Admission Requirements

Admission to this Master of Science in Education program in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Technology  is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria.  The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a student’s potential for success in the program. Students may consider applying even if they fail to meet one of the criteria listed below but feel that other aspects of their experience might compensate. All individual cases will be reviewed by an Admissions Counselor before being referred to the graduate program for further review.

1. A Bachelor of Arts degree from an accredited college or university with a major, concentration, or the equivalent in one or more of the liberal arts and sciences. Coursework must include at least three credits in Math, Science, History/Social Science, English, and World Language with a grade of C or above.* 
2. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate coursework or its equivalent (e.g., a 3.0 in a completed graduate program). We encourage you to submit all transcripts from your undergraduate work and any graduate work for consideration. 
3. A minimum GPA of 2.75 on coursework in the liberal arts and sciences. 
4. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession. 
5. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale. 
6. An interview with the program director. 

* Candidates with a Bachelor of Science degree or completed their degree outside of the United States will need sequential study in a liberal arts subject or interdisciplinary field of at least 30 semester hours that provides knowledge of breadth and depth in that subject or interdisciplinary field as well as the following: 

• Concepts in History/Social Science (3 s.h. 
• World Language (3 s.h.) 
• Scientific Processes (3 s.h.) 
• Mathematical Processes (3 s.h.) 
• Literature, Analysis, and Written Expression (6 s.h.) 

Acceptable courses must have a grade of C or above. 

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 38

Early Childhood Education Major Requirements

The graduate director will review the academic standing of all graduate students at the end of each semester.  A student must maintain a 3.0 average to be considered in good standing.  Students who do not maintain a 3.0 average will be placed on academic probation.  Students who earn more than one C-, C, or C+ per semester, accumulate more than two C-, C, or C+ grades in their graduate coursework, or receive a D or an F in any course will be dismissed from the program.  In addition to the required GPA, students must demonstrate adequate competence and professionalism throughout all coursework and fieldwork.  If the director or program faculty determines that a student has failed to demonstrate this standard, they will be dismissed from the program.  Students may petition for readmission by following the School of Education Appeal policy.

Pedagogical Core Requirements - Semester Hours: 29

• *  SPED 207 - Introduction to Young Children With Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
• ELED 202 - Teaching Reading, Writing, and Language Arts: Birth-Grade 3 Semester Hours: 3
• *  ELED 202L - Supervised Language Arts Internship – Grades Pre-K-3 Semester Hours: 1
• ELED 206 - Social Studies in the Curriculum Semester Hours: 3
• ELED 208 - Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Teaching Mathematics and Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Curriculum Semester Hours: 3
• ELED 215 - Methods for Study of and Research With Young Children Semester Hours: 3
• ELED 216 - Early Childhood Curriculum Semester Hours: 3
• ELED 217 - Developing and Evaluating Innovations in Early Childhood Curriculum Semester Hours: 3
• *  ELED 217L - Supervised Mathematics Internship – Grades 1-3 Semester Hours: 1
• ELED 243 - Multicultural Perspectives on Early Childhood Development Semester Hours: 3
• ELED 275 - Literacy in Early Childhood Education Semester Hours: 3

Student Teaching Requirements – Semester Hours: 9

• ELED 222A - Supervised Teaching Semester Hours: 3

• and

• ELED 222B - Summer Supervised Student Teaching Extension Semester Hours: 3

• or

• ELED 261 - Student Teaching: Early Childhood Semester Hours: 6

•  

• ELED 262 - Classroom Perspectives and Issues: Early Childhood Semester Hours: 3

Field Experiences Before Student Teaching

Prospective teachers in the early childhood education program complete a minimum of 105 clock hours (2 45-hour internships each in ELED 202L  and ELED 217L  plus 15 hours in SPED 207 ) as participant observers in designated schools prior to student teaching. Placements are arranged by the Office of Field Placement. At least one placement in a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten will be spent in a high-needs site recognized by the New York State Education Department. Students in SPED 207  will participate on site with special-needs Birth-Grade 2 children. Field experiences before student teaching with children in each of the three early childhood groups, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1-2 are integrated with the following courses:

Student Teaching Prerequisites

1. Pedagogical Core Requirements and General Education Core must be completed prior to student teaching.
2. Application forms may be obtained from the Office of Field Placement. Applications are due on May 1 for the succeeding spring semester and February 15 for the succeeding fall semester.
3. Students must have a cumulative minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in graduate course work.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of General Education Core requirements.
2. Completion of all course requirements for the MSEd in Early Childhood Education with an overall GPA of 3.0.
3. Completion of the 38 s.h. course requirements in the MSEd in Early Childhood Education program with no fewer than 32 s.h. in-residence at Hofstra University.
4. A comprehensive portfolio, illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.
5. Completion of all required Educational Law Seminars.
6. All course work offered in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a five-year period..

Teacher Certification Requirements

Upon successfully completing 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 School of Education Dean’s Office 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, 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 School of Education Dean’s Office 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:

1. Identification of Child Abuse and Maltreatment
2. Fire and Arson Prevention
3. School Violence Prevention and Intervention
4. Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Abuse
5. Highway and School Safety/Prevention of Child Abduction
6. 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 of these 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 prospective 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 now require that all student teachers, observers, interns, or externs receive fingerprint clearance before being placed in educational settings that are required for this degree program. Therefore, we recommend 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.