Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Science in Education in Special Education and Creative Arts Therapy program leading to an initial/professional certificate in Early Childhood or Childhood through Adolescent developmental levels is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. 15 studio arts s.h. with a representation of drawing, painting and a three-dimensional art form, as well as
2. 12 psychology s.h. in the areas of general, personality theories, development and abnormal
3. Possession of an initial or professional New York State Teacher Certification in: Early Childhood, Childhood, or Adolescent developmental levels (M.S.Ed. must be sought at the same developmental level as the initial certificate. Students who do not possess an initial certificate will need to take additional courses under advisement plus the LAST).
4. A completed application form to a master’s program in Special Education and Creative Arts Therapy;
5. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 and completion of a liberal arts baccalaureate degree;
6. Completion of undergraduate liberal arts content core courses which meet the requirements of New York State teacher certification plus the LAST;
7. Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching of and therapeutic interventions with students with disabilities;
8. A written personal statement of professional intent;
9. A portfolio of no less than 12 pieces;
10. Interview with the program director in Creative Arts Therapy;
11. Interview with the program director in Special Education.

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate’s potential for success in a graduate program. Consequently, candidates are welcome to apply if they do not meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience may compensate. Any student holding no certificate or a provisional certificate and wishing to pursue this degree must be advised as to necessary prerequisites or requirements.

General Education Core Requirements

In order to ensure that prospective teachers have a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences, all students must have completed undergraduate course work from each of the content areas below.
   1.     Artistic Expression/Humanities, 3 s.h.
   2.     Communication, 3 s.h.
   3.     Information Retrieval, (0-3 s.h.; can be satisfied with passing score on exam)
   4.    Historical and Social Science Concepts, 3 s.h.
   5.     Language other than English, (0-3 s.h.; depending on placement)
   6.     Scientific Processes, 3 s.h.
   7.     Mathematical Processes, 3 s.h.
   8.     Written Analysis and Expression, 6 s.h.

Please note that programs may have general education requirements that exceed the minimum registered with the state. Degrees will not be conferred unless all general education core deficiencies have been met.

Program Requirements - Special Education (Early Childhood, Birth-Grade 2)- Semester Hours: 56

A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading to the M.S. in Education in Special Education and Creative Arts Therapy at the early childhood developmental level degree may be completed prior to matriculation in the program.

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in order to remain in the program. Courses in which students receive grades below C- confer no credit toward the graduate degree but are included in the grade point average. The student has the option of earning two master’s by continuing for additional credits, under advisement, in both the areas of Special Education and Creative Arts Therapy.

Program Requirements-Special Education (Childhood-Adolescent, Grades 1-12) - Semester Hours: 57

Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 51 s.h. of Creative Arts Therapy and Special Education requirements for the M.S. in Education in Special Education and Creative Arts Therapy at the childhood through adolescent developmental levels program in residence at Hofstra.

A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading to the M.S. in Education in Special Education and Creative Arts Therapy at the childhood through adolescent developmental levels degree may be completed prior to matriculation in the program.

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in order to remain in the program. Courses in which students receive grades below C- confer no credit toward the graduate degree but are included in the grade point average. The student has the option of earning two master’s by continuing for additional credits, under advisement, in both the areas of Creative Arts Therapy and Special Education.

Internship/Student Teaching

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of a minimum of 32 to 35 s.h. of prescribed courses in creative arts therapy with certain counseling and psychology courses selected under advisement, and 24 to 27 semester hours of prescribed courses in special education with no fewer than 31 s.h. in residence.
2. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in overall graduate course work and all special education core courses.
   
3. Passing grade on the comprehensive examination for special education.
4. Completion of a final scholarly research paper fulfilling the requirement for CAT 300. 
5. All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a 5-year period.