Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning Program Overview, College of Education and Human Development, George Mason University

1. ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING (ASTL) PROGRAM
College of Education and Human Development
Division of Advanced Professional Teacher Development & International Education

2. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
In these slides…
• Program Overview
• Mission
• Core Values
• Program Outcomes
• Professional Dispositions
• Program Structure & Advising
• Course Sequence & Registration

3. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
George Mason University
College of Education & Human Development
Graduate School of Education
Division of Advanced Professional Teacher
Development & International Education
Advanced Studies in Teaching & Learning
Location of ASTL in George Mason University organization

4. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
ASTL Faculty & Staff
Faculty
Dr. Stephanie Dodman, ASTL Academic Program Coordinator
Dr. Nancy Holincheck, ASTL Academic Program Coordinator
Dr. Rebecca K. Fox, APTDIE Division Director
Affiliated Faculty: https://gse.gmu.edu/advanced-teaching-studies/current-
student-information
Professional Staff
Marie Champagne, Coordinator of Student Services
Felicita Minionis, Administrative Coordinator
Rose Saunders, Administrative Support Manager

5. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
ASTL Program Overview
Description
The ASTL program offers practicing teachers the
opportunity to develop as student centered teacher
leaders who are change-agents in their schools. The
program is designed to deepen teacher content
knowledge and research skills, as well as increase
their understanding of student learning, assessment,
and methods that meet students’ individual learning
needs.
Degree
MEd: Curriculum & Instruction
Profile
https://gse.gmu.edu/advanced-teaching-studies/

6. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
ASTL Mission
To develop the content, pedagogical content knowledge, leadership skills, and
research capacity of practicing teachers who want to take an inquiry stance on
their educational practice and lead from the classroom as they contribute to on-
going school improvement and educational change.

7. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
Curriculum
The ASTL Curriculum is grounded in the Five Core Propositions of the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

8. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
Core Values
ASTL Core Values are aligned with the
Core Values of the George Mason’s
College of Education:
• Social Justice
• Research-Based Practice
• Ethical Leadership
• Collaboration
• Innovation

9. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
Learning Outcomes
What Teachers Should Know & Be Able To Do
1. Teachers are committed to students and their learning
2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students
3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning
4. Teachers are committed to students and their learning
5. Teachers are members of learning communities
The Five Core Propositions of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
6. Teachers account for the needs of culturally, linguistically, and cognitively diverse
learners.
7. Teachers are change agents, teacher leaders, and partners with colleagues.
8. Teachers use technology to facilitate student learning and their own professional
development and educational change.
Along with three additional propositions
Make up our 8 program learning outcomes

10. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
ASTL fosters the following advanced
professional dispositions deemed
essential for educators.
Commitment to …
• The Profession and Continuous Improvement
• Democratic Values and Social Justice
• Honoring Professional Ethical Standards
• Key Elements of Professional Knowledge and
Skills
• International Mindedness and Global Citizenry

11. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
ASTL Program Structure
Two Major Components
Concentration
18 – 21 Credits
Concentration classes focus
on specific content area
ASTL Core
12 Credits
Core classes focus on
research and pedagogy

12. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
Concentrations
Areas of Concentration ASTL Core
• Inquiry into Practice (2)
• How Students Learn (3)
• Designing & Assessing Teaching & Learning (2)
• Education & Culture (3)
• Educational Change (2)
• Advanced International Baccalaureate
• Designing Digital Learning in Schools
• Diversity & Exceptionality in PK-12 Schools
• Early Childhood Education
• Foreign Language: French
• Foreign Language: Spanish
• Gifted Child Education
• History
• Individualized Concentration
• Literacy K-12 Reading Specialist
• Literacy PK-12 Classroom
• Mathematics: Elementary
• Physical Education
• Science K-12
• Science, Technology, Engineering, &
Technology (STEM)
• Special Education
• Teacher Leadership
Click here to go to
the Concentration
list with
descriptions.

13. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
ASTL CORE
Through the Education “Core,” ASTL develops teachers as researchers who
approach their classrooms as laboratories for studying and understanding:
• How students learn
• How to design instruction that meets the needs of all learners
• How to assess student learning through multiple approaches
• How cultural and linguistic factors affect student learning and school climate
• How they can be change agents for equity and leaders in their schools

14. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
ASTL Advising
Each student is assigned a concentration
advisor specific to your specialty area and has
a professional academic advisor.
Concentration Advisor
• Questions regarding specific concentration
class requirements
• Concentration course scheduling
• Substituting a given concentration class for
another
Professional Academic Advisor
• Graduation and degree progress
• Registration details for Core courses
• Paperwork for re-enrollment or course
transfers

15. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
Course Format Options
• Face-to-face and Online classes available for Core courses and some
Concentrations. Several concentrations are available fully online.
• Most face-to-face classes are on Fairfax campus in the evening
• Online courses
• These courses are highly interactive and will include both synchronous
and asynchronous online class meetings
• For online courses, online synchronous class meetings are scheduled by
individual professors each semester.

16. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
Scheduling
Completion Options
• Timeline for completion of Concentration
and Core courses is flexible. Concentration
courses may be completed in their entirety
before Core classes OR taken in tandem
with Core classes.
• We highly recommend taking EDUC 612
(the first Core course) your first summer
semester.
• A program of study will be created in
consultation with your advisor.
• Course substitutions may be made with
preapproval of advisor

17. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
Core: Course Descriptions
EDUC 612: Inquiry Into Practice
Experience using research skills & developing critical reflective practice for inquiry into classroom practice
EDUC 613: How Students Learn
Advanced course using research and developmental and learning theories to understand how students learn
EDUC 614: Designing & Assessing Teaching & Learning
Advanced course using research and developmental and learning theories to understand more deeply the teaching
and learning process
EDUC 606: Education & Culture
Use of the Cultural Inquiry Process (CIP) supports teachers as they conduct culturally- and linguistically-focused
classroom inquiry and acquire multiple perspectives, analyze settings, and expand culturally responsive pedagogy
and teaching strategies for use in today’s increasingly diverse classrooms
EDUC 615: Education Change (Capstone Course)
Explores influences on educational change at the classroom, school, community, state, and national levels;
emphasizes the role of teachers as leaders. The ASTL Portfolio is presented at the conclusion of EDUC 615.

18. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
Courses Months
J J A S O N D J F M A M
EDUC 612 Inquiry into Practice
(2 credits) F2F/Online
EDUC 613 How Students Learn
(3 credits) F2F/Online
EDUC 614 Designing & Assessing
Teaching & Learning
(2 credits) F2F/Online
EDUC 606 Education and Culture
(3 credits) F2F/Online
EDUC 615 Educational Change
(2 credits) F2F/Online
Core: Year-Long Schedule

19. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
Class Term Format Prerequisite (completed before)
EDUC 612
(2 credits)
Summer only Online or Face to Face Admission to ASTL Program
(late June –late July). Pre-requisite for all following
Core courses- MUST TAKE BEFORE OTHER CORE
COURSES
EDUC 613
(3 credits)
Fall only Online or Face to Face EDUC 612 (pre-req)
EDUC 614
(2 credits)
Fall only Online or Face to Face EDUC 612 (pre-req)
EDUC 613 (pre-req, may be taken concurrently)
EDUC 606
(3 credits)
Spring only Online or Face to Face EDUC 612 & EDUC 613 (pre-req)
EDUC 615
(2 credits)
Spring only Online or Face to Face EDUC 612, EDUC 613, EDUC 614 (pre-req)
EDUC 606 (pre-req, may be taken concurrently). To
be taken in the final spring semester of coursework
Core: Classes at a Glance

20. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
Program of Study Form
Each student completes in
consultation with advisor.
This is a working
document that provides a
roadmap through your
program.

21. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
• Register for all courses via Patriot Web (patriotweb.gmu.edu)
• You will receive notifications when registration is open for a given term.
• Step-by-step instructions on how to register can be found at:
http://registrar.gmu.edu/topics/registration-guide/
• Register early to ensure you get a seat in your desired classes
• Review your Program of Study carefully; make sure you are following
prerequisites.
• Note deadlines for tuition payment, add, and drop registration deadlines at
http://registrar.gmu.edu/calendars/
Course Registration

22. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
Important Notes
• Plan to begin the ASTL Core in your first
Summer semester (EDUC 612), if possible.
• Evaluate your learning needs to determine if
Distance Learning or Face-to-Face courses are
an ideal learning format for you.
• See the George Mason University website for
additional information regarding:
• Joan Packer Isenberg Endowed
Scholarship available for ASTL students
• Tuition discounts available for Virginia
educators and out-of-state students

23. G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
ASTL Contact Information
Academic Advisor
Marie Champagne
703-993-3173
mchampa4@gmu.edu
Dr. Nancy Holincheck
Academic
Program Coordinator
703.993.8136
nholinch@gmu.edu
Dr. Stephanie Dodman
Academic
Program Coordinator
703.993.3841
sdodman@gmu.edu
Program Website
https://gse.gmu.edu/advanced-teaching-studies/
General Program Email for Inquiries
astl@gmu.edu
Application
https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now