Professor Thompson, Chairperson
Professor Singer, Assistant Chairperson

Professors Duarte, Gordon, Kaufman, Libresco, Murphy, Torff, Whitton, Zwirn
Associate Professors Elijah, Feldman, Joseph, Lightfoot, Robinson, Stacki
Adjunct Assistant Professors Iverson, Masrour

Adjunct Professor Myrna Fischbach, Adviser

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 Teaching, Learning and Technology. Qualifying students interested in pursuing this possibility should seek appropriate advisement during their freshman year.

Dual Degree Options

• Five-Year dual degree program: Management (BBA) and Business Education (MSEd) Dual-degree Program  
• Five-Year dual degree program: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and Elementary Education (BA), and Elementary Education: Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), (MA), Dual-degree Program  
• Five-Year dual degree program: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Dual Early Childhood/Childhood Education (BA) and Early Childhood/Childhood Education: STEM (MA)
• Five-Year dual degree program: Mathematics (BA) and Mathematics Education with STEM Integration (MSEd), Dual-degree Program  

Undergraduate Programs

Secondary education programs administered under the Department of Teaching, Learning and Technology 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 Requirements for Teacher 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 Teaching, Learning and Technology. Admission into a BA degree program or a BSEd degree program in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Technology is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria. 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 GPA or testing criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience might compensate.

• A passing score on the Hofstra Writing Proficiency Exam.
• A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on all course work.
• A minimum GPA of 2.75 on course work in the subject area in which certification is being sought (for secondary education or art, dance, and music).
• A minimum GPA of 2.75 on course work in the liberal arts and sciences (for early childhood and childhood education).
• Submission of scores on a nationally-normed admissions test (such as the SAT or ACT).
• 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).

For Early Childhood/Childhood and Secondary Education students:  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.

Minimum Liberal Arts Core required of all teacher education options 

All undergraduate candidates enrolled in teacher preparation programs leading to initial certification must also satisfy the General Education Liberal Arts Core. These are included as part of the curriculum in all BS and BSEd options. Those students pursuing a BA with co-majors in education and a liberal arts area must be sure to incorporate the following courses into their curricula. These can usually be satisfied by careful selection of HCLAS Distribution courses and/or major courses.

• Artistic Expression/Humanities: 3 s.h.
• Creative Participation: 3 s.h.
• Communication: 3 s.h. (RHET 001  or 007 )
• Information Retrieval: 0-3 s.h. [can be satisfied with passing score on the Examination for Information Retrieval (EIR)]
• Historical/Social Science Concepts: 6 s.h., with at least 3 s.h. in history
• Language Other Than English: (0-3 s.h.; depending on placement)
• Scientific Processes: 3 s.h.
• Mathematical Processes: 3 s.h.
• Written Analysis and Expression: 6 s.h.