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
    • UTEEM triple Licensure Program
    • 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 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 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:
      GMU Endorsement Specialist
      4400 University Dr. MS 4B4
      Fairfax, VA 22030
      (703) 993-9712 (fax)
      Robinson A Room A307
      e-mail: 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.

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:
Endorsement Specialist
George Mason University
4400 University Dr.
MS 4B4
Fairfax, VA 22030
Fax: 703-993-9712
Email: endorse@gmu.edu

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

Please allow time for processing.

College Verification- For all Licensure Program Completers,

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 Licensure Specialist with a completed licensure application packet which includes the following:

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

Optional Meritorious New Teacher Designation Application - (http://www.aacte.org/mntc/)

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

    1. Addition of endorsement fee - $25 (checks written to Treasurer of VA)
    2. A written memo requesting that the new endorsement be added to your current license.
    3. Official Transcripts (from GMU).
    4. College Verification Form (complete part I).
    5. 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:

George Mason University
Attn: Joanna Bosik
4400 University Dr., MSN 4B4
Fairfax, VA 22030

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