette Rutsch
  nrutsch_at_gmu.edu
• OPTION ACTFL WPT/OPI plus 6 credits of foreign
  language
• 3. Complete testing (SAT/ACT/Praxis I)CS
  requires PRAXIS II and VCLA prior to admission

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Endorsements

• Endorsements are undergraduate courses in content
  areas that must be completed prior to internship.
• For Secondary Ed. and CS/Secondary Ed., you may
  fulfill your endorsement requirements via your
  bachelors degree in English, chemistry, physics,
  math or biology.
• Must be within 9 credits of completion by the
  first day of class. Course work in progress MUST
  be entered in the online endorsement review.
• Submit transcripts (including GMU) and official
  CLEP exam scores with cover sheet
• Contact endorse_at_gmu.edu to see which course work
  can fulfill endorsement requirements.
• Allow 4-6 weeks for review to be completed.
• Send a copy of endorsement review to Admissions.

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SAT/ACT Equivalent

• SAT

• ACT

• SAT test taken after April 1,1995
• Score1100
• Minimum 530 Verbal and 530 Math
• SAT test taken before April 1, 1995
• Score1000
• Minimum 450 Verbal and 510 Math

• ACT test taken after April 1,1995
• Score24
• Minimum 22 Math and 46 (English Reading)
• ACT test taken before April 1, 1995
• Score21
• Minimum 21 Math and 37 (English Reading)
• ACT scores prior to fall 1989 did not include a
  reading component and cannot be accepted.

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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
  licensure program)
• A composite score of 532 is required.
• Report scores to GMU institutional code 5827.

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Praxis II-Content Knowledge Exam

• Register for the paper-based exam at
  www.ets.org/praxis
• Test codes and sample questions--Praxis Web site.
• 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 (English, Social Studies, Math,
  Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics)
• Note Elementary Education Praxis II exam or
  course is an exit requirement for Students with
  Disabilities who Access the Adapted Curriculum
  K-12

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VCLA/VRA Tests

• VCLA http//www.va.nesinc.com/
• The Virginia Communication and Literacy
  Assessment (VCLA) must be passed prior to
  internship application submission for ALL initial
  teacher licensure programs - (VCLA is an
  admissions requirement for the Career Switcher
  program).
• Passing score470.
• Report scores to GMU (code 17) when you register
  for exam.
• VRA http//www.va.nesinc.com/
• The Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) must be
  passed prior to internship application submission
  for Early Childhood Education-EPK3, Elementary
  Education, and Special Education.
• Passing score235.
• Report scores to GMU when you register for exam.

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How Do You Apply?

• Follow 4-step process http//cehd.gmu.edu/admiss
  ions/steps/
• Step 1 Select your Program
• Review program requirements
• Step 2 Apply online
• Step 3 Send in sealed documents togetherMS4D1
• Step 4 Application Status
• Students accepted for fall are allowed to enroll
  in summer classes.

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Complete Applications

• Graduate application with fee
• Official transcripts
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• Passing Praxis I test OR SAT/ACT
• Endorsement review
• Additional program specific materials, where
  appropriate (http//gse.gmu.edu/programs/)

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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

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Steps to Virginia Licensure

• Bachelors degree
• Content/endorsement requirement course work
• ACTFL OPI and WPT (in lieu of foreign lang.
  endorsements)
• Praxis I passing scores or SAT/ACT equiv. scores
  (admission)
• Praxis II passing scores
• Pass Virginia Communication and Literacy
  Assessment (VCLA)
• Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA)
• Complete a state-approved program
• These requirements meet Virginias definition of
  a highly qualified teacher.

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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
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FAQ Licensure Reciprocity

• Will my Virginia teachers 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.
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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.

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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 [phone]
• Website http//admissions.gmu.edu/nondegree/

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FAQ When Do Classes Meet?

• Most classes will meet once a week, either at
  430 pm or 720 pm
• Full time programs offer courses that meet during
  the day
• Summer session courses meet 2-3 times a week

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FAQ What is the Cost?

• Spring 2010
• In-state tuition
• 398/credit hour

• Out-of-state tuition
• 987/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.
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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.v
  a.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/

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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 numberMason ID

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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.

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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

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Address Changes

• Address updates must be provided directly to
  cehdgrad_at_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.

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Privacy and Security

• Due to privacy regulations, 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.

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Important Contacts

• CEHD Admissions 703 993-2010
• cehdgrad_at_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