Elementary Education

PDS Program

For additional information, please visit

Elementary Ed PDS Program Website

REFLECTIVE. RESPONSIVE.

READY.

Mason’s Elementary Education PDS Program prepares

REFLECTIVE teachers who are

RESPONSIVE to students’ diverse diverse needs and

READY to advance the 21st Century

REFLECTIVE. RESPONSIVE. READY.

Program Points of Pride

• 2016 National Association Professional Development Exemplary PDS Program Award

• Award winning early career teachers

• Mason FCPS Early Career Award Winner

• FCPS New Teacher Award

• Partnerships with FCPS, and MPCS

• Exceptional faculty

Program Overview

• DEGREE: M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Elementary Education

• CREDIT HOURS: 45

• LICENSURE: PK-6 Virginia teaching license

• HIGHLIGHTS: • Semester long Internship Program

(part time) or Year long Internship Program (full time)

• Course and field work situated in Professional Development Schools (PDS)

• Field experiences (field work and internship) during school hours each semester

Program Courses

• EDUC 542—Foundations of Elem Education (3 cr)

• EDUC 543—Children, Family…(3 cr)

• EDCI 544—Elementary Curriculum (3 cr)

• EDCI 545—Differentiation/Assessment (3 cr)

• EDCI 555—Literacy Teaching and Learning (3 cr)

• EDCI 552— Mathematics Methods (3 cr)

• EDCI 557—Integrating Technology (3 cr)

• EDCI 556—Literacy Teaching & Learning II (3 cr)

• EDCI 553— Science Methods (3 cr)

• EDCI 554—Social Studies/Fine Arts (3 cr)

• EDCI 559—Research and Assessment (3 credits)

• EDCI 790—Internship in Education (6-12 credits)

• *Two electives (Semester Long program only)

Why Professional Development

Schools?

The Elementary Education Program has a 15+year history in PDS work, and all

placements occur within partner schools in the Mason Elementary PDS Network

Traditional model of teacher preparation:

• Field experiences and the internship are a one-way street where the teacher candidate is the focus of learning—the only person constructing knowledge. And where the school and university are separate entities.

PDS model of teacher preparation:

• Reciprocal learning among all stakeholders enhances student learning --everyone’s ultimate goal. Student learning in this model is a shared enterprise.

Program Option 1

Semester Long

Internship Program

• SUMMER START

• 6 semesters part time

• Two-three courses each semester primarily in the evenings

• 30 field work hours per semester in one of our PDS partner sites

• Spring semester-long internship.

• Two electives

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1st

Program Option 2

Year Long

Internship Program

• FALL START • 6 semesters• 2-3 courses in first two

semesters with approximately 30 field hours in one of our PDS partner sites

• Must be available in May/June prior to start of internship for daytime classes

• Year long internship in final fall and spring semester

• $4500 substitute teaching stipend

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1st

Program Option 3

Year Long Internship Program

Bachelor’s to Accelerated Masters (BAM)

• FALL START • 6 semesters• 2 courses each semester in

undergraduate senior year (4 total courses) plus 30 field hours in one of our PDS partner sites

• 2-3 summer courses for remaining three semesters with 30-45 field hours in one of our PDS partner sites

• Year long internship in final fall and spring semester

• $4500 substitute teaching stipend

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

March 1st

Program Option 4

Year Long Internship Program

• SPRING START • Post baccalaureate and B/AM

• 5 semesters• 3-4 courses each semester with

30-45 field hours in one of our PDS partner sites.

• Year long internship in final fall and spring semester

• Must be available in May/June prior to start of internship for daytime classes

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 1st

Application Eligibility

Applicants must

1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university

2. Have a minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 hrs of undergraduate courseworkExceptions can be made for applicants

with a GPA below 3.0 if all other areas are strong

3. Have passing Praxis Core or equivalent SAT/ACT/VCLA plus Math scores.

4. Complete an official CEHD Endorsement Review to reflect being within nine (9) credits of fulfilling the VA Elementary Ed. PK-6 requirements.

PLEASE NOTE: Undergrad students may apply via the B/AM program

Application Process

• Complete the online application at http://admissions.gmu.edu/ApplyNow/

• Submit • Two SEALED official transcripts from all

colleges and universities. *Applicants do not need to send transcripts for courses taken at GMU.

• 2 letters of recommendation speaking to your academic ability, work ethic, and desire to work with children.

• A 1-2 page goal statement addressing your interests and experiences related to working with children.

• An official CEHD endorsement review.• LINK TO START ENDORSEMENT REVIEW

PROCESS

• Participate in a program interview.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are endorsements and why do I have to take them??

• Endorsements are required by the VA Dept. of Education in order to ensure that a pre-service teacher has the necessary content knowledge in the subjects he/she will be teaching.

• Most endorsement courses/credits are met through undergraduate and/or graduate studies.

How do I know if I still need endorsement courses?

• Contact Mary Slone at endorse@gmu.edu and set up an appointment.

LINK TO START ENDORSEMENT REVIEW PROCESS

What if I still need to complete endorsements?

• Courses can be taken at any 2 or 4 year institution OR students can take a CLEP exam to satisfy some requirements. Contact the Endorsement office and get written documentation prior to taking any class or course.

• All students must be within 9 credits of finishing any outstanding endorsements prior to the start of the program.

Frequently Asked Questions: Required Tests & Equivalents

Praxis Core test scores required

• Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading (5712): 156 passing score

• Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Writing (5722): 162 passing score

• Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics (5732): 150 passing score

SAT equivalent scores required

• SAT test taken after April 1,1995: Score = 1100

Minimum 530 Verbal and 530

Math

• SAT test taken before April 1, 1995: Score = 1000

Minimum 450 Verbal and 510

Math]

ACT equivalent scores required

• ACT test taken after April 1,1995: Score = 24

Minimum 22 (Math)/46 (English

plus Reading)

• ACT test taken before April 1,1995:

Score = 21

Minimum 21 (Math)/37 (English

plus Reading)

Note: ACT scores prior to Fall 1989 will not be accepted as the Reading score was not included before that time.

DISCLAIMER: See

http://cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/test/praxis

VCLA plus Math as a substitute equivalent scores requiredO A composite VCLA score of 470

(reading and writing) may be substituted for the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests: Reading (5712) and Writing (5722) ONLY.

Math proficiency must be demonstrated by one of the following:

O Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics (5732) score greater than or equal to 150

O SAT math score greater than or equal to 510 (prior to April 1, 1995)

O SAT math score greater than or equal to 530 (after April 1, 1995)

O ACT math score greater than or equal to 21 (prior to April 1, 1995)

O ACT math score greater than or equal to 22 (after April 1, 1995)

Frequently Asked Questions: Required Tests & Equivalents

My SAT or ACT scores don’t meet the requirements, and I haven’t taken a Praxis test before, what do I do?

• Register for the Praxis Core test by calling Prometric at (800) 853-6773. Consider taking the VCLA* with Praxis Core Math.

• Note: You will need to schedule your test 2-3 weeks in advance because the slots do fill up quickly.

• Allow yourself the time to take the test again in case you do not receive the minimum scores.

• Note: The passing scores must be received on or before the application deadline. Scores take approximately 3-4 weeks for delivery.

I’ve already taken the SAT/ACT/Praxis Core test and my scores meet the requirements, what do I do?

• Unopened scores of either Praxis, SAT, or ACT should be mailed to the applicant, kept sealed, and then mailed to: Graduate School of Education.

George Mason UniversityCEHD Admissions4400 University Drive, MS 4D1 Fairfax, VA 22030

• Make sure to order 2 copies of your test scores: you will submit 1, unopened, to the George Mason University, and the 2nd you will keep for your records.

* The VCLA is required for the licensure.

Please see the Elementary Ed website for short courses in Praxis CORE and Praxis 2 Content Areas

Important Contact

Information

Dr. Audra Parker (Program Coordinator)

• aparke19@gmu.edu

Mathilde Speier (Program Manager)

• mspeier@gmu.edu

Nicole Mariam (Admissions)

• nwhite5@gmu.edu

Mary Slone (Endorsement Office)

• endorse@gmu.edu

For additional information and drop in

information session office hours, please visit

Elementary Ed PDS Program Website