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2024-2025 Undergraduate Bulletin
Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2)/ Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) (BS), and Elementary Special Education (MSEd), Dual Degree
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Certification Program in Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2), Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6) and Severe or Multiple Disabilities annotation/extension
The BS/MSEd 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 student teaching practicum for the MSEd 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 Special Education.
Upon completion of at least 155 semester hours and all degree requirements, students will receive a BS/MSEd and be eligible for recommendation for New York State certification in Early Childhood B-2, Childhood 1-6 and Students with Disabilities 1-6, with a severe or multiple disabilities annotation/extension.
Students are prepared for the following teaching positions:
- Classroom teachers, pre-K-Grade 6
- Inclusive classroom teacher
- Special Education teachers
- Consultant Teacher
- Resource Room Teacher
- Integrated Co-Teaching Services
- Day Care/Preschool 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 155 semester hours, including at least 118 s.h. at the undergraduate level and 37 s. h. at the graduate level. Students who are admitted to the MSEd in Special Education (1-6) portion of the dual degree program may replace up to 9 s.h. of undergraduate coursework for their bachelor’s degree with an equal number of s.h. of graduate-level course work taken for the MSEd in Special Education (1-6) program.
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.
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Direct admission to the dual-degree program (BS and MSEd)
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:
- Second semester of their first year, or,
- 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:
- A GPA of 3.0 in their first year of liberal arts and education courses.
- 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:
- 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.
- An interview with the graduate program director.
- A written personal statement of professional intent.
- Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching of students with disabilities.
- Completion of Dual Degree conditional acceptance form through the Office of Academic Records
- Completion of Dual Degree application waiver/substitution form
Admission to the dual degree program for current Hofstra students and qualified transfer students (BS and MSEd)
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 MSEd portion of the program requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of application to the MSEd 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:
- 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 in Special Education.
- An interview with the graduate program director.
- A written personal statement of professional intent.
- Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching of students with disabilities.
- Completion of Dual Degree conditional acceptance form through the Office of Academic Records.
- Completion of Dual Degree application waiver/substitution form.
Program Requirements: BS/MSEd Dual Certification Program in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education, Students with Disabilities 1-6 and Severe or Multiple Disabilities Annotation/Extension
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 most 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. 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
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.
World Language - 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 course 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).
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 – Semester Hours: 13
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:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on overall course work;
- GPA of 2.75 of higher in liberal arts and sciences course work;
- Grade of C- or higher in each ELED course completed;
- No unresolved INC grades in professional education course work.
BS/MSEd Graduate Required Courses - Semester Hours: 9
- SPED 277 – Technology and assistive technology in special education Semester Hours: 3
- SPED 242 – Psychoeducational assessment in special education Semester Hours: 3
- SPED 246 – The education of students with learning disabilities and other associated conditions Semester Hours: 3
Elementary Special Education, MSEd
Assistant Professor Hernandez, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-7148
This BS/MSED program is designed for those seeking New York state certification in Early Childhood, Childhood, and Students with Disabilities 1-6 with a Severe or Multiple Disabilities Annotation/Extension.
The program is designed to develop ethical scholar-practitioners capable of working with diverse populations of learners in a variety of school contexts. The MSEd portion of the program consists of a sequence of core courses and experiences for teaching students across the full range of disabilities and special health care needs.
Admission Criteria
Students must be currently enrolled in the Dual Degree Program – BS in Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2)/ Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), and MSEd in Elementary Special Education and have met the criteria for transitioning into the graduate portion of the program.
Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 37 (9 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.
Knowledge Core - Semester Hours: 15
Characteristics of Learners with Mild, Moderate, Multiple Disabilities:
- SPED 211 - Knowledge and Strategies for Teaching Students With Cognitive Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
- SPED 249 - Understanding Physical, Sensory and Health Disabilities Semester Hours: 3 (*see footnotes)
- SPED 241 - Identification and Interventions for Children and Adolescents With Emotional/Behavioral Disorders Semester Hours: 3
- SPED 246 - The Education of Students With Learning Disabilities and Other Associated Conditions Semester Hours: 3
- SPED 248 - Education of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders Semester Hours: 3 (*see footnotes)
Associated Skills - Semester Hours: 16
- SPED 204 - Collaborative Partnerships With Families of Children With Disabilities Semester Hours:3 (*see footnotes)
- SPED 242 - Psychoeducational Assessment in Special Education Semester Hours: 3 (*see footnotes)
- SPED 245 - Curriculum and Methods for Students With Diverse Learning Needs Semester Hours: 4
- SPED 247 - Creating Effective Learning Communities: New Directions in Classroom Management Semester Hours: 3
or
- SPED 263 - Techniques of Collaborative Consultation Semester Hours: 3
- SPED 277 - Technology and Assistive Technology in Special Education Semester Hours: 3 (*see footnotes)
Reflective Practice - Semester Hours: 6
- SPED 238 - Field Experience Semester Hours: 3 (* see footnotes)
- SPED 237A - Teaching Students With Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
Footnotes
*Fulfills requirements for the annotation for Teaching Students with Severe or Multiple Disabilities.
Field Experience Prior to Student Teaching
Field experiences are integrated extensively into course curricula. A minimum of 100 clock hours of observation is required prior to student teaching. At least one placement will be spent in a site recognized by the New York State Education Department as high-needs. Placements are arranged by the Office of Field Placement.
Participation/observation field experiences which correspond to the developmental level of the certificate holder are required in each of the following courses:
- SPED 211 - Knowledge and Strategies for Teaching Students With Cognitive Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
10 hours of participant observation in settings for students with cognitive disabilities.
- SPED 241 - Identification and Interventions for Children and Adolescents With Emotional/Behavioral Disorders Semester Hours: 3
10 hours of field placement for students with emotional/behavioral disorders.
- SPED 242 - Psychoeducational Assessment in Special Education Semester Hours: 3
15 hours of individualized assessment with a student with special learning needs.
- SPED 245 - Curriculum and Methods for Students With Diverse Learning Needs Semester Hours: 4
20 hours of individualized instruction with a student with special learning needs.
- SPED 248 - Education of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders Semester Hours: 3
20 hours of participant observation at a school and board meeting for children with autism.
- SPED 249 - Understanding Physical, Sensory and Health Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
15 hours of site visitation at a center for students with multiple or severe disabilities.
- SPED 277 - Technology and Assistive Technology in Special Education Semester Hours: 3
15 clock hours in a local facility where assistive technology is prominently used by students with disabilities
Student Teaching
Students will qualify for admission to Student Teaching, SPED 237A, when they have satisfied the following requirements:
1. Successful completion of 27 semester hours of core course work
2. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall graduate course work.
Admission by permission of the graduate program director and application to the Office of Field Placement and the Department of Specialized Programs in Education, due on May 1 for the succeeding spring semester and February 15 for the succeeding fall semester. Application forms are available in Hagedorn Hall, Room 118.
Students registered for SPED 237A will complete a student teaching experience at two developmental levels of their certificate.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of all liberal arts and education graduation requirements for the BS/MSEd degree.
- Successful completion of at least 155 semester hours. (Military Science courses may not be counted toward this total semester hour requirement.)
- Completion of at least 67 semester hours in liberal arts and sciences course work
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in overall course work.
- A minimum GPA of 2.75 in liberal arts and sciences course work.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in professional education course work
- An electronic portfolio illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.
- Passing grade on the Comprehensive Examination
- 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 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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