The document provides an overview of the Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning (ASTL) program at George Mason University. It describes the program's mission, core values, structure, courses, and admissions process. The program offers a Master of Education degree with various concentration options. It is designed for practicing teachers and consists of 12 credits of core courses focusing on research, pedagogy, and leadership, along with 18-21 credits in the chosen concentration area. The core courses cover topics like how students learn, assessment, education and culture. The program can be completed fully online or through face-to-face instruction.

1. ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING & LEARNING
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
Agenda
• ASTL Program Overview
• Mission
• Core Values
• Program Outcomes
• Professional Dispositions
• Program Structure
• Course Sequence
• Admission Information
• Final Reminders

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
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/academics/masters-in-education-advanced-
international-baccalaureate-concentration

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 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.

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
Curriculum
The ASTL Curriculum is grounded in the Five Core Propositions
of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

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
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

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
ASTL’s Role in Teachers’ Ongoing
Professional Career Development
Current ASTL MEd Future
• Teacher Preparation
• In-School PD
• Classroom Experience
• Advanced Pedagogical
Knowledge
• Advanced Content
Knowledge
• Curriculum Specialist
• School Leader
• Earn National Board
Certification

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
ASTL’s Eight Program Learning Outcomes
What Teachers Should Know & Be Able To Do
• Teachers are committed to students and their learning
• Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to
students
• Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning
• Teachers are committed to students and their learning
• Teachers are members of learning communities
The Five Core Propositions of the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

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
Additional Learning Outcomes
• Teachers account for the needs of culturally, linguistically, and cognitively
diverse learners.
• Teachers are change agents, teacher leaders, and partners with colleagues.
• Teachers use technology to facilitate student learning and their own
professional development and educational change.

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
Features of ASTL
Face-to-Face
and Distance
Learning
formats
available for
Core Courses
VA Educators
receive a 15%
discount off in-
state tuition
rates for PK-12
credit course
Out-of-state
students receive
a 45% discount
off standard
tuition rates

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
18 - 21 Credits
ASTL Core
12 Credits
• 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
• Early Childhood Education
• Foreign Language – French
• Foreign Language – Spanish
• Gifted Child Education (Cohort)
• History
• Individualized Concentration
• Literacy K-12 Reading Specialist
• Literacy PK-12 Classroom
• Mathematics Elementary
• Mathematics – Middle/Secondary (Cohort)
• Physical Education (Cohort)
• Science K-12
• Special Education
• Teacher Leadership

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
Scheduling
Completion Options:
• Concentration may be completed in their
entirety before CORE classes
• Some concentrations support taking
concentration and CORE classes together
Scheduling of Core and Concentration Classes:
• Most classes in Fairfax campus in the evening
• Contact concentration advisor
• Consult the Program of Study and Advising
Form for suggested course sequence
• Course substitutions may be made with
preapproval of concentration advisor
• Some Concentrations are now fully or
partially online

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 CORE
Through the Education “Core,” ASTL focuses on teachers as researchers who view
their classrooms as a “living laboratory” 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 to become change agents in their schools by cultivating their leadership skills

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
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
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.

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
Courses Months
J J A S O N D J F M A M
EDUC 612 Inquiry into Practice
(2 credits) F2F
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

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
Class Term offered Format Prerequisite (completed before)
EDUC 612
(2 credits)
Summer only Face to Face
only
Admission to ASTL Program
(late June –late July). Pre-requisite for all following
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

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
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

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
Program Planning
Submit to Dr. Fox
rfox@gmu.edu,
Your Advisor, and
Marie Champagne
mchampa4@gmu.edu

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
Admissions Process
Online
Application
admissions.gmu.edu
Goals Statement
Describe why you chose this
program, what you hope to learn
and why now is an ideal time for
you to apply
2 Letters of
Recommendation
Professional references submitted
electronically
Transcripts
Should have overall GPA of 3.0
from undergraduate and/or
graduate institution
Application Fee
$75.00 non-refundable fee paid
online at the time of application
submission
**There are additional requirements for International Students

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
Application Deadlines
ASTL has some flexibility regarding admissions
deadlines, however, the following dates should
be followed to ensure timely receipt of required
materials. Preferred deadlines:
• Spring Start – November 1
• Fall or Summer Start – March 1 Priority,
but will accept later
(through 1 May for summer coursework
activation)
• Final Deadline for Fall start – July 30
(For Fall admission)

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
What Our Students Say…
“Because of my ASTL research, I plan on being a positive change
agent in my field.”
“ASTL helped broaden my understanding of how students learn
holistically.”
“Because of ASTL, I am confident in my leadership, my ability to
conduct research, to be an advocate for students and their families.”

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 Faculty & Staff
Faculty
Dr. Rebecca K. Fox - ASTL, Academic Program Coordinator
Dr. Stephanie Dodman
Dr. Nancy Holincheck
Dr. Anastasia Samaras
Professional Staff
Marie Champagne -Coordinator of Student Services
Cheryl Medina - Administrative Support Manager
Shanon-Rose Griffith - Outreach Coordinator
Andreina Sanchez - APTDIE Administrative Coordinator

24. 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
Next Steps
Office of Admissions
703-993-2892
cehdgrad@gmu.edu
cehd.gmu.edu/admissions
Outreach Coordinator
Shanon-Rose Griffith
703-993-6010 /
703.993.3875
astl@gmu.edu
Dr. Rebecca K. Fox
Professor and Academic
Program Coordinator
703.993.4123
rfox@gmu.edu
Begin Your Online Application Today!
https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now
For More Information
https://gse.gmu.edu/advanced-teaching-studies/