To teach English at the secondary level (grades 6-12 in Virginia), you will need to meet the requirements for a state-issued teaching license.
These courses can be taken at the undergraduate level as part of the BA program at George Mason University. Review Mason's Graduate School of Education (GSE) English Endorsement Requirements Worksheet for Secondary Education, which specifies the kinds of English courses you are expected to take to meet state licensure requirements.
There are two routes to completion of this coursework.
Students may take the required courses in education as undergraduates while completing their BA. They do this in Mason's Undergraduate Studies in Education program. Students who wish to complete this coursework as undergraduates should be sure to meet with an advisor to plan their schedules carefully. See Undergraduate-level Licensure Program in Secondary Education (below) for more information and the application process.
Students may take required courses at the graduate level, following completion of the BA. They do this through Mason's Graduate School of Education's M.Ed./Licensure Program in Secondary Education. Completion of the graduate-level licensure program takes approximately a year after receiving the BA. Students who wish to complete this coursework as undergraduates should be sure to meet with an advisor to plan their schedules carefully. See Graduate-level Licensure Program in Secondary Education below for more information and the application process.
Virginia requires a passing score on the Praxis I exam or documentation of a satisfactory minimum score on the SAT or ACT. This testing requirement must be met prior to participation in the GSE licensure program. The state also requires a passing score on the Praxis II exam in English; this test can be taken after admission to the GSE licensure program but must be passed prior to participation in an internship. See below for information on required tests.
For general information about the Secondary Education Licensure Program at George Mason University, please contact Dr. Linda Rikard, Director of Undergraduate Studies in Education, at 703-993-2026.
For information about the Endorsement Worksheet for licensure in Secondary English, please contact email the Undergraduate Academic Advisor in the College of Education and Human Development, call 703-993-2078, or stop by Robinson A 308.