Mason Online

Topic: Education & Learning Science

College Teaching (Graduate Certificate Offered by Higher Education Program)

Program Description

The certificate in College Teaching is designed for graduate students who are planning a career in undergraduate education. The program offers courses that enhance pedagogical skills and explore pedagogical assessment or scholarship with the use of technology in instruction.

Upon completion of the program, students will:

  • Understand and employ effective pedagogical approaches.
  • Become socialized members of a community of higher education professionals.
  • Examine current issues related to existing and emerging technologies for teaching and learning in theory and practice.

Higher Education Administration (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The certificate in higher education administration is designed for individuals who are planning or enhancing a career in a broad range of administrative positions in higher education institutions. The certificate will provide core knowledge for administrative processes in the context of higher education institutions.

The graduate certificate in higher education administration may be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis.

Upon completion of the program, students will:

  • Understand and apply concepts of leadership, administration, and assessment through an interdisciplinary lens within the context of the complex higher education enterprise.
  • Become socialized members of a community of higher education professionals.
  • Understand and employ effective organizational and administrative approaches.
  • Examine current issues related to existing and emerging technologies in theory and practice.
  • Reflect on themselves as cultural beings and analyze how culture and history influence their work in higher education.
  • Value diversity, equity, and inclusion and meet multicultural competencies.
  • Use theory as a base from which to ground the practice of effective and ethical leadership, teaching, and administration.
  • Be prepared to implement programs and services that support institutional mission while adhering to oversight and accountability requirements.

Higher Education and Student Development (MA)

Program Description

The Higher Education Program at George Mason University prepares individuals for positions of leadership in teaching, research, and administration at community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities around the globe. The interdisciplinary, graduate-level curriculum focuses on leadership, the scholarship of teaching and learning, administration, and assessment. This 36 credit hour master’s degree prepares students for positions in academic and student affairs as well as in associations, government agencies, and industries whose activities relate to or impact higher education. Students in the Higher Education Program come from varied professional backgrounds in college teaching, university administration, business, the performing arts, and government, and bring a vast spectrum of experience to their studies.

The degree’s core coursework provides essential knowledge about the higher education enterprise. This includes the evolving nature of higher education and its foundational characteristics, students and their development, the management and administration of programs and services, and data driven practices; all in the context of the digital age. The current digital age provides extensive opportunities to communicate, teach, and learn through digital sources. Core courses provide a foundation in social sciences, quantitative reasoning, history, and digital media (e.g., pre and post refereed web writing, wikis, social media, open source learning, data visualization, digital textbooks, Google resources) with an emphasis on graduates’ capacity to apply course content and build skills to enhance educational opportunities in a budgetary constrained environment.

Foreign Languages (MA)

Program Description

The MA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish offers students an opportunity to study a wide variety of topics from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Coursework includes the academic study of the language, literature, and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world (including the US) as well as applied linguistics, cultural studies, critical pedagogy, film studies, and Latinx studies. Students can choose to simultaneously earn the graduate certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education, which provides expertise on the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cultural characteristics of Spanish-speakers in the US; heritage language educational policy; and social justice-oriented, antiracist approaches to teaching Spanish. Coursework can count for BOTH the MA and the certificate.

Concentrations

  • Spanish

 

Spanish Heritage Language Education (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Graduate Certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education (SHLE) is an innovative interdisciplinary program that prepares educators and affiliated professionals to advocate for heritage speakers of Spanish as well as to design and implement teaching materials and curricula for heritage speakers of Spanish. The SHLE certificate, which can be completed fully online, will provide you with expertise on the educational needs of heritage speakers of Spanish as well as antiracist, social justice-oriented approaches to teaching Spanish. You’ll also learn about current Latinx and Latin American literature, culture, film, and television, and how to effectively incorporate them into Spanish curricula.

Please visit the program page on the Spanish Department website for more information on the program.

Teaching English as a Second Oral Language (MEd)

Program Description

Prepare to teach English in the United States and abroad with culturally responsive and asset-based frameworks through George Mason University’s School of Education online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Our program equips students with the expertise to create inviting classroom environments and engaging English instruction, all while drawing on bi/multilingual learners’ cultural, linguistic, and experiential backgrounds. George Mason’s online TESOL master’s degree program empowers graduates to effectively teach English learners across a variety of contexts around the world.

Join an international community of educators! Graduates of George Mason’s online master’s in TESOL become part of a worldwide community of like-minded scholars and practitioners dedicated to building culturally responsive and engaging learning environments for English learners globally.

Applicants for the online program should apply here.

Read More

Ranked #12 Best Online Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction Programs by U.S. News and World Report, 2023

Learning Online

Learning online in an asynchronous format means that you can complete your degree at times and in locations that are best for you. Avoid commute times or “traditional” classroom hours, so you can complete your degree and advance your career even if you travel for work, have kids at home, or keep a busy non-traditional schedule.

Coursework is delivered through a variety of prepared video lessons, readings, or engagement-oriented learning tasks that you’ll complete by predefined dates, but this doesn’t mean you’ll learn alone. You will participate in discussions with peers and faculty, and get to know each other personally, academically, and professionally.

Faculty act as mentors throughout your program to ensure you’re on the right path to meet your career goals. You’ll get to know them through discussions, one-on-one email correspondence, and their individualized feedback on your coursework.

Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool (https://provost.gmu.edu/licensure) for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.

Master of Learning Design and Technology (MS)

Program Description

Graduate from the online MS in Learning Design and Technology at George Mason University ready to design and implement learning experiences that help people improve their performance with new knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Unlike other degree programs, our core curriculum includes not only the basic competencies set forth by the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction (IBSTPI), but also the advanced and managerial competencies that prepare you for more senior roles.

You can step into new roles like learning or instructional designer, e-Learning developer, and UX designer with your new abilities to:

Read More
  • Analyze and evaluate learning technologies, programs, and trends
  • Collaborate with business leaders and subject matter experts
  • Design and implement new learning solutions
  • Manage projects through their entire life cycle

Build your Own Program: Optional Certificate Add-Ons

Learning design is a rapidly growing industry that applies to all sectors of business. George Mason offers three graduate program options so you can match your academic needs to your career goals:

  • MS in Learning Design & Technology
  • MS in Learning Design & Technology with Learning Technologies Certificate with a Concentration in e-Learning
  • Learning Technologies Certificate with a Concentration in e-Learning

All 15 credits form the Learning Technologies Certificate with a Concentration in e-Learning may be applied to the online Master’s in Learning Design and Technology.

Advanced Studies in Physical Education (MEd)

Program Description

This fully online Concentration in Physical Education is designed for practicing health and physical education teachers with the purpose of advancing their knowledge and teaching/research skills. This Concentration provides course work in physical education research, curriculum development, collaborative supervision, research in pedagogy, and advanced adapted content.

Concentrations

  • Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning: Physical Education

Kinesiology: Tactical Athlete Strength, Conditioning and Injury Prevention (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Tactical Athlete Strength, Conditioning and Injury Prevention Graduate Certificate features a 6 course, 18 credit, 75% online curriculum. The mission of the certificate program is to provide graduates with foundational knowledge, skills and abilities to become leaders in tactical strength, conditioning and injury prevention. The curriculum covers content focused on improving the health, fitness and resiliency of emergency responders (i.e., Tactical Athletes). Upon graduation students will be prepared for a variety of positions (Strength and Conditioning Coach, Athletic Trainer, Health and Fitness Coordinator) or to pursue a graduate degree.

Concentrations

  • Tactical Athlete Strength, Conditioning and Injury Prevention

Literacy Coaching Graduate Certificate

Program Description

The Literacy Coaching concentration of the Literacy/Reading Instruction graduate certificate is designed for current Reading Specialists or others with a strong background in literacy who want to more effectively support teachers’ professional learning, and ultimately student achievement, through literacy coaching. Coursework provides an in-depth understanding of adult learning, effective professional development techniques, strategies for supporting collaboration and communication, using data to foster change, ways to more effectively use technology when working with teachers, and issues of diversity and equity in literacy instruction. For more information, visit cehd.gmu.edu/LiteracyCoaching.