Training
George Mason University trains current and future professionals to be competent in working in their respective fields with service members, veterans, and their families. Future goals include providing workforce training for service members, veterans, and their families.
Mason Students
Mason has a number of student internships with organizations serving the military/veteran community. Check Handshake for current openings.
- The Department of Psychology currently places multiple clinical psychology doctoral students in Department of Veterans Affairs externships in DC and Baltimore, where they train and work with veterans two days per week for a year.
- The Department of Health Administration and Policy places several Health Administration and Health Informatics graduate students in practica with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Washington DC VA Medical Center.
Professional Development/Continuing Education
In 2012, the College of Education and Human Development joined the Operation Educate the Educator Initiative, a joint commitment across many universities to prepare school personnel to work with military-connected children. In response, faculty in the School of Education developed an online training module to prepare educators to understand the diverse needs of military-connected children in order to better serve their academic and social-emotional needs across school settings. Currently, teacher candidates view this training during their course of study.
In 2019, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), this work was extended and the online training is now offered at TTAC Online for teachers across the state of Virginia, and a requirement for schools seeking their Purple Star Designation from VDOE.
A preview of the modules can be viewed here.
The College of Education and Human Development further offers support to local school districts. Dr. Jennifer Drake Patrick serves on the Military Connected Youth Process Action team in Fairfax County Public Schools and supports their course for teachers about working with military-connected youth.
For further inquiries, contact Jennifer Drake Patrick at jdrakepa@gmu.edu
Recognizing Red Flags of PTSDThe Center for Psychological Services provides annual training in recognizing red flags of PTSD for legal professionals at the Department of Veterans Services benefits conference. It is currently a pro bono service.