Associate Professor Thompson, Chairperson

Areas of specialization are early childhood, elementary, and secondary education; and programs in dance, fine arts, and music, all grades.

Five-Year Option
Education students interested in completing both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees within a five-year period should see their academic adviser in the Department of Teacher Education Programs. Qualifying students interested in pursuing this possibility should seek appropriate advisement during their freshman year.

Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Administered by the Department of Teacher Education Programs

Associate Professor Thompson, Chairperson
Professor Kaufman
Associate Professors Davey, Elijah, Fusco, Joseph, Libresco
Adjunct Professor Myrna Fischbach, Adviser

Secondary Education
Associate Professor Thompson, Chairperson
Professors Grennon-Brooks, Murphy, Singer, Whitton
Associate Professors Gordon, Robinson, Stacki, Torff, Zwirn
Assistant Professor Feldman
Adjunct Professor Masrour
Adjunct Assistant Professor Iverson

Dual Degree Option
Five-Year dual degree program: BBA in Management/MSEd in Business Education  

Undergraduate Programs

Secondary education programs administered under the Department of Teacher Education Programs prepare teachers of the academic subjects normally taught in grades 7-12, as well as for the subjects of art, business, dance and music. Students who plan to teach physical education or health education should enroll in the Department of Specialized Programs in Education . Students who plan to teach English, languages other than English, mathematics, science, or social studies at the secondary level (7-12) should select a BA degree program and a major in the same subject area. During the second semester of the sophomore year (having completed a minimum of 45 semester hours of college course work), students should choose an area of secondary education as a co-major. Students interested in teaching art, dance or music should select a BSEd degree program, specializing in the same subject area (see program requirements for these BSEd degrees listed separately below).

Secondary education programs are designed to blend on campus preparation with field experiences in a variety of school settings including high needs schools. Field work will culminate in full-time student teaching. Literacy, multicultural education, and information technology are integrated throughout all aspects of the programs. Hofstra’s undergraduate programs in secondary education are New York State registered programs. 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. A request for recommendation must be submitted to the Office of Educational Support Services the semester in which the student is graduating. There will be opportunities to attend a certification workshop during the student’s final semester, to receive all the necessary information regarding applying for certification. Individuals who apply directly to New York state for certification are responsible for learning about and satisfying the certification requirements set by the state. It should be noted that such requirements may differ from those in Hofstra’s registered programs.

Admission Criteria for Secondary Education Programs
During the second semester of the sophomore year (having completed a minimum of 45 semester hours of college course work), students should apply for admission to the School of Education through the Department of Teacher Education Programs. Admission into a BA degree program or a BSEd degree program in the Department of Teacher Education Programs is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

• A passing score on the Hofstra Writing Proficiency Exam.
• A GPA of 2.75 or higher on all course work.
• A GPA of 2.75 or higher in the subject area in which certification will be sought.
• 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, audition, and/or portfolio may be required in some programs (see academic advisers in the area in which certification will be sought).

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.

After being accepted into the School of Education, students must declare an education co-major by submitting a Change of Major Form to the Office of Academic Records. This form must be signed by program advisers for each major area.