Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Elementary 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 provides teacher candidates with the specialized knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to meet the educational needs of students in grades PreK-6. The robust, well-rounded program of study includes general and content-specific methods courses designed to prepare reflective teachers who are responsive to students’ diverse needs and ready to advance the 21st Century classroom. A strong partnership with local PK-6 schools ensures that teacher candidates are immersed in classroom settings with elementary students throughout their teacher preparation program. Graduates recognize and adapt to students’ needs, interests and readiness levels through innovative, research-based pedagogical practices.


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
  • Our graduates are reflective teachers who are responsive to their elementary-aged (PK-6) students' diverse needs, are well versed in research-based pedagogical practices, and are ready to advance the twenty-first-century classroom.
  • After official admission to the major, students spend their last two years as part of a cohort, completing a prescribed sequence of upper-level ELED courses that are offered once a year in either the fall or spring. The structure of this program works for students who can enroll full-time and complete the majority of their courses during the day.
  • Students who need to take classes part-time or who need all evening classes, should pursue the ELED Bachelor's to Accelerated Master's (BAM) program instead.
  • Students will need to pass all mandatory state licensure exams prior to completing the student teaching internship.
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    Program Requirement Notes
    Program Requirement Notes

    https://catalog.gmu.edu/colleges-schools/education-human-development/school-education/elementary-education-bsed/#requirementstext
    Considerations 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
    • 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 must earn a C or better in all major courses and Content Area courses.
    • Students must maintain an overall 2.5 GPA and pass all Commonwealth of Virginia mandated tests for licensure area.
    • Students are strongly encouraged to attempt the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) prior to transferring
    • Students must complete the application to the major process prior to transferring for the fall. For more information about the application, see: https://education.gmu.edu/elementary-education/current-student-information/application-to-the-major
    • Students must meet with a Mason Content Area Advisor prior to completing the application to the major: https://cehd.gmu.edu/endorse
    Doing More With Your Degree Earn an additional teaching endorsement or continued professional development by first getting your Bachelor's degree in elementary 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 We’re a Professional Development School (PDS) program with strong partnerships with multiple local school districts. Elementary teachers are in high demand; our graduates all find jobs in the field. We have a high national ranking by US News & World Report.
    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
    Hollins UniversityBA in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
    Eastern Shore Community CollegeEarly Childhood Education, AASAssociateAssociate in Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in K-8 EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Teacher EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Teacher Education - Secondary Mathematics SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Secondary Teacher Education (English/History)AssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Northern Virginia Community CollegeEarly Childhood Development, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    Northern Virginia Community CollegeEducation, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
    Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
    Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences in Education AssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person
    Rappahannock Community CollegeAA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-Teacher Preparation Elementary (PreK-6) SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science/EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
    Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science/Math EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
    Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Science/EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
    Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
    Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Social Sciences - Education SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    James Madison UniversityBachelor of Science, Major in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Science in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    University of LynchburgBS in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in Education StudiesBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in Special EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Mary Baldwin UniversityBachelor of Arts in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearHybrid
    William & MaryElementary Education - Bachelor of Arts in EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts in Education4-YearIn-Person
    Old Dominion UniversityElementary Education-BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Online
    University of Mary WashingtonBachelor of Science in Elem EdBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Marymount University Elementary Education (PK-6) (BA)BachelorBachelor of Art4-YearIn-Person
    Bridgewater CollegeLiberal Studies Major - BA (Licensure Track)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Bridgewater CollegeLiberal Studies Major - BA (Non-Licensure Track)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Education Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Education4-YearIn-Person
    Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Education Elementary Education Special Ed K-6BachelorBachelor of Education4-YearIn-Person
    Bluefield UniversityBS in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Online
    Ferrum CollegeB.S. in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    Virginia Commonwealth UniversityElementary Education and Teaching, Bachelor of Science in EducationBachelorBachelor of Science in Education4-YearIn-Person
    Randolph-Macon CollegeElementary Education (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Randolph-Macon CollegeExceptional Education (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Careers Where This Degree Applies
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    O*Net Code Name Description Parent
    25-1081.00Education Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach 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
    25-2021.00Elementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationTeach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.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.