The Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (SEED) program provides students with the specialized knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to meet the educational needs of students in grades 6-12.
 
The comprehensive program of study includes methods courses designed to prepare reflective teachers who are dedicated to knowing their students and their needs. Collaborations and partnerships with Northern Virginia schools ensure secondary education student complete relevant clinical experiences with experienced mentor teachers. Dedicated content area ensure graduates are prepared to employ innovative, research-based pedagogical practices in diverse school settings.
 
The Secondary Education program offers pathways to obtain an initial Virginia license (Collegiate Professional License) to teach biology, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, English, history and social science. The Secondary Education program also offers a non-licensure pathway in Secondary Education Studies.
 

Admissions

Four-Year Students

Students entering as freshmen with an interest in majoring in Secondary Education will apply to Mason and declare the Secondary Education, BSEd with a particular concentration. Prior to initial enrollment, students must meet with their academic advisor and the Associate Director of Pre-Education Advising and Outreach.

Transfer Students

Transfer students with an interest in majoring in the BSEd in Secondary Education and a specific concentration will either apply to Mason and declare the program (if an external to Mason applicant) or file a change of major form (if a current Mason student). Prior to initial enrollment, students must meet with their academic advisor and the Associate Director of Pre-Education Advising and Outreach.

Policies

Students in the BSEd in Secondary Education must maintain at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA and earn a C or better in their program core and concentration coursework. 

In addition to coursework, students in Virginia Department of Education licensure pathways must complete additional licensure requirements to fulfill graduation requirements. See Degree Requirements.

 

Banner Code: E1-BSED-EDSC

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 120

Mason Core

Foundation Requirements:
Written Communication3
Oral Communication3
Quantitative Reasoning3
Information Technology and Computing3
Exploration Requirements:
Arts3
Global Contexts3
Literature3
Natural Science7
Social and Behavioral Sciences3
Global History3
Just Societies
Integration Requirement:
Written Communication3
Advanced Composition (Mason Core)
Writing Intensive (fulfilled by major requirements)
Apex (fulfilled by major requirements)
Total Credits37

Core Requirements

EDRD 419Literacy Across the Disciplines3
SEED 407Assessing Learning and Teaching in the Secondary Classroom3
SEED 408Creating Advocacy with Adolescent Learners3
SEED 409Perspectives on Extraordinary Teaching3
SEED 422Foundations of Secondary Education3
SEED 440Human Development, Learning, and Teaching3
SEED 477Studying Teacher Impact on Student Learning (Mason Core)3
SEED 478Implementing Teacher Impact on Student Learning (Mason Core)3
Total Credits24

Concentration in Secondary Education - Biology (Licensure) (SECB)

SEED 473Teaching Science in the Secondary School3
SEED 483Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in Secondary School3
SEED 494Internship: Secondary Education Science (Mason Core)9
BIOL 102Introductory Biology I-Survey of Biodiversity and Ecology (Mason Core) 14
BIOL 103Introductory Biology II-Survey of Cell and Molecular Biology (Mason Core) 13
BIOL 105Introductory Biology II Laboratory (Mason Core) 11
BIOL 124Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 213Cell Structure and Function3
BIOL 215Cell Structure and Function Laboratory1
BIOL 303Animal Biology4
BIOL 304Plant Biology4
BIOL 308Foundations of Ecology and Evolution3
BIOL 311General Genetics3
BIOL 313General Genetics Laboratory1
BIOL 338Foundations of Ecology and Evolution Laboratory (Mason Core)1
PHYS 103Physics and Everyday Phenomena I (Mason Core) 14
CHEM 211General Chemistry I (Mason Core) 23
CHEM 212General Chemistry II (Mason Core) 23
CHEM 213General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) 21
CHEM 214General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core) 21
CHEM 310Survey of Organic Chemistry3
STAT 250Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) 33
3 credits of GEOL, CLIM, ASTR -prefixed courses or GGS 102 in consultation advisor 43
Total Credits68

Note: Courses within this concentration count for 10 credits of Mason Core. 

1

BIOL 102 BIOL 103, BIOL 105, and PHYS 103 satisfy, in part, the Mason Core Natural Science with lab requirement.

2

CHEM 211, CHEM 212, CHEM 213, CHEM 214 satisfy, in part, the Mason Core Natural Science Overview requirement.

3

STAT 250 satisfies, in part, Mason Core Quantitative Reasoning requirement.

4

GGS 102 satisfies, in part, Mason Core Just Societies, Natural Science Overview, Encore: Sustainability requirement.

Licensure Requirements

Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECB) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:

  • Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation) 

Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia. 

Concentration in Secondary Education - Chemistry (Licensure) (SECC)

SEED 473Teaching Science in the Secondary School3
SEED 483Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in Secondary School3
SEED 494Internship: Secondary Education Science (Mason Core)9
PHYS 243College Physics I (Mason Core) 23
PHYS 244College Physics I Lab (Mason Core) 21
MATH 113Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) 14
MATH 114Analytic Geometry and Calculus II4
CHEM 211General Chemistry I (Mason Core) 23
CHEM 212General Chemistry II (Mason Core) 23
CHEM 213General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) 21
CHEM 214General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core) 21
CHEM 313Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 315Organic Chemistry Lab I2
CHEM 321Quantitative Chemical Analysis4
CHEM 331Physical Chemistry I3
CHEM 332Physical Chemistry II3
CHEM 336Physical Chemistry Lab I (Mason Core)2
CHEM 441Properties and Bonding of Inorganic Compounds3
Select 4 credits of CHEM-prefixed courses4
CHEM 463 General Biochemistry I (recommended)
Total Credits59
1

MATH 113 satisfies the Mason Core Quantitative Reasoning requirement.

2

CHEM 211, CHEM 212, CHEM 213, CHEM 214, PHYS 243 and PHYS 244 satisfy, in part, the Mason Core Natural Science requirement.

Licensure Requirements

Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECC) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:

  • Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation) 

Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia. 

Concentration in Secondary Education - Computer Science (Licensure) (SECO)

SEED 466Teaching Computer Science in Secondary School3
SEED 476Advanced Methods of Teaching Computer Science in the Secondary School3
SEED 496Internship: Secondary Education Computer Science (Mason Core)9
ENGH 101Composition (Mason Core) 13
CS 112Introduction to Computer Programming (Mason Core) 24
CS 211Object-Oriented Programming3
CS 262Introduction to Low-Level Programming3
CS 310Data Structures3
CS 321Software Engineering (Mason Core)3
CS 330Formal Methods and Models3
CS 483Analysis of Algorithms3
MATH 113Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) 34
MATH 114Analytic Geometry and Calculus II4
MATH 125Discrete Mathematics I (Mason Core) 33
MATH 203Linear Algebra3
STAT 250Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)3
or STAT 344 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I
Total Credits57
1

ENGH 101 satisfies the Mason Core Written Communication (lower-level) requirement.

2

CS 112 satisfies the Mason Core Information Technology and Computing requirement.

3

MATH 113 and MATH 125 satisfy the Mason Core Quantitative Reasoning requirement.

Licensure Requirements

Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECO) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:

  • Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation)  

Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia. 

Concentration in Secondary Education - Earth Sciences (Licensure) (SECS)

SEED 473Teaching Science in the Secondary School3
SEED 483Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in Secondary School3
SEED 494Internship: Secondary Education Science (Mason Core)9
ASTR 111The Solar System (Mason Core) 13
ASTR 112The Solar System Lab (Mason Core) 11
GEOL 101Physical Geology (Mason Core) 13
GEOL 102Historical Geology (Mason Core) 13
GEOL 103Physical Geology Lab (Mason Core) 11
GEOL 104Historical Geology Laboratory (Mason Core) 11
GEOL 120The Changing Ocean (Mason Core) 13
GEOL 121The Changing Ocean Laboratory (Mason Core) 11
GGS 309Introduction to Weather and Climate3
Earth Science Electives14
Select 14 credits from the following:
Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe (Mason Core)
Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe Lab (Mason Core)
Environmental Geology (Mason Core)
Invertebrate Paleontology
Hydrogeology
Resource Geology
Planetary Geology
Paleoclimatology
Vertebrate Paleontology (Mason Core)
Coastal Morphology and Processes
Dynamic Geosphere and Ecosphere
Global Environmental Hazards
Physical Climatology
Severe and Extreme Weather
Severe and Extreme Weather
Biogeography
Total Credits48
1

ASTR 111, ASTR 112, GEOL 101, GEOL 102, GEOL 103, GEOL 104, GEOL 120, and GEOL 121 satisfy, in part, the Mason Core Natural Science requirement.

Licensure Requirements

Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECS) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:

  • Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation) 

Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.

Concentration in Secondary Education - English (Licensure) (SECE)

SEED 469Teaching English in Secondary School3
SEED 479Advanced Methods of Teaching English in the Secondary School3
SEED 492Internship: Secondary Education English (Mason Core)9
ENGH 101Composition (Mason Core) 13
ENGH 302Advanced Composition (Mason Core) 23
COMM 100Public Speaking (Mason Core) 33
or COMM 101 Fundamentals of Communication (Mason Core)
or INTS 202 Public Speaking and Critical Thinking Skills (Mason Core)
ENGH 308Theory and Inquiry3
LING 306Introduction to Linguistic Analysis (Mason Core) 43
LING 322English Grammar and Pedagogy3
Select one course from the following:3
Literature of the Middle Ages
English Poetry and Prose of the 16th Century
Introduction to Shakespeare
Studies in Shakespeare
English Renaissance Drama
English Poetry and Prose of the 17th Century
Augustan Age: 1660-1745
Age of Sensibility: 1745-1800
British Novel of the 18th Century
British Poetry of the Romantic Period
Prose and Poetry of the Victorian Period
British Novel of the 19th Century
Select one course from the following:3
Early American Literature
Literature of the American Renaissance
Post-Civil War American Literature, 1865-1920
Development of the American Novel to 1914
Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865
African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903
African American Literature Through 1946
Contemporary African American Literature
Topics in Ethnic American Literature
Contemporary Fiction
Contemporary Poetry
Select one course from the following or a special topics course selected with advisor approval:3
Continental Fiction, 1770-1880
Continental Fiction, 1880-1950
Global Voices (Mason Core)
Postcolonial Literature
The Idea of a World Literature (Mason Core)
World Literatures in English
English Electives9
Young Adult Literature in Multicultural Settings (Mason Core) 5
Select 6 credits of ENGH-prefixed courses
Total Credits51
1

ENGH 101 satisfies the Mason Core Written Communication (lower-level) requirement.

2

ENGH 302 satisfies the Mason Core Written Communication (upper-level) requirement.

3

COMM 100, COMM 101 and INTS 202 satisfy the Mason Core Oral Communication requirement.

4

LING 306 satisfies the Mason Core Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement.

5

SEED 370 satisfies the Mason Core Literature requirement.

Licensure Requirements

Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECE) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:

  • Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation)

Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.

Concentration in Secondary Education - History and Social Science (Licensure) (SECH)

SEED 367Teaching History and Social Science in the Secondary School3
SEED 405Teaching and Learning Difficult Histories3
SEED 467Advanced Methods of Teaching History and Social Science in the Secondary School3
SEED 495Internship: Secondary Education History and Social Science9
ECON 196Special Topics in Economics 33
GGS 102Physical Geography (Mason Core) 23
GGS 103Human Geography (Mason Core) 13
GOVT 103Introduction to American Government (Mason Core)3
RELI 211Introduction to Religions of the "West" (Mason Core)3
or RELI 212 Introduction to Religions of Asia (Mason Core)
Select 3 credits of GOVT-prefixed courses3
HIST 121Formation of the American Republic (Mason Core)3
HIST 122Development of Modern America (Mason Core)3
HIST 125Introduction to Global History (Mason Core)3
HIST 391History of Virginia to 18003
Select 3 credits of Non-US history 3
Total Credits51
1

GGS 103 satisfy the Mason Core Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement.

2

GGS 102 satisfies, in part, the Mason Core Natural Sciences requirement.

3

Must be ECON 196 Economics for Educators course.

Licensure Requirements

Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECH) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:

  • Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation) 

Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.

 Concentration in Secondary Education Studies (Non-Licensure) (SENL)

INTS 420College to Career Skills3
INTS 490Internship6
Select 6 credits from the following:6
Teaching History and Social Science in the Secondary School
Teaching Mathematics in the Secondary School
Teaching Computer Science in Secondary School
Advanced Methods of Teaching History and Social Science in the Secondary School
Teaching English in Secondary School
Advanced Methods for Teaching Mathematics in the Secondary School
Teaching Science in the Secondary School
Advanced Methods of Teaching Computer Science in the Secondary School
Advanced Methods of Teaching English in the Secondary School
Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in Secondary School
Educational Electives
Select 25-26 credits from the following or other education-related classes approved by advisor:25-26
Augmentative Communication
Assistive Technology for Individuals with Sensory Impairments
Accessibility and Input Modifications
Academic Success Through Self-Regulated Learning (Mason Core)
Teaching Students How to Learn
Perspectives on Achievement Motivation (Mason Core)
Introduction to Special Education
Disability in American Culture (Mason Core)
Disability in Global Contexts (Mason Core)
Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (Mason Core)
Characteristics of Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum
Characteristics of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Language Acquisition and Reading and Writing Development
Assessment
Individualized Behavior Supports
Consultation, Collaboration, and IEP Development
Characteristics of Students with Severe Disabilities
Communication and Severe Disabilities
Braille Code
Medical and Educational Implications of Blindness and Visual Impairments
Orientation and Mobility for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Teaching Methods for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Curriculum and Assessment of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Intersectionality and Disability (Mason Core)
Individualized Supports and Specialized Care of Students with Severe Disabilities
Personal Health
School and Community Safety
Introduction to School Health
Teacher: A Historical Perspective
Social Justice Education (Mason Core)
Behavior Modification for Physical Activity
Exercise Physiology I
Teaching Skillful Movement
Net and Target Games
Dance and Educational Gymnastics
Field and Invasion Games
Health and Physical Activity for Classroom Teachers
Young Adult Literature in Multicultural Settings (Mason Core)
Teaching and Learning Difficult Histories
Secondary Education in International Contexts
Total Credits40-41

Note: Students are encouraged to pursue a minor to partially fulfill elective requirements

Electives

Choose 1-23 credits from the university catalog to satisfy the degree/program requirement of 120 credits1-23

Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education Sample Plan of Study

The sample plans below are a recommended sequencing of courses for Secondary Education 6-12 (Licensure) based on specific endorsement areaspre-requisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor and with Patriot Connect Degree Audit to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.

Secondary Education - Biology Licensure

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
BIOL 1024BIOL 1033
EDUC 2003BIOL 1051
ENGH 1013COMM 1013
Information Technology and Computing Course3GGS 1013
Elective (UNIV 100 recommended) 1HIST 1253
 STAT 2503
 14 16
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
BIOL 1244BIOL 3034
BIOL 2133BIOL 3044
BIOL 2151ENGH 3023
Literature Course 3PHYS 1034
BIOL Elective 3 
 14 15
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
BIOL 3113BIOL 3083
BIOL 3131BIOL 3381
CHEM 2113CHEM 2123
CHEM 2131CHEM 2141
SEED 4083SEED 4403
SEED 4093SEED 4733
SEED 4223 
 17 14
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
CHEM 3103Arts Course 3
EDRD 4193SEED 4783
SEED 4073SEED 4949
SEED 4773 
SEED 4833 
 15 15
Total Credits 120

Secondary Education - Chemistry Licensure

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
CHEM 2113CHEM 2123
CHEM 2131CHEM 2141
ENGH 1013COMM 1013
MATH 1134GGS 1013
Information Technology and Computing3PHYS 2433
Elective (UNIV 100 recommended)1PHYS 2441
 15 14
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Arts Course 3CHEM 3313
Literature Course 3CHEM 3362
CHEM 3133EDUC 2003
CHEM 3152ENGH 3023
MATH 1144HIST 1253
 15 14
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
CHEM 3323CHEM 3214
CHEM 4634CHEM 4413
SEED 4083Elective 3
SEED 4093SEED 4403
SEED 4223SEED 4733
 16 16
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDRD 4193SEED 4783
SEED 4073SEED 4949
SEED 4773Elective 3
SEED 4833 
Elective 3 
 15 15
Total Credits 120

Secondary Education - Computer Science Licensure

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
CS 1124COMM 1013
ENGH 1013CS 2113
MATH 1134MATH 1253
Natural Science without Lab3Natural Science with Lab 4
Elective (UNIV 100 recommended) 1Elective 1
 15 14
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Arts Course3CS 2623
Literature Course 3EDUC 2003
GGS 1013ENGH 3023
HIST 1253MATH 2033
MATH 1144STAT 250 or 3443
 16 15
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
CS 3103CS 3213
CS 3303CS 4833
SEED 4083SEED 4403
SEED 4093SEED 4663
SEED 4223Elective 3
 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDRD 4193SEED 4783
SEED 4073SEED 4969
SEED 4773Elective 3
SEED 4793 
Elective 3 
 15 15
Total Credits 120

Secondary Education - Earth Science Licensure

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
ENGH 1013COMM 1013
GEOL 1013GEOL 1023
GEOL 1031GEOL 1041
MATH 106 or EDRS 2203GGS 1013
Information Technology and Computing 3HIST 1253
Elective (UNIV 100 recommended) 1Elective 3
 14 16
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Arts Course 3EDUC 2003
Literature Course 3ENGH 3023
ASTR 1113GGS 3093
ASTR 1121Content Selective 3
Content Selective 3Elective 4
Content Selective 1 
 14 16
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
GEOL 1203SEED 4403
GEOL 1211SEED 4733
SEED 4083Content Selective 3
SEED 4093Content Selective 3
SEED 4223Elective 3
Elective 2 
 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDRD 4193SEED 4783
SEED 4073SEED 4949
SEED 4773Elective 3
SEED 4833 
Elective3 
 15 15
Total Credits 120

Secondary Education - English Licensure

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDUC 2003COMM 1013
ENGH 1013Natural Science without Lab 3
Natural Science with Lab4Global History (HIST 125 recommended) 3
Elective (UNIV 100 recommended)1ENGH Elective 3
Information Technology and Computing 3Global Contexts 3
 14 15
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Arts Course3ENGH 3023
MATH 106 or EDRS 2203LING 3223
SEED 3703ENGH Selective3
ENGH Elective 3ENGH Selective3
Electives 4Elective 3
 16 15
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
LING 3233SEED 4403
SEED 4083SEED 4693
SEED 4093ENGH Selective 3
SEED 4223Elective 3
Elective 3Elective 3
 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDRD 4193SEED 4783
SEED 4073SEED 4929
SEED 4773Elective 3
SEED 4793 
Elective 3 
 15 15
Total Credits 120

Secondary Education - History and Social Science Licensure

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
ENGH 1013COMM 1013
MATH 106 or EDRS 2203GGS 1013
Natural Science with Lab 4GGS 1023
Information Technology and Computing 3HIST 1253
Elective (UNIV 100 recommended)1Electives 4
 14 16
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Arts Course 3ECON 1963
Literature Course 3ENGH 3023
GGS 1033GOVT 1033
HIST 1213HIST 1223
Elective (EDUC 200 recommended)3Non-US History Elective 3
 15 15
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
RELI 211 or 2123HIST 3913
SEED 4083SEED 3673
SEED 4093SEED 4053
SEED 4223SEED 4403
Government Elective 3Elective 3
 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDRD 4193SEED 4783
SEED 4073SEED 4959
SEED 4673Elective 3
SEED 4773 
Elective 3 
 15 15
Total Credits 120