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.

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 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 coursework 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. Completion of Dual Degree conditional acceptance form through the Office of Academic Records
5. 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 program in Early Childhood/Childhood Education: STEM.
2. An interview with the graduate program director.
3. A written personal statement of professional intent.
4. Completion of Dual Degree conditional acceptance form through the Office of Academic Records.
5. Completion of Dual Degree application waiver/substitution form.

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

Adjunct Instructor Fischbach, Adviser, 516-463-4799

Early Childhood/Childhood Education: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), MA

Professor Catalano, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-6468

The Master of Arts program with specialization in mathematics, science, and technology is designed for students enrolled in the BS/MA program, who are seeking New York state certification in Early Childhood and Childhood certification with a focus on science, technology, engineering and math.  Technology is defined as information technology, the integration of skills that require the use of computer applications to enhance student learning of mathematics and science as well as design technology, which encompasses the study of the technological world that inventors, engineers and other innovators have created. Both educational technology and design technology are applied to the study of elementary science and mathematics to further the development of meaningful understanding in these areas. Integration of these areas occurs within a broader understanding of the way in which society both reflects and shapes curriculum and pedagogy in schools.

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 in Early Childhood/Childhood Education: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)and have met the criteria for transitioning into the graduate portion of the program.  

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of all liberal arts and education graduation requirements for the BS/MA degree.
2. Successful completion of at least 150 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 (during BS degree).
8. Successful completion of the master’s thesis.
9. 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 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 is 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 School of Education Dean’s Office.  All seminars must be completed before the conferral of the degree and recommendation for certification.

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.