Program Philosophy, Goals and Objectives

This program emphasizes the requisite core curricula described in NYS and National Standards, which are provided in technology-rich, authentic learning environments. Family and consumer sciences educators offer instruction at various grade levels. Students successful in the program will be prepared for New York Initial Certification in Family and Consumer Sciences, K-12, and an extension for Coordinator of Work-Based Learning. The program addresses all areas of the family and consumer sciences discipline. The Hofstra University program seeks to equip prospective teachers with myriad research-based teaching strategies to assist them in achieving these goals. The program values the development of reflective scholar-practitioners committed to effective teaching and continued professional growth. Prospective teachers are expected to be able to evaluate their professional practice critically and seek the support of their colleagues, communities, and students to improve all aspects of their professional roles.

Teachers who are pursuing an extension certification for Coordinator of Work-Based Learning must provide documentation to New York State of 300 clock hours of previous work experience outside of teaching. This experience might have been in high school, college, summer employment, or a previous career. The applicant is responsible for this documentation. Hofstra University does not have a role in this documentation. 

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 Office of Graduate Admission. Students who do not meet the full admission requirements may be advised to complete prerequisite courses under a planned program before becoming eligible for admission. Admission 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.

1. A completed application form for the master’s program.
2. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate coursework.
3. A minimum GPA of 2.75 on coursework in the content area in which certification is being sought.
4. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
5. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate coursework.
6. A bachelor’s degree. (See Family and Consumer Sciences Content Requirement below.)

Family and Consumer Sciences Content Requirements

Students admitted to the Master of Science in Education program for Family and Consumer Sciences should possess a bachelor’s degree with a major specialization in one of the following areas: clothing and textiles, food and nutrition, business, family studies, consumer economics and public policy, health and wellness, culinary arts, food service, fashion design, elementary education, or child psychology. Applicants must have completed 36 credits in  specific requirements as follows:

• Child Development/Human Development - 3-6 s.h.
• Interpersonal, Family or Career Studies - 3-6 s.h.
• Nutrition, Health and Wellness - 3-6 s.h.
• Food Science and Food Production - 3-6 s.h.
• Business Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship or Consumer Studies - 3-6 s.h.
• Fashion, Clothing and Textiles - 3-6 s.h.
• Interior Design and Environmental Studies - 3-6 s.h.
• Early Childhood, Elementary/Childhood or Adolescent Education - 3-6 s.h.

If one or more of the above content areas are missing from any student’s transcript, those content areas must be completed prior to student teaching.

Where academic subject matter deficiencies in the specific major are so great as to prevent completion of requisite work within the 36 s.h. master’s program, additional coursework may be required. Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 30 s.h. of the MSEd program in-residence at Hofstra. No more than 6 s.h. may be transferred into the program. Student teaching may be used to meet the residency requirement.

A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate coursework leading toward the MSEd may be completed prior to matriculation in the program. To register for courses in the program other than SED 205 , 213 , or 264 , a student must (1) be matriculated in the program or (2) have written permission of the course instructor or departmental chairperson prior to the beginning of the course. 

Program Requirements – Total Semester Hours: 37

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.

Students must receive grades of B- or higher in all required (non-elective) courses in the program.

Footnote*

*Course requires participation/observation in designated schools.

Field Experiences Prior to Student Teaching

Participation/observation field experiences in designated secondary schools are required in each of the following courses:

• LYST 209 /LYST 215A /LYST 217A : 10-hour field placement in varied settings, grades 7-12
  
  
• SED 295L : 50-hour field placement in Family and Consumer Middle School (25) and High School (25) varied settings, grades 10-12
• SPED 201 /SPED 264 : 20-hour field placement in settings with special needs, high needs students, grades 7-12
• SED 264: 20-hours of classroom observation and participation in a secondary school

At least one field placement must be in a district identified as high-needs by the New York State Education Department. All field experiences are incorporated into course curricula. Students enrolled in SPED 201/264 are placed in educational settings to work with students who have special needs or disabilities. A minimum of 100 clock hours or participation/observation is required prior to student teaching. The Office of Field Placement arranges placements. Departmental policy is to place prospective teachers in districts other than those in which they currently reside or in schools that they attended.

Student Teaching Prerequisites

Students will qualify for admission to SED 217 or 218, when they have satisfied the following requirements:

1. Completion of SED 205, CT 229, SED 295, SED 295L, LYST 209, 215A or 217A, and SPED 201 or 264 with a B- or higher.
2. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall graduate coursework.
3. Completion of all Family and Consumer Sciences content requirements. 

Application forms may be obtained in the Office of Field Placement in Hagedorn Hall.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of all Family and Consumer Sciences content requirements.
2. Completion of all course work for the MSEd Family and Consumer Sciences program with an overall GPA of 3.0 with no grades below B- in required courses.
3. Completion of a portfolio illustrating the student’s educational coursework and professional accomplishments.
4. A comprehensive examination or a curriculum project is completed under the supervision of the program director.
5. Completion of all required Educational Law Seminars.
6. All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

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 School of Education Dean’s Office 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), Content Specialty Test(s) (CST) and the edTPA. 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 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:

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 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 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 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.

Teachers who are pursuing work based learning extension certification must provide documentation to New York state of previous work experience. This experience might have been in high school, college, summer employment or in a previous career. This is the responsibility of the applicant. Hofstra University (or any institution providing the work based learning preparation courses) does not have a role in this documentation.

• Career Awareness – 300 clock hours outside of teaching required
• Career Development – 600 clock hours outside of teaching required