Program Details
Program Details

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. 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
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Program Web Page
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External Link
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 via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
  • Students are strongly encouraged to attempt the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) prior to transferring.
  • 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
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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
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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?
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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
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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 470+ 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
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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
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences in Education AssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Science, Major in Special EducationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Online
Mary Baldwin UniversityBachelor of Arts in Special EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearOnline, Hybrid
Old Dominion UniversitySpecial Education-BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Online
Marymount University Special Education (K-12) (BA)BachelorBachelor of Art4-YearIn-Person
Bluefield UniversityBS in Special EducationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityEducation in Special Education and Teaching, Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science in Education4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversitySpecial Education and Teaching with concentration in Early Childhood, Bachelor of Science in EducationBachelorBachelor of Science in Education4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityApplied History Social Sciences (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityInterdisciplinary History and Integrative Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityInterdisciplinary History and Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityInterdisciplinary Mathematics & Teacher Preparation (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
25-2059.01Adapted Physical Education SpecialistsProvide 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
25-2059.00Special Education Teachers, All OtherAll special education teachers not listed separately.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2056.00Special Education Teachers, Elementary SchoolTeach 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
25-2055.00Special Education Teachers, KindergartenTeach 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
25-2057.00Special Education Teachers, Middle SchoolTeach 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
25-2051.00Special Education Teachers, PreschoolTeach 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
25-2058.00Special Education Teachers, Secondary SchoolTeach 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
25-9043.00Teaching Assistants, Special EducationAssist 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
Cost To Complete
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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

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 $1,914 Per Semester $15,312 0 $15,312 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 $159.50 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.