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:

    • Secondary Education (History/Social Sciences, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, and Mathematics)
    • Elementary Education
    • Foreign Language
    • FAST TRAIN Elementary Education

Note: Although not required for admission, master's applicants interested in pursuing licensure are urged to complete an endorsement review for Early Childhood Education for Diverse Learners as early as possible. An endorsement review is required to add a secondary certificate Early Childhood Elementary licensure program.

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 (and prior to Methods II for Secondary Ed students). 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: Applicants who wish to teach Foreign Language should contact Program Office Manager, Stephanie Turner, at sszkutak@gmu.edu or 703-993-7611 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
      Thompson Hall, Room 2306

      E-mail: 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:

To have your endorsement form updated, please log in to your endorsement account and enter any courses or CLEP exams that you have completed. You may also enter any course work that is currently "In Progress" by entering the intended completion date of the course. Students are encouraged to update their review after every semester!

    • 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
      Thompson Hall, Room 2306

      E-mail: 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.

Please allow time for processing.