Program Details

Special Education, BSEd

Bachelor of Science in Education

George Mason University

Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center.

George Mason Special Education BSEd Transfer Guide

If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.

This bachelor's degree is designed to prepare both educators for the classroom and individuals working in a special education context outside of the classroom with the specialized skills and content knowledge needed to support the needs of individuals with disabilities. Students may focus their program on a specific area in the field by completing a teacher licensure concentration (i.e., Teaching Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum K-12, Teaching Students with Disabilities who Access the Adapted Curriculum K-12, Teaching Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments PK-12) or a non-licensure sequence to fulfill the requirements for the BSEd in Special Education degree program.

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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Delivery Mode

In-Person

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Delivery Mode

Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree	Students in our program enjoy working with diverse student or adult populations and want to support the needs of individuals with disabilities. Our program prepares you to support the next generation and the community, with specific focus on working with students across their K-12 academic career. Classes and field observations are scheduled during the day along with a full semester of student teaching in the final semester. Students who need more flexible scheduling options, such as those working in schools already, can pursue this field through the Accelerated Master’s in Special Education with an individualized undergraduate degree. Contact speced@gmu.edu for details. The licensure concentrations will require completion of state-mandated licensure exams, which must be passed prior to applying for student teaching internship. Students may choose from three licensure areas: PK-12 Blindness & Visual Impairments, K-12 Adapted Curriculum, or K-12 General Curriculum.
Program Requirement Notes	Program Requirement Notes https://catalog.gmu.edu/colleges-schools/education-human-development/school-education/special-education-bsed/#requirementstext
Considerations When Selecting Courses	Consider taking introductory teaching and/or special education courses. Connect with the Special Education program prior to transfer: speced@gmu.edu. 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 Connect with an advisor at your community college and George Mason University within your first year
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses	Students must earn a C or better in all courses for licensure. Students pursuing teacher licensure must maintain an overall 2.5 GPA and pass all Commonwealth of Virginia mandated tests for their licensure area. Students must complete a full semester internship. Student pursuing licensure complete two 8-week internships, one at the elementary and one at the secondary (middle/high) level.
Doing More With Your Degree	Specialize in an area such as autism, applied behavior analysis, or leadership or earn an additional teaching endorsement by first getting your Bachelor's degree in special education, and then a Master's degree through the Accelerated Master’s pathway. After a few years of experience teaching, you can serve as a mentor teacher for new teachers-in-training.
Program Successes & Highlights	Special Education teachers are in high demand. Our graduates find jobs! All three licensure concentrations are pre-approved by Virginia Dept. of Education to meet state teacher licensure requirements. We have a high national ranking by US News & World Report. Many of our graduates are now teaching successfully in local school systems. Mason houses both Mason LIFE, a program providing a supportive academic environment for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities. Our undergraduates can often be found working on projects done by these leading organizations, giving them valuable real-world experience.

Program Credit Requirements

Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:

Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.

If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs

Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between George Mason University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

Institution Name	Type	Title
Richard Bland College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Blue Ridge Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Central Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Danville Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Mountain Gateway Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Eastern Shore Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Germanna Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Brightpoint Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Laurel Ridge Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Mountain Empire Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
New River Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Northern Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Paul D. Camp Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Patrick & Henry Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Piedmont Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Rappahannock Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Southside Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Southwest Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Tidewater Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Virginia Peninsula Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Virginia Highlands Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Virginia Western Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Wytheville Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement

You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	Transfer associate degree completion is recommended. RBC and VCCS students completing A.A., A.A.& S., A.F.A, or A.S. degrees receive a lower-level Mason Core waiver.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School	Students who earn an associate degree through high school dual enrollment should still apply as freshmen and are not eligible for GAA. College coursework will be evaluated for transferable course credit.
Credit for Prior Learning	https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now/how-apply/transfer/transfer-credit-policy
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: George Mason University

College Level Information

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	George Mason University welcomes 4,500 new transfers each year. Our students enroll from all over the Commonwealth, all 50 states, and more than 130 countries. Transfer students are encouraged, but not required to join our residential campus community of 6,300 students. Mason transfers thrive in any number of the 400+ academic, cultural, or social student organizations.
Transfer Student Catalog Year	Determined by first semester of enrollment
First Year Student Catalog Year	Determined by first semester of enrollment
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	https://go.gmu.edu/GAA

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
James Madison University	Bachelor of Science, Major in Special Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person, Online
Old Dominion University	Special Education-BS	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person, Online
Emory & Henry University	Interdisciplinary History and Integrative Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Emory & Henry University	Interdisciplinary History and Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Emory & Henry University	Interdisciplinary Mathematics & Teacher Preparation (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences in Education	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Science in Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Mary Baldwin University	Bachelor of Arts in Special Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	Online, Hybrid
Marymount University	Special Education (K-12) (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Art	4-Year	In-Person
Bluefield University	BS in Special Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person
Virginia Commonwealth University	Special Education and Teaching, Bachelor of Science in Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science in Education	4-Year	In-Person
Virginia Commonwealth University	Special Education and Teaching with concentration in Early Childhood, Bachelor of Science in Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science in Education	4-Year	In-Person
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Education	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Blue Ridge Community College	Associate of Science in Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Mountain Gateway Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Eastern Shore Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Education	Associate	Associate in Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Education, Elementary Education Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Education, Health and Physical Education Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Education, Secondary English Education Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Education, Secondary Math Education Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Education, Secondary Science Education Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Education, Secondary Social Studies Education Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Education, World Languages Education Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
New River Community College	Associate of Science in Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Architecture Technology, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Automotive Technology, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Education, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Piedmont Virginia Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Science in Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate in Science - Education	Associate	Associate of Fine Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - Education Degree Elementary Education Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - Education Degree Middle/Secondary Education Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - Education Degree Special Education Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
James Madison University	Bachelor of Science, Major in Elementary Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person
James Madison University	Bachelor of Science, Major in Inclusive Early Childhood Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	Hybrid, Online
James Madison University	Bachelor of Science, Major in Secondary Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person
James Madison University	Bachelor of Science, Major in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person
James Madison University	Bachelor of Science, Major in Middle Grades Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person
University of Lynchburg	BA in Educational Studies - Disability Studies Emphasis	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
University of Lynchburg	BA in Educational Studies - Elementary Education Emphasis	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
University of Lynchburg	BA in Educational Studies - Health and Physical Education Emphasis	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Old Dominion University	Early Childhood Education-BS	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person
Old Dominion University	Elementary Education-BS	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person, Online
Old Dominion University	Career & Technical Educ-BS	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person, Online
Ferrum College	B.S. in Health and Physical Education (PreK-12)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Randolph College	Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person
Germanna Community College	Associate of Science in Education Degree	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Emory & Henry University	Interdisciplinary English Teacher Preparation (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Randolph-Macon College	Education Studies (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	BS in Education-Secondary Educ in Career and Technical Education - Agricultural Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education	4-Year	In-Person
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	BS in Education-Secondary Educ in Career and Technical Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education	4-Year	In-Person
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	BS in Education in Elm Ed in Elementary Education (PK-6)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education	4-Year	In-Person
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	BA in Education-Secondary Educ in English Language Arts Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts in Education in Secondary Education	4-Year	In-Person
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	BA in Education-Secondary Educ in History and Social Sciences Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts in Education in Secondary Education	4-Year	In-Person
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	BS in Education-Secondary Educ in Mathematics Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education	4-Year	In-Person
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	BS in Education-Secondary Educ in Technology Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education	4-Year	In-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Science in Education Degree	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Mountain Empire Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
The University of Virginia's College at Wise	Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Elementary Education	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Central Virginia Community College	AS in Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Rappahannock Community College	Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Criminal Justice Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community College	Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Psychology Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community College	Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Social Work Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
25-9043.00	Teaching Assistants, Special Education	Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-1081.00	Education Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-9042.00	Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education	Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2059.01	Adapted Physical Education Specialists	Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2059.00	Special Education Teachers, All Other	All special education teachers not listed separately.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2056.00	Special Education Teachers, Elementary School	Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2055.00	Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten	Teach academic, social, and life skills to kindergarten students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2057.00	Special Education Teachers, Middle School	Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2051.00	Special Education Teachers, Preschool	Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2058.00	Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

Cost To Complete

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 120 credits remaining to be completed

Residence State

Delivery Mode

Service Member?

Service Status *

Branch

GI Bill (for Spouses/Dependants)

Disability Discharge

Residence City

Hours to Complete Degree *

Minimum Term of Active Duty

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at George Mason University These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category	Cost	Basis	Cost (To You)	Estimated Benefits	Net Cost	Notes
Tuition	$5,196	Per Semester	$41,568	$0	$41,568	Flat rate semester tuition for full time status of 12 - 15 credit hours. For less than 12 credit hours, tuition is $433.00 per credit hour. Credit hours over 15 are also charged the same per-credit tuition.
Fees
Mandatory Student Fee	$1,962	Per Semester	$15,696	0	$15,696	Flat rate semester mandatory student fee for full time status of 12 - 15 credit hours. For less than 12 credit hours, mandatory student fee is $163.50 per credit hour. Credit hours over 15 are also charged the same per-credit fee.

*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.

Tuition & Fee Notes:

Additional Fees
- New student fee is $275 for transfer students or $350 for freshman.
  Additional course fees vary. For more information about course and program fees, visit: https://studentaccounts.gmu.edu/tuition-fees.
  Housing, dining, and parking fees may also apply. For more detailed cost information, visit:
  George Mason Cost of Attendance

Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:

You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.