Admission Requirements

Applications for admission to this Master of Science in Education program in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Technology  are made to the Graduate Admission Office. Admissions decisions are 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 completed application form to the master’s program.
2. Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, at least one indicating conferral of a baccalaureate degree with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate course work.
3. A minimum GPA of 2.75 on course work in fine arts and art history 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.
4. A written personal statement describing the candidate’s goals in the teaching profession and in graduate studies.
5. Completion of General Education Core prerequisites for teacher education programs (see below).
6. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate studies.
7. A portfolio of arts works (or photographs thereof).

Students who do not meet the admissions requirements may be advised to complete prerequisite courses under a planned program before becoming eligible for admission. A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading toward the MSEd may be completed prior to matriculation in the program.

General Education Core Requirements

In order to ensure that prospective teachers have a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences, all students must have completed undergraduate coursework in each of the content areas below.

1. Concepts in History/Social Science (3 s.h.)
2. Scientific Processes (3 s.h.)
3. Mathematical Processes (3 s.h.)
4. Literature, Analysis, and Written Expression (6 s.h.)

Course work for the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences must have a GPA of 2.75 or above with no grades below a C-.

Fine Arts Content Requirements

Prospective teachers must satisfy fine arts content requirements to qualify for New York state initial certification in special-subject education, valid for teaching fine arts (grades PreK-12). Hofstra’s program in fine arts education requires students to submit transcripts documenting completion of a minimum of 36 s.h. of post-secondary course work, distributed as follows:

1. Art history: 9 s.h.
   Western art, 3-6 s.h.
   Non-Western art, 3-6 s.h.
2. Design: 6 s.h.
   Two-dimensional design, 3 s.h.
   Three-dimensional design, 3 s.h.
3. Fundamental artistic techniques: 21 s.h.
   Drawing, 3 s.h.
   Painting, 3 s.h.
   Sculpture or ceramics, 3-6 s.h.
   Computer graphics or multimedia, 3-6 s.h.
   Printing, photography, or graphic design, 3-6 s.h.

Candidates who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in fine arts but who have completed a significant number of the required fine arts content courses with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher may apply for admission to the MSEd program. Upon matriculation to the program, students may continue to complete the required content courses while they are completing the requirements for the master’s degree. Graduate courses in fine arts and art history taken in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the MSEd degree may also be used to fulfill fine arts content requirements. All content area requirements must be completed prior to student teaching.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 38

To register for courses other than SED 205, 264, or CT 213, students must be matriculated in the program or have written permission of the chairperson of Teaching, Learning and Technology  or their academic adviser.

Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 29 s.h. in residence at Hofstra University. Student Teaching may be used to meet the 29 s.h. residence requirement. With the academic adviser’s approval, a maximum of 9 s.h. may be transferred into the program from accredited institutions; it is strongly recommended that students consult their adviser prior to enrolling in courses intended for transfer into the program.

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.

The course of study in fine arts education consists of a minimum of 38 semester hours of course work as follows:

Field Experiences Prior to Student Teaching

A minimum of 100 clock hours of participation/observation is required prior to student teaching. Field experiences are integrated extensively into course curricula. At least one placement (SED 264) 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. Department policy is to place prospective teachers in districts other than those in which they currently reside or in schools they attended.

Participation/observation field experiences in designated schools are required as follows:

• CT 229 - Development and Learning in Childhood and Adolescence Semester Hours: 3

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• CT 298A - Curriculum and Instruction in Art: Elementary Semester Hours: 3

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• CT 298B - Curriculum and Instruction in Art: Secondary Semester Hours: 3

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• SED 264 - General Methods of Teaching Semester Hours: 3

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• SPED 201 - The Exceptional Child Semester Hours: 3

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• SPED 264 - Inclusion in Today’s Schools Semester Hours: 3

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Student Teaching Prerequisites

To qualify for admission to Student Teaching (CT 227) or Supervised Teaching (CT 228), students must

1. Complete CT 229, 298A, 298B; LYST 202; SED 200, 205, 264; and SPED 201/264.
2. Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall graduate coursework.
3. Completion of all general education and fine art content area coursework. 

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.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of General Education requirements for teacher education programs.
2. Completion of fine arts content requirements with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
3. Completion of the 38 s.h. course requirements in the MSEd in Fine Arts Education program (with no fewer than 32 s.h. in-residence) with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in graduate studies.
4. An electronic 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 fine arts education requirements must be 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.