Teacher Licensure

Endorsement Process

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
    • Early Childhood Education PK-3
    • Foreign Lauguage

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 must be within 9 credits of completion of endorsement requirements prior to enrollment (first day of admission term). Course work and CLEP tests in progress must be detailed on the endorsement review to facilitate admission consideration. Please enter completion or projected completion date via “add course” on online endorsement review form. Note: Career Switcher applicants must complete all endorsement credits prior to enrollment.

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 by the Virginia Department of Education.

Steps for an Endorsement Review:

    1. Visit the Online Endorsement Review Web site: http://cehd.gmu.edu/endorse.
    2. Click the My Account link to the right and Create a new account. Enter your personal information and submit the form.
    3. Log in and click the Add a new form 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.
    5. YOU MUST then submit the following documentation to the Endorsement Office:
    • Cover Sheet
    • Transcripts (online print outs and photocopies ARE acceptable)
      • Note: Transcripts MUST 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
      4400 University Dr. MS 4B4
      Fairfax, VA 22030
      Robinson Hall A, Room 307

      Email: endorse@gmu.edu
      Phone: (703) 993-1745
      Fax: (703) 993-2082

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.

Steps for an Endorsement Update:

Please do not submit transcripts after completing each course. Only submit transcripts for an endorsement update if you need to be within 9 credits to enter a program or if you have completed all endorsement requirement courses.

To have your endorsement form updated, Please log in to the online and review website and enter any courses or CLEP exams that you have completed. Do Not Enter courses that are in progress or do not yet have a grade

    • Submit Endorsement Review Cover Sheet
    • Photo-copies of your transcripts and CLEP exam scores

Mail to:

      CEHD Endorsement Specialist
      4400 University Dr. MS 4B4
      Fairfax, VA 22030
      Robinson Hall A, Room 307

      Email: endorse@gmu.edu
      Phone: (703) 993-1745
      Fax: (703) 993-2082

DO NOT SUBMIT LOOSE TRANSCRIPTS, All transcripts must be accompanied by Endorsement Review Cover Sheet.

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