Program Requirements: BS Dual Certification Program in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education

Students who successfully complete the program and pass all New York State certification requirements will qualify for New York State initial teaching certification In Early Childhood Birth-grade 2 and Childhood grades 1-6.

Direct admission to the dual-degree program (B.S. and M.S.Ed.)

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 and must also submit scores on a nationally-normed admission test such as the SAT, ACT, AP, or IB. 

Final acceptance to Early Childhood/Childhood Education program:

Applicants must also satisfy the following additional admission requirements:

1. A GPA of 3.0 in their first year of liberal arts and education courses.
2. An interview with the Early Childhood/Childhood program director.
3. Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching field.
4. 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 coursework toward their BS degree in Early Childhood/Childhood Education Dual Certification Program.
2. An interview with the program director.

3. Completion of Dual-degree conditional acceptance form through the Office of Academic Records.

4. Completion of Dual-Degree application waiver/substitution form.

Admission to the dual-degree program for current Hofstra students and qualified transfer students (B.S. and M.S.Ed)

Qualified Hofstra students majoring 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 MS portion of the program requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of application to the MS 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 provided they fulfill 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 MSED program in TESOL.
2. An interview with the program director.
3. Completion of Dual-degree conditional acceptance form through the Office of Academic Records.
4. Completion of Dual-Degree application waiver/substitution form.

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.

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

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of all liberal arts and education graduation requirements for the BS degree.
2. Successful completion of at least 127 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 coursework
4. Completion of 30 semester hours in the area of humanities, with at least 12 s.h. in a foreign language.
5. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in overall coursework.
6. A minimum GPA of 2.75 in liberal arts and sciences coursework.
7. Professional education coursework GPA of 3.0.
8. An electronic portfolio illustrating the student’s education coursework and professional accomplishments.
9. Completion of all required Educational Law Seminars.

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), MSEd

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

Courses in this Master of Science in Education program lead toward New York state initial teacher certification for teaching English as a second language (all grades). The program is designed to blend on-campus preparation with field experiences in a variety of school settings, culminating in full-time student teaching. Literacy education, multicultural education, meeting the needs of learners with exceptionalities, and the use of technology are integrated throughout all aspects of the program. The program conforms with the National TESOL Standards and the requirements of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.