Bachelor of Science in Education in Inclusive Early Childhood Education

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for EDUCATION

Transfer Guidance

Transfer Admission Requirements

• Transfer applicants must present a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

• Prior to applying, VCCS applicants must complete an English composition equivalent to ENGH 101 (ENG 112). Students may provide secondary school coursework or test scores demonstrating English language proficiency.

• Prior to applying, VCCS applicants must complete a college-level math course.

• GAA applicants must present a minimum 2.85 cumulative GPA. For more information about Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements, visit: https://www.vccs.edu/transfer-programs/

Important Links & Dates

• Office of Transfer Services: https://www.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now/how-apply/transfer/office-transfer-services

• Admission Application: By Oct 1 or March 1 at https://www.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now

• Financial Aid: https://www.gmu.edu/financial-aid

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: March 1 for Fall admission and October 1 for Spring admission at studentaid.gov

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org

• Connect with an advisor at your community college within your first year. College connect available in your account of www.TransferVirginia.org

• Most of the general education classes are also needed to fulfill Content Area Endorsement courses for licensure. Review those requirements here: https://education.gmu.edu/teacher-track/content-area-review/.

• Connect with pre-education advisors at George Mason prior to transfer: https://education.gmu.edu/teacher-track-office/team.

• After you transfer to George Mason, work closely with the George Mason Early Childhood Education advisor regarding the courses you will need to take for your chosen concentration/pathway. Options include (a) Without Concentration (Non-Licensure), (b) Concentration in Early/Primary Education PreK-3 (Licensure), (c) Concentration in Early Childhood Special Education (Licensure), or (d) Concentration in Early Childhood Special Education and Early/Primary Education PreK-3 (Dual Licensure).

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• This program is for those who wish to work with young children, birth to age 8 (third grade), and their families who bring diverse cultural, racial, linguistic, ability, and socio-economic backgrounds to early childhood education settings.

• We offer daytime and evening classes in face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats. Students in this program can opt to attend part time or full time.

• A full-time internship will be required in the final semester. For those enrolled in a licensure concentration, this internship is student teaching in a public school.

• The licensure concentrations will require completion of state-mandated licensure exams, which must be passed prior to applying for student teaching internship.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Students who complete a VCCS transfer associate degree (AS, AA, AA&S, & AFA) will receive a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower division) Mason Core general education categories. To be eligible for the waiver, the students must provide the George Mason Office of Admissions with a final, official transcript reflecting the degree conferral date. As a prerequisite for ENGH 302, ENGH 101 is not waived. Students must complete ENGH 100 or ENGH 101, or an equivalent, with a C or higher.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: Applicants are required to apply as freshman

• Credit for Prior Learning: Credit by exam may be used to fulfill General Education and/or major requirements. See: https://www.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now/how-apply/transfer/transfer-credit-policy

• Catalog Year: Catalog year determined by first term of attendance at George Mason.

Is This College Right For Me?

• Located in Fairfax within the National Capital Region. George Mason enrolls 26,000 undergraduate students, in 80 in-demand majors, from 50 states and 130 countries.

• 4,000 new transfer students choose George Mason each year. George Mason is consistently ranked as one of the most diverse universities in the U.S.

• Transfer students are welcome to live among our 7700-student residential community or off-campus. The Office of Contemporary Student Services is dedicated to the support of off-campus transfers.

• 66% of George Mason students receive financial aid

• 22 Division I men’s and women’s teams and 475+ student organizations

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org

Did You Know That…

• We also offer a bachelor’s to accelerated Master’s (BAM) option for Early Childhood Education.

• It is possible to earn both the BSEd and MED with concentration in Early Childhood Education for Diverse Learners or Early Childhood Special Education within an accelerated time frame.

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at: TransferVirginia.org

• Obtain a Virginia license to teach Early/Primary Education PreK-3 and/or Early Childhood Special Education (Birth – Age 5).

Program Successes & Highlights

• Our program has strong partnerships with multiple local school districts, private schools, early care and education centers, community and government agencies, and professional organizations.

• Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education teachers are in high demand; our graduates all find jobs in the field.

• Our student population is culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse.

Do More With Your Degree!

• Earn a master’s degree later to specialize and expand your career options within the field.

• After teaching a few years, you can become a mentor teacher for the program if you stay in Northern Virginia.

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• Students pursuing a licensure concentration must earn a C or better in all major courses and Content Area courses.

• Students pursuing a licensure concentration must maintain an overall 2.5 GPA and pass all Commonwealth of Virginia mandated tests for licensure area. Students not pursuing licensure must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

• Students pursuing the Early/Primary Education PreK-3 Licensure should meet with a George Mason Content Area Advisor prior to their first semester at George Mason: https://cehd.gmu.edu/endorse