Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2)/ Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) (BS), and Bilingual Education (MA), Dual Degree


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Certification Program in Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2), Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Bilingual Education Extension

The BS/MA program is designed to blend on-campus preparation with field experiences in a variety of school settings, including full-time student teaching for the BS program and a practicum for the MA program.  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, Childhood Education and Bilingual Education.

Upon completion of at least 149 semester hours and all degree requirements, students will receive a BS/MA and be eligible for recommendation for New York State certification in Early Childhood B-2, Childhood 1-6 and a Bilingual Education Extension.

Students are prepared for the following teaching positions:

  • Classroom teachers, pre-K-Grade 6
  • Classroom teachers with advanced preparation in Bilingual instruction
  • Day Care/Preschool Teachers
  • Bilingual Teachers

This dual degree program can be completed in five years, including some January and Summer sessions, and requires successful completion of a minimum of 149 semester hours, including at least 118 s.h. at the undergraduate level and 31 s. h. at the graduate level.  Students who are admitted to the MA. Bilingual portion of the dual degree program may replace up to 9 s.h. of undergraduate course work for their bachelor’s degree with an equal number of s.h. of graduate-level course work taken for the MA in Bilingual Education.

Please note that the sequence of courses in this program differs significantly from that of the BA in Early Childhood/Childhood Education. Students currently in the BA program may only change to the BS program during the first semester of freshman year.

Students must apply for admission to the School of Education through the Department of Teaching, Learning and Technology in Hagedorn Hall. For program admissions policies, see Admission Requirements for Teacher Education Programs.

 

Direct admission to the dual degree program (BS and MA)


Students entering Hofstra as incoming freshmen/women can apply for direct admission to the dual degree program.

Provisional acceptance to Early Childhood/Childhood Education program:

Students entering Hofstra as incoming first-year students must have an overall high school GPA of 3.0 and must also submit scores on a nationally-normed admission test such as the SAT, ACT, AP, or IB. 

  1. Final acceptance to Early Childhood/Childhood Education program:
  2. Applicants must also satisfy the following additional admission requirements:
  3. A GPA of 3.0 in their first year of liberal arts and education courses.
  4. An interview with the Early Childhood/Childhood program director.

Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching field.A written personal statement of professional intent.

Students admitted directly to the dual degree program as incoming freshmen/women will need to be transitioned into the graduate program before being allowed to take graduate courses as part of their undergraduate program and must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 following completion of at least 89 s.h. of course work toward their BS in Early Childhood/Childhood Education Dual Certification Program.
  2. An interview with the graduate program director.
  3. A written personal statement of professional intent.
  4. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate course work.
  5. Demonstration of proficiency in English and another language or a proficiency examination satisfactory to the department and consistent with the New York state certification guidelines. Students who fail to achieve a satisfactory score on the language proficiency examination are retested after remediation and are required to achieve a satisfactory score prior to completion of the program
  6. Completion of Dual Degree conditional acceptance form through the Office of Academic Records
  7. Completion of Dual Degree application waiver/substitution form

Admission to the dual degree program for current Hofstra students and qualified transfer students (BS and MA)


Qualified Hofstra students who have been following the curriculum for the BS in Early Childhood/ Childhood Education or qualified transfer students can apply for admission to the dual degree program upon completion of the second semester of their sophomore year of undergraduate work. In order to qualify for admission to the dual degree program, a student must attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of application. Students admitted to the dual degree program should note that admission to the MA portion of the program requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of application to the MA program.

Undergraduate students must apply and be accepted and/or transitioned into the graduate program before being allowed to take graduate courses as part of their undergraduate program, and must have fulfilled the following requirements:

  1. Completion of at least 89 s.h. toward their BS degree, with at least 30 s.h. completed in residence at Hofstra, before being permitted to take graduate courses for the MA in Bilingual Education
  2. Submission of scores on a nationally-normed admission tests (such as the SAT or ACT)
  3. Interview with the graduate program director.
  4. A written personal statement of professional intent.
  5. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate course work.
  6. Demonstration of proficiency in English and another language or a proficiency examination satisfactory to the department and consistent with the New York state certification guidelines. Students who fail to achieve a satisfactory score on the language proficiency examination are retested after remediation and are required to achieve a satisfactory score prior to completion of the program
  7. Completion of Dual Degree conditional acceptance form through the Office of Academic Records
  8. Completion of Dual Degree application waiver/substitution form

Program Requirements: BS/MA Dual Certification Program in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Education and Bilingual Education


Adjunct Instructor Fischbach, Adviser, 516-463-4799

Required Course Work (Bachelor of Science)


The designated courses within the following areas must be included in the BS degree program of the dual certification co-major.

At least 67 s.h. must be in liberal arts.  In addition to the specific courses required below, all students must complete additional courses to fulfill the requirements of a distinct 30 semester hour concentration area in the liberal arts plus any additional free liberal arts electives to reach 67. R Recommended concentrations are in  Social Science or Humanities, but please consult your adviser for a complete list of appropriate options.   Relevant courses taken for the liberal arts distribution may be applied to the concentration area.

Areas to be included in partial fulfillment of the Hofstra Distribution and New York State Education Department requirements:

Artistic Expression/Humanities - Semester Hours: 6


Any Literature course, English course (LT), and any Appreciation and Analysis (AA) listed under the Humanities Division of the Hofstra distribution .

Communication - Semester Hours: 3


Choose one of the following:

Information Retrieval - Semester Hours: 0-3


  • a passing score on the Examination for Information Retrieval (EIR) or comparable course work.  Recommended:  LIBR 001   Semester Hours: 1 

Historical/Social Science Concepts - Semester Hours: 9


Include at least one American History course (prerequisite to ELED 135), one other history course, and one social science course (BH, HP, CC) listed under the Social Science Division of the Hofstra distribution.

Language Other Than English - Semester Hours: 0-3


Completion of 3 s.h. in a language other than English, or placement at level 2 or above. 

ASL 001 - (LA) American Sign Language I  may be used to satisfy this requirement but does not carry liberal arts credit

Scientific Processes - Semester Hours: 6


Any 2 NS courses listed under the Natural Sciences Division of the Hofstra distribution; one of which must include a lab.

Mathematical Processes - Semester Hours: 6


MATH 030A  and one other MATH course listed under the Mathematics/Computer Science division of the Hofstra distribution.

Written Analysis and Expression - Semester Hours: 6


WSC 001 , 002  and a passing score on the Hofstra Writing Proficiency Examination (Students transferring from other institutions must pass the Hofstra Writing Proficiency Exam).

Behavioral Social Sciences (BH) – Semester Hours: 3


PSY 001 , PSY 003 , or PSY 007 .

Liberal Arts– Semester Hours: 30


30 semester hours in a distinct concentration area in the liberal arts.  Recommended concentrations are in  Social Science or Humanities, but please consult your adviser for a complete list of appropriate options.   Relevant courses taken for the liberal arts distribution may be applied to the concentration area.  

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 and the New York State Education Department requirements.

Education Required Courses – Semester Hours: 41-44


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.

Student Teaching Prerequisites


All education course work must be completed prior to student teaching. Application forms for student teaching are available in the Office of Field Placement and are due by May 1 for the succeeding spring semester and February 15 for the succeeding fall semester. Admission criteria for student teaching are as follows:

  1. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on overall course work;
  2. GPA of 2.75 of higher in liberal arts and sciences course work;
  3. Grade of C- or higher in each ELED course completed;
  4. No unresolved INC grades in professional education course work.

BS/MA Graduate Required Courses - Semester Hours: 9


  • CT 260 - Foundations, Theory and Practice of Bilingual Education Semester Hours: 3
  • CT 266 - Immigrant Children in the U.S. School Semester Hours: 3
  • FDED 232 - Cross-Cultural Education: Comparative Perspectives Semester Hours: 3

 

Bilingual Education, MA


Professor Gordon, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-5170

Program Overview

Courses in this Master of Arts program lead toward a New York state teaching certificate extension for bilingual education. This BS/MA dual degree program is designed for those seeking certification in Early Childhood and Childhood Education with a bilingual extension

The program is designed to blend on-campus preparation with field experiences in the school settings specific to the focus of the student’s base teaching certificate. Literacy education, multicultural education, and the use of technology are integrated throughout all aspects of the program. The program conforms with the requirements of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and is registered with the New York State Education Department.

Admission Criteria

Students must be currently enrolled in the Dual Degree Program – B.S. in Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2)/ Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), and MA Bilingual Education and have met the criteria for transitioning into the graduate portion of the program.  Students must demonstrate proficiency in English and another language or a proficiency examination satisfactory to the department and consistent with the New York state certification guidelines. Students who fail to achieve a satisfactory score on the language proficiency examination are retested after remediation and are required to achieve a satisfactory score prior to completion of the program.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 31 (9 s.h. completed within BS degree 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. Students may repeat courses to meet grade point average requirements, but the semester hours for a course are only awarded once, and both grades are factored into the overall grade point average.

Area One: Introductory Courses - Semester Hours: 7


  • CT 260 - Foundations, Theory and Practice of Bilingual Education Semester Hours: 3
  • CT 266 - Immigrant Children in the U.S. School Semester Hours: 3
  • SED 200 - Information Technology for Teachers Semester Hours: 1

Area Two: Linguistic Component - Semester Hours: 6


  • CT 226 - Linguistics for Teachers of English-Language Learners Semester Hours: 3 
  • LYST 208 - Language, Culture and Identity: Literacy Issues for Teachers and Children Semester Hours: 3

       or

  • SPCH 209 - Developmental Psycholinguistics Semester Hours: 3

Area Three: Society and Culture - Semester Hours: 6


  • FDED 232 - Cross-Cultural Education: Comparative Perspectives Semester Hours: 3
  • FDED 242 - Foundational Perspectives in Multicultural Education Semester Hours: 3

Area Four: Methodological Component - Semester Hours: 12


  • CT 265 - Methods and Materials in Bicultural Education Semester Hours: 3 (see footnote *)
  • LYST 213 - Introduction to Bilingual and Biliteracy Instruction for Children and Adolescents Semester Hours: 3 (see footnote *)
  • RES 240 - Measurement and Evaluation in Education Semester Hours: 3
  • ELED 225 - Teaching English as a Second Language in the Elementary Classroom Semester Hours: 3 (see footnote *)

Footnote*


*Course requires participation/observation in designated schools.

Graduation Requirements


  1. Completion of all liberal arts and education graduation requirements for the BS/MA degree.
  2. Successful completion of at least 149 semester hours (Military Science courses may not be counted toward this total semester hour requirement.)
  3. Completion of at least 67 semester hours in liberal arts and sciences course work
  4. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in overall course work.
  5. A minimum GPA of 2.75 in liberal arts and sciences course work.
  6. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in professional education course work
  7. An electronic portfolio illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.
  8. Completion of all required Educational Law Seminars

Teacher Certification Requirements


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.

All prospective early childhood (birth-grade 2), childhood (grades 1-6), adolescent (grades 7-12) and special subject, students with disabilities, gifted, TESOL, bilingual, literacy, speech and language disabilities teachers, as well as school leadership candidates, are required to pass the New York State Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) administered by National Evaluation Systems, Inc., including the Educating All Students Test (EAS), Content Specialty Test(s) (CST) and the edTPA. Prospective School Leaders will be required to take the appropriate leadership exams. For more information regarding state testing, please contact the Office of Educational Support Services at 516-463-5747 or visit www.nystce.nesinc.com.

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:

  • Identification of Child Abuse and Maltreatment
  • Fire and Arson Prevention
  • School Violence Prevention and Intervention
  • Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Abuse
  • Highway and School Safety/Prevention of Child Abduction
  • Training in Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention required under the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

New York state legislation also requires all persons seeking certification in special education, speech and language disabilities or school administrators working in special education, to have training in the area of children with autism.

Hofstra University offers the above listed educational law seminars through the Office of Educational Support Services.  All seminars must be completed before the conferral of the degree and recommendation for certification.

Forms for applying for certification can be found at the Office of Educational Support Services Web page under the certification tab.

Fingerprinting

Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000, the Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE), requires that applicants for teaching and administrative and pupil services personnel certification and perspective employees of covered schools (school districts, charter schools and BOCES) must undergo fingerprint supported criminal history background check. However, many school districts and institutions across the metropolitan New York area are now requiring that all student teachers, observers, interns or externs receive fingerprint clearance before they are placed in educational settings that are required for this degree program. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for fingerprint clearance upon acceptance to the program. Fingerprint clearance is also required for New York state certification. For information on how to register to be fingerprinted, visit http://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/colleges/soeahs/CESS/cess_requirements_fingerprints.html.

 

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