Early Childhood Education, M.S.Ed.

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Professor Fromberg, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-5768, Doris.P.Fromberg@hofstra.edu

The master’s program in early childhood education is offered by the Department of Curriculum and Teaching. This integrated program leads toward the New York State Initial Certificate to teach Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2). The program blends on-campus preparation with field experiences in a variety of early childhood settings, including high-needs schools, culminating in full-time student teaching. This program is registered with the New York State Education Department.

Admission Critera for the Early Childhood Education Program

Admission to the M.S. in Education program in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching is contingent upon the following:

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a liberal arts and sciences concentration.
A minimum GPA of 2.75 in each of two categories:
1. Overall undergraduate course work.
2. Course work in the liberal arts and sciences.
General Education Core prerequisites for teacher education programs (see below).
A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and graduate course work.
An interview with the program director.

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 but feel that other aspects of their experience might compensate.

General Education Core

See the General Education Core Requirements within the School of Education and Allied Human.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 38

Early Childhood Education Major 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. Grades lower than B do not confer credit in required (non-elective) courses in the program. Students may repeat courses to meet grade point average requirements.

Phase 1 - Semester Hours: 7

Admission to the M.S. in Education Early Childhood Education Program

SPED 210 - The Creative Arts in Special Education Credits: 3 s.h

*see footnote

ELED 211A - Young Children’s Movement, Rhythmic Activities, Music and Play Semester Hours: 1
Foundations of Education graduate-level elective selected from the following: 3 s.h.
FDED 200 - Philosophy of Education Semester Hours: 3
FDED 210 - Contemporary Educational Movements Semester Hours: 3
FDED 211 - The School and Society Semester Hours: 3
FDED 230 - History of Education in the United States Semester Hours: 3
FDED 231 - Childhood and Adolescence in Historical Perspective Semester Hours: 3
FDED 240 - Urban Education Semester Hours: 3
FDED 244 - Seminar: Alternative Education Semester Hours: 3
FDED 248 - Multicultural Education in the Metropolitan Area Semester Hours: 3
FDED 251 - Theory of Knowledge and Education Semester Hours: 3
FDED 252 - Ethics for Educators Semester Hours: 3
FDED 255 - Seminar: Social Foundations of Education Semester Hours: 3

Phase 2 - Semester Hours: 22

ELED 202 - Teaching Reading, Writing, and Language Arts: PreK-Grade 3 Semester Hours: 3
(See footnote *)
ELED 208 - Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Teaching Mathematics and Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Curriculum Semester Hours: 3
(See footnote *)
ELED 215 - Methods for Study of and Research With Young Children Semester Hours: 3
(See footnote *)
ELED 216 - Early Childhood Curriculum Semester Hours: 3
(See footnote *)
ELED 217 - Developing and Evaluating Innovations in Early Childhood Curriculum Semester Hours: 3
(See footnote *)
ELED 243 - Multicultural Perspectives on Early Childhood Development Semester Hours: 3
(See footnote *)
ELED 258 - Introduction to Information Technology in Education Semester Hours: 1
ELED 275 - Literacy in Early Childhood Education Semester Hours: 3
(See footnote *)

Phase 3 - Semester Hours: 9

Admission to Student Teaching

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 120 clock hours (15 clock hours in each designated course) 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 210 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

Program Phase 2 and General Education Core must be completed prior to student teaching.
Application forms for student teaching are available in the Office of Field Placement and are accepted by October 1 or March 1 for the succeeding semester.
Students must have a cumulative minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in graduate course work.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of General Education Core requirements.
Completion of all course requirements for the Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education with an overall GPA of 3.0.
Completion of the 38 s.h. course requirements in the M.S. in Education in Early Childhood Education program with no fewer than 32 s.h. in residence at Hofstra University.
An electronic portfolio, illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.
A passing score on the departmental comprehensive examination or departmentally authorized equivalent (no degree credit).
The completion of the master’s degree within a five-year period.

Teacher Certification Requirements

See Teacher Certification Requirements within the School of Education and Allied Human Services.

Footnotes

*Fifteen clock hours of field work required in each designated course.

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