Office Endorsements
Who needs to have an Endorsement Review
Endorsement requirements are established by the Virginia Department of Education and are a required component of many of our state-approved licensure programs.
The following programs will require an endorsement review for purposes of admission:
- Career Switcher - Secondary Education
- Secondary Education (History/Social Sciences, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, and Mathematics)
- Elementary Education
- UTEEM triple Licensure Program
- Early Childhood Education
- Foreign Language
- FAST TRAIN- Elementary PK-6
What are Endorsements and why do I need to complete them?
Endorsements are undergraduate courses in content areas required by the state for the purpose of licensure and MUST be completed prior to internship. Applicants other than Career Switcher and FAST TRAIN must be within 9 credits of completion of endorsement requirements prior to enrollment (first day of admissions term). Course work and CLEP testes in progress must be detailed on the endorsement review to facilitate admission consideration. Please enter completion or projected completion date via "add course" on an online endorsement review form. Note: Career Switcher applicants must complete all endorsement credits prior to enrollment. FAST TRAIN Applicants must complete endorsement requirement prior to applying licensure.
Applicants who wish to teach Foreign Language should contact Program Office Manager, Nanette Rutsch, at nrutch@gmu.edu or 703-993-3844 for endorsement information and requirements. The endorsement review is used solely as a component of our programs within CEHD at GMU. If you choose not to complete our program, transfer to another program, or attempt to become hired under provisional licensure, you will be subject to a new review by that college, university, school division or b y the Virginia Department of Education.
Steps for an Endorsement Review
1. Visit the Online Endorsement Review Web Site
2. Click the link to the right to Create Account. Enter your personal information and submit the form.
3. Click the Form Selection link to enter your endorsement course information and select the form for your endorsement area.
4. Enter your course information for the required endorsement area.
- Provide a comment if the course title does not accurately show that it fulfills that requirement.
- List all collegiate completed (passing grades must be posted on your transcript) and in progress courses/CLEP tests.
- If you are entering CLEP or AP, use the title of the exam for both the course number and title. List your score in the comment section.
- ONLY enter the minimum amount of courses that complete the required content and credits. Additional classes will be added by the endorsement specialist as appropriate.
- SUBMIT
Note: You will receive an e-mail confirming your information has been successfully submitted.
5. YOU MUST then submit the following documentation to the Endorsement Office:
- Cover Sheet
- Transcripts (online print outs and photocopies ARE acceptable) Note: Transcripts MIST be provided for ALL course work completed or in progress including courses taken at GMU. Please note the endorsement office DOES NOT have access to transcripts provided to CEHD Admissions.
- CLEP scores (if you have completed any CLEP tests)
- Course descriptions for any courses that do not appear to cover the content based on title alone or for any courses that are cross-listed.
6. You may Mail, fax or Drop Off to:
CEHD Endorsement Specialist
George Mason University
4400 University Dr, MS 4B4
Robinson Hall A, Room 307
Fairfax, VA 22030
Fax: 703-993-2082
Phone: 703-993-1745
Email: endorse@gmu.edu
Once the Endorsement Review has been Approved
Once the Endorsement Review has been completed, you will be notified via e-mail. Applicants are required to print and submit a detailed summary of your approved endorsement review to the CEHD Admissions Office at MS 4D1. This is critical to ensure your application is reviewed for admission in a timely manner.