Office of Academic and
Student Affairs

Licensure

George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) offers licensure programs for teachers, counselors, principals, and school psychologists. Licensure may be earned simultaneously with some undergraduate degree programs. Undergraduate minors can also count toward program requirements of a master's degree in special education. The undergraduate minors in special education meet one half of VA's licensure requirements.

Many graduate licensure programs offer an optional master's degree while others require the completion of a master's.

Interested licensure candidates should attend a Program Information Session.

Licensure Requirements

The requirements for Commonwealth of Virginia teacher licensure are:

A bachelor's degree in the arts or sciences from a regionally accredited institution
Passing scores on Praxis I tests and Praxis II test and VCR (if required). Praxis I tests measure reading, writing, and mathematical skills and may be taken in paper or computer format. Praxis II measures subject area knowledge in a paper format only. More information on Praxis is available at ETS. Call Mason's computer testing center at 703.993.2390 to schedule a computer-based Praxis I date.
Beginning, January 1, 2007, anyone seeking teaching licensure in VA will be required to pass the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA). For spring 2007, students applying for internship must pass the VCLA prior to submitting their applications. The last chance for taking the VCLA for spring applicants in November 4. For internet registration, go to the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment site.
Endorsement area course work. Specific course work in the endorsement area (English, history.social science, mathematics, sciences, elementary, etc.) is required. Mason's Endorsement Worksheets for each subject area are available at monthly program information sessions, in Robinson Hall A, Room 307, or online at GSE forms.
Education course work. Professional studies (education) course work is included in Mason's state-approved licensure programs. Specific course work is listed in brochures in Robinson Hall A, Room 307, at a program information session, and online at CEHD Programs of Study.
Internship or one year of successful teaching experience. Internship (or student teaching) is offered through Mason's state-approved programs. Provisionally licensed teachers may satisfy this requirement through full-time, successful employment as a teacher.

Paths to Licensure

The following routes are available to obtain Commonwealth of Virginia teacher licensure:

Approved Program

Virginia colleges and universities have state-approved programs and alternative state-approved programs, his/her college or university makes the recommendation for the full 5-year, renewable license.

Advantages of Mason's state-approved programs are: all courses count toward a master's degree, all courses are held in late-afternoons/evenings, and most programs offer students a variety of scheduling options.
If an individual is hired provisionally by a school division, he/she will receive full Virginia license after completing the state-approved program.

Reciprocity

An individual coming into Virginia from another state may qualify for a Virginia license with comparable endorsement areas if the individual holds a valid, out-of-state teaching license. Virginia has reciprocity with 37 other states for individuals leaving the state with a full teaching license.

Alternative (Provisional) Licensure

a 3-year, nonrenewable provisional license will be issued to an individual upon recommendation by a Virginia school division or by a nonpublic school that hires the individual. The state will evaluate the individual's transcript and inform him/her of the requirements that must be satisfied within the 3-year limit. Provisional licenses are usually issued only in shortage areas, such as mathematics and science. Conditional licenses are issued to special education teachers who are not fully licensed.

College Verification- For all who Have Completed the Licensure Program

A College Verification Form must be completed for you in order to apply for your license, whether you are applying through George Mason or through your current school system.

Please be aware that due to the high volume of paperwork being processed by the Licensure Office you must allow one week for processing. To ensure fair and fast service to all students, forms will be completed IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE RECEIVED.

In addition, to accommodate every student who is in need of a College Verification Form, we will be mailing the College Verification Form back to you! We ask that you keep a copy of your completed College Verification Form so that you can distribute it to school systems as necessary.

All students applying for licensure through a school system (current employer) should print a copy of the College Verification Form. Complete the top section only. Mail it along with a self addressed return envelope and we will complete it and return it to you. Please keep a copy for your personal files and provide a copy to your current school system.

Licensure Application Instructions

If you currently do not hold a valid Va teaching license and are not working with a VA school district, please provide the GMU license and are not working with a VA school district, please provide the GMU Licensure Specialist with a completed licensure application packet which includes the following:

Licensure Application Fee - $50 for VA residents, $75 for out-of-state residents (check written out to Treasurer of VA).
Initial Licensure Application Form.
Official Transcripts (from all universities attended).
College Verification Form (complete part I).
Verification that you have completed the VRA. (Only required for Reading Specialist, Elementary Education, and Special Education)
Praxis I & II scores (if applicable).
VCLA scores (Required for ALL initial teacher licensure applicants as of Jan. 1, 2007; this does not apply to School Counseling and Ed Leadership).
Child Abuse Completion (Required for MAT Art Ed and Elementary ed)

Optional Meritorious New teacher Designation Application can be found here.

If you do currently hold a valid VA teaching license and are not currently working with a VA school district, please provide the GMU Licensure Specialist with the following:

Addition of endorsement fee - $25 (checks written to Treasurer of VA)
A written memo requested that the new endorsement be added to your current license.
Official Transcripts (from GMU)
College Verification Form (complete part I).
Verification that you have completed the VRA. (Only required for Reading Specialist, Elementary Education, and Special Education)

If you are currently working with a VA school district, please provide the GMU Licensure Specialist with the College Verification Form (complete part I).

The college verification form will be provided back to you. You will then submit the completed form and the other required licensure materials to your school district's licensure representative. They will then submit the application on your behalf.

These forms can be downloaded at the following website: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/newvdoe/Application.pdf

Please submit the requested documents to the following address:

With any additional questions, please feel free to email Joanna Bosik, the GMU Licensure Specialist, at jbosik@gmu.edu

College of Education and Human Development

Office of Academic and Student Affairs