College of Education and Human Development

Undergraduate Teaching Degrees

FAIRFAX, Va. – Beginning this fall, George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development will offer three undergraduate teaching degrees.

Bachelor of science in education (BSEd) degrees in special education, elementary education, and early childhood education for diverse learners will be available at George Mason when the fall semester begins Aug. 26.

“We’re thrilled to offer for the first time in many years the opportunity for our undergraduate students to enroll in a major program of study in education and to complete their undergraduate studies in this field while also earning a license to teach in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” CEHD Dean Mark Ginsberg said.

The three undergraduate degrees were approved on June 20 by the Virginia Board of Education, following approval by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) on May 20 and recommendation of the Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure (ABTEL).

George Mason is one of seven public universities in Virginia that were approved to add undergraduate teaching degrees. The decision to offer undergraduate programs is an attempt to address a shortage of teachers in not only Virginia but nationwide.

Ginsberg hopes the addition of undergraduate programs will encourage prospective students to enroll at the undergraduate level and that they will continue to pursue a master’s degree in education from Mason’s Graduate School of Education, which is ranked as a top tier graduate school for education by the U.S. News and World Report.

“Schools throughout Virginia and across the nation continue to be challenged by a shortage of qualified teachers available to enter the classrooms of our state and work with the children and students of the Commonwealth,” Ginsberg said. “These programs will provide an opportunity for students to be trained in the very best way possible and be prepared to enter Virginia’s classrooms ready to meet the challenges of teaching and ready to assist and support their students in their learning and development.”

Interested prospective and current students should direct inquiries about any of these programs to preteach@gmu.edu or call 703-993-2892.