Dec 04, 2024  
2005-2006 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2005-2006 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

School of Education and Allied Human Services


Refer to the Hofstra University Graduate Studies Bulletin for information about graduate programs offered by the School of Education and Allied Human Services.

Office: Second Floor, Hagedorn Hall
Telephone: (516) 463-5740
James R. Johnson, Dean
Penelope J. Haile, Associate Dean
Jane M. Goldman, Senior Assistant Dean of External Relations and Director, Field Services
Karleen Edwards, Assistant Dean for Advisement and Certification Services
Michael Ayewoh, Assistant Dean for Special Programs

Hofstra University prides itself in having an “all-University approach” to teacher education. Since 1935 our history has been one of a four-year liberal arts college that early on expanded to serve the needs of such future professionals as engineers, business people and professional educators. Unlike many other institutions that began as teacher training colleges and later added a liberal arts component, Hofstra University enjoys a duality between liberal and professional studies, but is based on a University mission which places a liberal arts education of undergraduates in overriding priority.

Students should consult the Class Schedule for specific offerings and consult with an adviser before registering for their programs.

Mission of the School of Education and Allied Human Services

The faculty of the Hofstra University School of Education and Allied Human Services are dedicated to the preparation of reflective and knowledgeable professionals who use scholarship to inform their practice. Collectively, we strive toward a more just, open and democratic society as we collaborate with and learn from children, adolescents, and adults in diverse social and cultural settings.

We encourage and support the scholarship and practice of our colleagues and students in their professional lives; our endeavors include research that contributes to the knowledge base for both educators and health and human services professionals. Thus, it is our intent to establish the School of Education and Allied Human Services as a place which nurtures communication, collaboration, and leadership both at Hofstra and in community settings.

For undergraduate academic programs, the goals of the School of Education and Allied Human Services include:

  1. The cooperative education of students well-rounded both professionally and in the liberal arts;
  2. The first professional training of entry-level professionals who will serve in the public and independent schools of the region and nation;
  3. The development of analytic skills and sound judgments applied to content and also to professional issues; the ability to make warranted and thoughtful decisions about curriculum issues and student-related issues as well as issues relating to the conduct of the schools/agencies/organizations and the profession;
  4. To set the groundwork for continued learning by the new professional, whether that learning is through job-related experiences or graduate study applicable toward professional certification.

The School is comprised of the following departments and their undergraduate programs:

Counseling, Research, Special Education, and Rehabilitation (CRSR) 
Curriculum and Teaching (CT)
    Early Childhood Education (ELED)
    Elementary Education (ELED)
    Fine Arts Education (SED)
    Secondary Education (SED)
        Business (SED)
        English (SED)
        Foreign Languages (SED)
        Mathematics (SED)
        Sciences (SED)
        Social Studies (SED)
    Music (SED)
Foundations, Leadership and Policy Studies
        Educational Studies Program (EDST)
Health Professions and Family Studies
    Community Health (HPFS)
    School Health Education (HPFS)
Literacy Studies (LYST)
Physical Education and Sport Sciences 
    Athletic Training (PESP)
    Exercise Specialist (PESP)
    Physical Education (PESP)
    Teaching of Physical Education (PESP)

Accreditation And Certification


Hofstra University’s School of Education and Allied Human Services programs are registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Studies offered at the bachelor’s, master’s, advanced certificate, and doctoral levels are provided in the following teaching areas: early childhood (Birth-Grade 2); elementary education (Grades 1-6); secondary education (Grades 7-12); special subjects: fine arts, music, health, and physical education (all grades); and special education, TESOL, bilingual, literacy, and speech and language disabilities. Nonteaching areas include pupil personnel services and educational administration.

Upon the successful completion of a Hofstra state-approved teacher education program, students are eligible for the University’s recommendation for New York state certification. Certification applications must be submitted to the Advisement and Certification Office the semester in which the student is graduating.

In addition to fulfilling educational requirements, the New York State Education Department requires that all prospective teachers being recommended for teacher education programs, receive instruction for the purpose of preventing child abduction, preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse, safety education and fire and arson prevention in accordance with the Education Laws. No student is recommended for certification without the completion of these requirements.

All prospective early childhood (Birth-Grade 2), elementary (Grades 1-6) and secondary (Grades 7-12) and special subject teachers are required to pass the New York State Teachers Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) administered by National Evaluation Systems, Inc. Students should consult with their program adviser and/or the Advisement and Certification Office regarding the appropriate examinations for their area of study. Hofstra University has maintained an overall passing rate (2003-2004) of 97% on these examinations.  Number of program completers: 698

                                 Hofstra  Hofstra  Hofstra  Statewide*
                                       Univ.*   Univ.*   Univ.*
N.Y. State Teacher
Cert. Exams                   Number  Number    Pass    Pass
(NYSTCE’s)                   Tested     Tested       Rate     Rate
Test Field/Category

Professional                   650         642        99%     99%
Knowledge/Pedagogy   
ATS-W

Academic Content            109       103          94%     94%
Areas(including Multi-Subject)

Other Content Areas        663       649          98%     98%
LAST including Business,
Health and Physical Education

Teaching Special                31          29         94%     89%
Populations

Summary Totals and         655      633         97%     89%
Pass Rate

*for both undergraduate and graduate programs


As a part of the continuing effort to improve teacher preparation, the New York State Board of Regents adopted amendments to the Commissioner’s Regulations which directly relate to teacher education program requirements, as well as changes in teacher certification titles.

All applicants for certification and school district employment must undergo fingerprinting and clearance. Contact the Advisement and Certification Office for fingerprinting sites.

New York state has interstate contracts with 42 other states and jurisdictions. Persons prepared in one of the contract states and who meet the contract requirements of the interstate agreement, are eligible for an initial certificate upon application with each individual state. New York State is also a member of the Northeast Common Market that offers a Northeast Regional Credential (NRC) to applicants. For additional information on interstate reciprocity, students should visit the Advisement and Certification Office.

The School of Education and Allied Human Services at Hofstra is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The accreditation includes the initial and advanced levels of professional education programs offered within the School.

Some states, not part of the interstate reciprocity program, offer either full or partial reciprocity privileges to persons who are graduates of NCATE accredited institutions. States not participating in either of the above reciprocity systems will accept certificate applications and evaluate them on an individual basis.

Students may obtain detailed and current information about certification requirements in various educational specializations from the School’s Advisement and Certification Office.

School of Education and Allied Human Services Courses May not Be Applied Toward Liberal Arts Credit Unless Otherwise Noted.

Professional Behavior
Expected of students enrolled in programs in the School of Education and Allied Human Services.

Students are expected to behave in an ethical and professional manner according to the guidelines for student conduct and academic honesty at Hofstra University and the professional standards identified in their respective programs in the School of Education and Allied Human Services.  Satisfactory interpersonal behavior and professional performance in classes and meetings, student teaching, internships, and practica are expected.  If a report is received concerning an ethics violation or an incident of inappropriate behavior as defined by the Judicial Code, established University procedures will be followed to investigate the issue and determine the course of action.

Programs

A program is a coherent sequence of course work and fieldwork designed to develop the professional competence of degree candidates. Programs offered by the School of Education and Allied Human Services are classified as either preprofessional or professional. The preprofessional programs are for students seeking their first teaching certification whether at the undergraduate or the graduate level or are preparing for entry-level positions in selected allied human services fields (non-school based). Professional programs are designed for individuals already certified (provisional or initial) to teach and those experienced as teachers (e.g., in private schools) and who wish to pursue advanced studies in a specialized field of education, and those who wish to pursue advanced studies in a specialized field in selected allied human services. Consult the Hofstra University Graduate Studies Bulletin and individual departments for advisement and specific program information.

The School of Education and Allied Human Services also offers co-major programs to undergraduate students interested in education as an additional field of study and inquiry. Consult individual department for advisement.

To locate information about preparatory programs for teaching and other educational roles, and roles in selected allied human services, consult the chart for Undergraduate Preprofessional Programs. Use the chart to identify the schools and departments offering the program of interest.

Undergraduate Preprofessional Teacher Preparation Programs

Degree candidates are admitted after application to specific programs within the School of Education and Allied Human Services. Undergraduate degree candidates typically successfully complete a prescribed distribution of liberal arts and sciences course work, designated by each program before admission to the program. Enrollment is open to students showing qualities which indicate potential as teachers of children and youth. Judgments concerning these qualities are accumulated in reports plus field-based experiences from several of the students’ instructors, including faculty in liberal arts and education and cooperating teachers in the schools. Prospective teachers should obtain applications from the proper department in the School of Education and Allied Human Services even though initial enrollment may be in the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, New College, the Zarb School of Business or the School of Communication.

Enrollment

Prospective teachers in the following fields enroll as a major in the School of Education and Allied Human Services: art, music, physical education, health education.

Preparation for teaching in early childhood and elementary schools requires dual enrollment in a Bachelor of Arts program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences* or New College in the department of the student’s interest for the liberal arts subjects, and in the School of Education and Allied Human Services for completion of the professional education courses leading to the co-major.

Students preparing to teach in secondary schools enroll in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, New College or the Zarb School of Business as a major in a teaching content and co-major in secondary education. The chart is a guideline of teaching fields and their respective departments. See Graduate Studies Bulletin.

A student preparing to teach early childhood, elementary, or secondary education should, by the beginning of the sophomore year, select a co-major in the appropriate college. With an adviser from the chosen department, the student should develop an approved plan of study which satisfies the requirements of that department as well as the School of Education and Allied Human Services program. Students preparing to teach music or fine arts should enroll in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching during the freshman year. Students preparing to teach physical education or school health education should enroll in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences or Health Professions and Family Studies during the freshman year.

Frequently it is necessary for students to take more than the minimum 124 semester hours for graduation in order to meet the subject requirements of their academic department in the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, New College or the Zarb School of Business and the teacher education requirements of the School of Education and Allied Human Services.

Prerequisites for Teacher Candidates

Undergraduate students preparing to teach at the early childhood, elementary or secondary level need to apply to the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at the beginning of the sophomore year.

Admission to the program is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:
  • A completed application to the program.
  • In the case of elementary education, 
    • a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in overall course work;
    • a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in liberal arts course work.
  • In the case of secondary education, 
    • a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in overall course work;
    • a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the area(s) in which certification is sought.
  • A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
  • Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession. An interview, audition, and/or portfolio requirements in some programs).
The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate’s potential for success in the 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.

Undergraduate students should plan with their liberal arts adviser to take their distribution and liberal arts co-major courses before the junior year. During the upper junior year and the lower senior year, early childhood and elementary education majors will respectively need to plan to alternate a semester of mornings and a semester of afternoons in order to participate in Birth-6 schools. The upper senior year requires full-day student teaching.
 
Early Childhood and elementary education candidates should select a foundations of education course (FDED 111 or 127) during the first semester of the sophomore year. They should also submit a Change of Major form (to declare two majors) to the Office of Academic Records. This form should be signed by program advisers in both areas of study.

Secondary education candidates should register initially in FDED 111 or 127, SED 102 and SED 151. These courses may be taken in any order or concurrently; these courses fulfill prerequisite requirements for continued studies in the undergraduate secondary education professional sequence.

Junior standing is a prerequisite to enrollment in all courses offered by the School of Education and Allied Human Services except ELED 41, SED 102, SED 151, all foundations of education and many physical education courses.

Student Teaching: is the final phase of the professional education sequence. Students must formally apply to the Office of Field Placement the semester before student teaching.

Applications for Fall student teaching are due March 1; applications for Spring student teaching are due October 1. Students should refer to their program as listed in this Bulletin for details on prerequisites and minimum grade point average requirements for student teaching.

Selection Process

The School of Education and Allied Human Services has implemented a policy of careful initial and continuing selection of students and courses offered by the School. Generally, courses are not open to students who have not been accepted into the School of Education and Allied Human Services. Exceptions are courses in foundations of education, educational psychology and physical education.

At the end of the sophomore year students who have applied for enrollment in the School of Education and Allied Human Services will be assigned by the selection offices to one of three categories:

  • Accepted, meaning that an applicant may continue in teacher education at Hofstra;
  • Accepted provisionally, in Secondary Education, meaning that an applicant may continue work in professional education although specified deficiencies must be made up;
  • Rejected, meaning that an applicant may not enroll in any course offered by the School.
Students who have been accepted may be dropped from programs in education at a later date in cases where academic performance, judgments of field-experience supervisors and cooperating school personnel or other factors make such steps advisable.

University Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science

The Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences or the Department for Health Professions and Family Studies offers the following programs leading to the Bachelor of Science degree:

    Athletic Training
    Community Health
    Exercise Specialist
    School Health Education

Bachelor of Arts

The Department of Curriculum and Teaching offers a program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree with a co-major in a liberal arts combined with one of the following: early childhood education, elementary education, or secondary education.

Bachelor of Science in Education

  1. For the students taking programs (art, music, physical education) leading to the Bachelor of Science in Education degree, the following requirements must be fulfilled:
  2. The successful completion of the required semester hours for the major and a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 (physical education) or 2.75 (art, music, business) in work completed at Hofstra.
  3. The liberal arts requirement for the specialization must be fulfilled.
  4. There are two requirements that must ordinarily be completed in residence at Hofstra: the minimum semester hours in the field of specialization, and the last 30 semester hours. See specific program for requisites.
  5. The following general requirements, as listed under each specialization:
    1. ENGL 1 and 2 or placement examination
    2. Humanities
    3. Natural Science
    4. Social Science
  6. The major and additional requirements as stated under the field of study.
School-Based Employment Opportunities

Hofstra University and faculty in the School of Education and Allied Human Services are committed both to attracting excellent candidates to our programs, as well as assisting them in locating employment upon graduation. Teaching candidates are strongly encouraged before enrolling in a given program to review the employment prospects in their chosen field. Such opportunities, of course, differ among teaching areas and within regions of the country. Data about the profession, including supply and demand by region and certification area, are routinely available and updated regularly on such Web sites as www.jobbankusa.com. This site and others contain a wide array of resources to job seekers in teaching and other careers.

Potential candidates for teaching careers, as well as those nearing graduation, should visit the Hofstra Career Center in the M. Robert Lowe Hall on the Hofstra Campus. A wide range of services are available to future educators. Such services include: career counseling in job hunting, assistance with resumé building, mock interviews, a job referral service, special Career Center notices, and lists of school districts which cooperate with us in conducting on and off campus interviews. Most students, especially those hoping to gain employment with area schools, use the Hofstra Career Center to focus their search and coordinate initial interviews.

Alternately, students who expect to seek employment out of New York state have been drawn to an increasing list of web sites that offer details of specific job vacancies, as well as other information. These data may be found by visiting the Hofstra University Web site and clicking on “Career Services.” Students will find a list of special Web sites with direct links to such organizations as the New York State Education Department, New York City schools, the National Association of Independent Schools, the Academic Employment Network, and eleven other dedicated employment sites. At Hofstra, education majors find an excellent and dedicated faculty, outstanding career support services, and extensive electronic links to education career information and employment opportunities.