Requirements for Teacher Licensure from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)
- A conferred bachelor's degree in the arts or sciences from a regionally accredited institution. Graduates of foreign institutions of higher education must have an evaluation completed by a VDOE-approved agency.
- Passing scores on Assessment Requirements for Virginia licensure.
- Content area (endorsement) course work. Specific courses in the content area (English, history/social science, mathematics, sciences, elementary, etc.) are required. Students at Mason complete a Content Area Review to ensure completion of the required course work.
- Education course work in the candidate's educator preparation program.
- Clinical Experience: An internship or one year of successful teaching experience. Internship (or student teaching) is offered through Mason's state-approved education preparation programs.
- Emergency First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and the use of Automated External Defibrillators.
- The below linked modules are required and offered, free, through VDOE. Upon completion of the modules, retain a copy of your certificate as proof of completion:
- Behavior Intervention and Support Training Module
- Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing, Reporting, and Responding Training Module
- Dyslexia Awareness Training Module
- Cultural Competency Training Model – a) complete the module through VDOE or b) it may have been built it into your course work via a state-approved education program (check with your institution if you are a transfer student).
George Mason University will verify completion of the requirements of a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) state-approved preparation program at the graduate or undergraduate level. Such verification does not guarantee the issuance of a Virginia Collegiate Professional, Postgraduate Professional, or Pupil Personnel license from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is solely the student's responsibility to comply with all requirements for licensure by the Commonwealth. Under Virginia law, a social security number is required for licensure.
International Admissions
Visa Sponsorship
Our program does not provide visa sponsorship for employment for international students. Visa arrangements must be managed independently. Additionally, international students are required to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover tuition costs in order to obtain a student visa.
Clinical Experiences
Only a limited number of our partner school divisions permit students without a U.S. Social Security Number to complete the required clinical experiences onsite. Access to reliable transportation is essential to complete these placements in the designated divisions. Please note that successful completion of field experiences and internships is mandatory to fulfill degree requirements.
Licensure Eligibility
Virginia state regulations require a valid U.S. Social Security Number to obtain a teaching license and to be employed by Virginia schools. Currently, George Mason University does not offer support services for obtaining a Social Security Number.
We encourage you to consider these factors carefully as you pursue your licensure goals. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or wish to discuss other program options.