Mar 28, 2024  
2010-2011 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2010-2011 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Dual Certificate Program in Early Childhood Ed (Birth-Grade 2) and Child Ed (Grades 1-6), M.S.Ed.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Program Information

Professor Fromberg, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-5779, Doris.P.Fromberg@hofstra.edu

The master’s dual certificate program in early childhood education and childhood education is offered by the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership. It is designed to prepare qualified graduate students as teachers in the areas of early childhood education and childhood education. All students in the program are engaged in observation and field work in a variety of early childhood and elementary school settings throughout the area.

This master’s program leads to certification (Birth-Grade 2; Grades 1-6) by the  New York State Education Department upon the recommendation of the School of Education, Health and Human Services.

Graduate students who enter upon programs of study on nonmatriculated bases are limited to a maximum of 12 semester hours of course work.

Liberal arts and sciences education prerequisites required by the New York State Education Department must be completed prior to conferral of the degree.

Admission Critera



Admission to the master of science in education degree program in the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria including the following: 

  1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a liberal arts and sciences concentration.
  2. An overall GPA of 2.75 or higher on all course work.
  3. A GPA of 2.75 or higher in liberal arts and sciences course work. Applicants’ with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.75 may be accepted provisionally, subject to special conditions.
  4. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession.
  5. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
  6. An interview with the program director.

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a student’s potential for success in the program. Students may consider applying even if they fail to meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience might compensate.

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 - Semester Hours: 41



Pedagogical Core Requirements

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 while in the program. Grades of D or lower will not be counted toward the graduate degree but will be included in determining the grade point average.

Field Experiences Prior to Student Teaching


(15 clock hours in each course)

Prospective teachers in the dual certification program in early childhood education and childhood education complete a minimum of 120 clock hours as participant observers in designated schools prior to student teaching. Placements are arranged by the Office of Field Placement.  At least one placement will be spent in a site recognized by the New York State Education Department as high-needs. Students in SPED 207 will participate on-site with students who have disabilities.

Student Teaching Prerequisites


  1. Program Phase 2 and General Education Core must be completed prior to student teaching.
  2. Application forms may be obtained from the Office of Field Placement. Applications are due on May 1 for the succeeding spring semester and February 15 for the succeeding fall semester.
  3. Students must have a cumulative minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in graduate course work without incompletes. Student teaching will not be waived.

Graduation Requirements



  1. Completion of General Education Core.
  2. Successful completion of all course requirements for the Master of Science in Education Dual Certification in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education with an overall GPA of 3.0.
  3. Completion of the 41 s.h. course requirements in the M.S. in Education Dual Certification Program in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education.
  4. A comprehensive portfolio, illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.
  5. A passing score on the departmental comprehensive examination or departmentally authorized equivalent (no degree credit).
  6. All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

Footnotes


*15 clock hours of field experiences.

Teacher Certification Requirements


Upon successful completion of a school-based program, students will be eligible to apply for the University’s recommendation for New York state certification. The state requires applicants 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 appropriate Content Specialty Tests (CSTs). The state will not issue certification to individuals not receiving passing scores on all New York examinations.

In addition to fulfilling the required courses of study, the Commissioner’s Regulations mandate that all prospective teachers, pupil personnel and education leaders receive instructions regarding:
    1.     Identification of Child Abuse and Maltreatment.
    2.     Fire and Arson Prevention.
    3.     School Violence Prevention and Intervention.
    4.     Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Abuse.
    5.     Highway and School Safety/Prevention of Child Abduction.

New York State legislation also requires all persons seeking certification as special education teachers or school administrators working in special education to have training in the area of children with autism. All of these requirements must be completed before the conferral of the degree and recommendation for certification. Candidates for certification in New York state must also demonstrate satisfactory performance on the requisite state assessment. No degrees will be conferred without the completion of all of these requirements. Please contact the Office of Certification and Educational Support Services for information regarding fingerprinting, examinations and seminars.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Program Information