Mar 28, 2024  
2009-2010 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2009-2010 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Social Studies Education, B.A. in


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The degree program followed in the Bachelor of Arts. Courses in this program lead toward New York state initial teacher certification in social studies, grades 7-12. Secondary education programs are designed to blend on-campus preparation with field experiences in a variety of school settings, culminating in full-time student teaching. Literacy, multicultural education, and information technology are integrated throughout all aspects of the program. The program conforms with the New York State Learning Standards in Social Studies and with the recommendations for teacher preparation of the National Council for the Social Studies.

Professor Singer, Adviser

Program Requirements


Students choose a major in history or one of the social sciences (Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science or Sociology) within the liberal arts and sciences. During the second semester of the sophomore year (a minimum of 45 semester hours of college course work), the student then chooses Social Studies Education as a co-major. For program admission policies, procedures, and program requirements, see Secondary Education Undergraduate Programs.

Prospective teachers of social studies must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours in history and social studies course with at least 21 semester hours in history and geography. The Hofstra University program requires a distribution of history and social studies courses in specific subject areas as follows:

a) European History - Semester Hours: at least 6


Highly recommended.

b) United States History - Semester Hours: at least 6


Highly recommended.

c) Additional Course Work


Additional course work (under advisement) that demonstrates competency in non-Western (African, Asian, Latin American or Russian) History and the following social sciences: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, and Sociology. These requirements can be satisfied through the following:

  • 6 s.h. in non-Western (African, Asian, Latin American or Russian) history;
  • 3 s.h. in Economics
  • 3 s.h. in Geography
  • 3 s.h. in Political Science

Secondary Education Program - Semester Hours: 31


The co-major in Social Studies Education consists of a minimum of 31 semester hours of professional education course work, including the following:

Introductory Courses - Semester Hours: 10


General Methods Courses - Semester Hours: 6


Special Methods and Curriculum Courses - Semester Hours: 6


Student Teaching and Required Seminars - Semester Hours: 9


Footnotes


* Participation/observation in middle and secondary schools are required in each of the following courses:

  • SED 102 - Field Placement—grades 7-9
  • SED 151 - Field Placement—grades 7-12
  • SED 156 - Field Placement—grades 10-12
  • SPED 102 - Field Placement—grades 7-12
  • LYST 101 - Field Placement—grades 7-12

See course description for additional information. Students receiving a grade lower than C- in a professional education course must repeat the course and receive a grade of C or higher in order to remain in the program.

Student Teaching Prerequisites


After completing at least 19 semester hours of professional education course work and an adviser audit of content area course work, students may apply for admission to student teaching. Application forms may be obtained in the office of Field Placement. Admission criteria are as follows:

  1. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on overall course work or permission of adviser
  2. No grades lower than C- and no unresolved INC grades in professional education course work
  3. A GPA of 2.5 or higher in social studies content courses

Graduation Requirements


Graduation from the program requires:

  1. Completion of all graduation requirements for the bachelor’s degree in the major content area in which the certification will be sought;
  2. Completion of all course requirements for the co-major in the concentration area within secondary education;
  3. No grades lower than C- and no unresolved INC grades in professional education course work;
  4. A minimum GPA of 2.75 in overall course work;
  5. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in the major area in which the certification will be sought;
  6. An electronic portfolio, illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.

Teacher Certification Requirements


Upon the successful completion of a teacher education program, students will be eligible to apply for the University’s recommendation for New York state certification. For Initial Certification, students are required to have passing scores on each of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE): the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching Skills–Written (ATS-W), and the Content Specialty Test (CST). Students not receiving passing scores on all three examinations will not be eligible for certification.

Note:


It is strongly recommended that students complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) of the New York State Teacher Certification Examination prior to student teaching and the Assessment of Teaching Skills–Written (ATS-W), and the Content Specialty Test (CST) during student teaching. All three NYSTCE’s should be completed prior to graduation. Students not receiving passing scores on all three examinations will not be eligible for certification.

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