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

Provisional acceptance to Early Childhood/Childhood Education program:

Students at Hofstra may apply to the program after a discussion with the dual degree program advisor. They may apply to the program:

1. Second semester of their first year, or,
2. First semester of their second year.

Students entering Hofstra as incoming first-year students must have an overall high school GPA of 3.0.

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 to the dual degree program as incoming first-years 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. 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

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

Adjunct Instructor Fischbach, Adviser, 516-463-4799

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 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.

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 during 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), and the Content Specialty Test(s) (CST). 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.