Apr 16, 2024  
2005-2006 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2005-2006 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

B.A. Dual Certification Program in Early Childhood Ed (Birth-Grade 2) and Childhood Ed (Grades 1-6)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Program Information

UNDERGRADUATE TEACHER PREPARATION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD (BIRTH-GRADE 2) AND CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (GRADES 1-6)

The undergraduate dual certification program in early childhood education and childhood education leads toward New York state initial teacher certification, valid for early childhood education (birth-grade 2) and childhood education (grades 1-6).  Students combine major study in a liberal arts or sciences area with a co-major in early childhood education and childhood education.  The program is 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 to the standards and guidelines of the New York State Learning Standards for Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education.

Program requirements: B.A. DUAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND A LIBERAL ARTS CO-MAJOR:

Candidates select a B.A. program from an area of the liberal arts and sciences (excluding fine arts, dance, drama and music).  After completing 45 semester hours of college course work, students choose the dual certification program as a co-major.  Hofstra’s undergraduate dual certification program is a New York state-registered program.  Students who successfully complete the program and who obtain passing scores on the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) will qualify for New York State Initial Teaching Certification.

Admission Criteria for the Dual Certification Program


After completing 45 semester hours of liberal arts and sciences college course work, students may apply for admission to the School of Education and Allied Human Services through the Department of Curriculum and Teaching in Hagedorn Hall.  Admission to a B.A. degree program in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:
  • A passing score on the Hofstra English Proficiency Exam.
  • An overall GPA of 2.75 or higher on all course work.
  • A GPA of 2.75 or higher in liberal arts and sciences course work.
  • Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession.
  • A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
  • 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.

Required Course Work


The Department of Curriculum and Teaching strongly recommends an emphasis on course work dealing with multicultural issues and social contexts of education.  In order to ensure that prospective teachers have a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences, all students in B.A. degree programs with co-majors in the dual certification program must complete course work from each of the content areas below.  When programs are planned carefully, the requirements may be satisfied while completing the Hofstra Distribution.  Specific courses and minimum credits required for prospective teachers are indicated.

Whereas satisfaction of the Hofstra Distribution may require more credits in the indicated areas than those stipulated below, the designated courses within the following areas must be included in the B.A. degree dual certification program co-major.   Comparable course work must be completed by New College Students in each of the following areas below.

Transfer students must plan their courses of study carefully with an academic adviser to ensure that their programs will fulfill both University and New York State Education Department requirements.

Areas to Be Included in Satisfying Part of the Hofstra Distribution:


Artistic Expression/Humanities: 3 s.h.


Creative Participation: 3 s.h.


Information Retrieval:


  • a passing score on the Examination for Information Retrieval (EIR), or comparable course work

Historical/Social Science Concepts: 6 s.h.


  • HIST course listed under the Social Sciences Division of the Hofstra Distribution or the equivalent particularly recommended;

Language Other Than English: 0-12 s.h.


  • Completion of level 4 competence in a language other than English, placement above level 4, or completion of the special language option. (American Sign Language, REHB 191 and 192, may be used to satisfy this requirement for New College students.)

Scientific Processes: 3 s.h.


Mathematical Processes: 3 s.h.


  • Any MATH course listed under the Mathematics/Computer Science division of the Hofstra Distribution.

Written Analysis and Expression: 6 s.h.


  • A passing score on the Hofstra English Proficiency Exam (also required for transfer students).
  • Successful completion of the New College Writing Program is a requirement prior to admission to ELED courses for New College students

Transfer Students


Transfer students must plan their courses of study carefully with an academic adviser to assess that their progress will fulfill both the University nd the New York State Education Department requirements.

Program Requirements:


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.

Phase 1:


  • Satisfactory completion of the 45 s.h. of college-level course work and admission to the Dual Certification Program.

Phase 3: Admission to Student Teaching


Student Teaching Prerequisites:
Program Phases 1 and 2 must be completed prior to student teaching.  Application forms for student teaching are available in the Office of Field Placement and are accepted by October 1 or March 1 for the succeeding semester(s).  Admission criteria for student teaching are as follows:
  1. a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on overall course work;
  2. a GPA of 2.5 of higher in liberal arts and sciences course work;
  3. a grade of C- or higher in each ELED course completed;
  4. no unresolved INC grades in professional education course work.

Graduation Requirements:


Graduation from the program requires:

  1. completion of all graduation requirements for the appropriate B.A. degree in the liberal arts and sciences;
  2. completion of all course requirements for the co-major in the dual certification program;
  3. the successful completion of at least 134 semester hours. (Military Science courses may not be counted toward this total semester hour requirement);
  4. completion of at least 93 semester hours in liberal arts and sciences course work (FDED 111, 112, 115, and 127 may be counted toward this requirement.);
  5. a minimum GPA of 2.75 in overall course work;
  6. a minimum GPA of 2.5 in liberal arts and sciences course work;
  7. professional education course work GPA of 2.75;
  8. an electronic portfolio illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.

Teacher Certification Requirements


Upon successful completion of a teacher education program, the student will be eligible to apply for the University’s recommendation for the New York state teachers’ Initial Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth-grade 2) and Childhood Education (Grades 1-6).  Students are required to pass each of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations: The Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching Skill-Written (ATS-W), and the Multiple Subjects Content Specialty Test (CST).  Students not receiving passing scores on all three examinations will not be eligible for certification.  Additional information pertaining to certification can be found in the certification section in the School of Education and Allied Human Services section.

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

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Program Information