Admission Requirements

Application for admission to a Master of Science in Education program in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching are made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Students who do not meet the full admission requirements must complete all prerequisite courses prior to the conferring of the master’s degree. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. A completed application form to the master’s program.
2. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 in each of two categories:
   1. Overall undergraduate course work,
   2. Course work in the content area in which certification is being sought.
3. Completion of General Education Core prerequisites for teacher education programs.
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 course work.

The department understands that any single criterion may not predict a candidate’s potential for success in a graduate program. Candidates may wish to apply if they do not meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience may compensate.

General Education Core

English Content Requirements

Students admitted to the M.S. in Education program in English Education must have a minimum of 36 s.h. in English courses with a distribution of courses in the following areas:

1. Minimum of 3 s.h. in English language, linguistics or general language;
2. minimum of 6 s.h. in American literature;
3. minimum of 6 s.h. in English literature;
4. minimum of 3 s.h. in world literature;
5. minimum of 12 additional s.h. (with advisement).

Candidates who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in their certification area, but who have succeeded in completing a majority of the required content courses with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher, are eligible to apply for the M.S. in Education program. Upon matriculation in the program, candidates may continue to complete the required courses while they are completing the requirements for the master’s program. Where academic subject deficiencies in English are so great as to prevent completion of requisite work within the 37 s.h. master’s program, additional course work may be required. Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 31 s.h. in residence at Hofstra University. No more than 9 s.h. may be transferred into the program. Student Teaching may be used to meet the 31 s.h. residency requirement.

A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading toward the M.S. in Education degree may be completed prior to matriculation in the program. To register for courses in the program other than SED 205, 213, and 264 a student must 1) be matriculated in the program, or 2) have written permission of the chairperson of Curriculum and Teaching or their academic adviser prior to the beginning of the course. Students accepted to the program must meet with their adviser to determine any undergraduate content area deficiencies and to complete a plan of study (Graduate Students Advisement Record).

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 37

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 while in the program. Grades of D will not be counted toward the graduate degree but will be included in determining the grade point average. Students may repeat courses to meet grade point average requirements.

The M.S. in Education in English Education consists of 37 s.h. of course work, including the following:

Field Experiences Prior to Student Teaching

• LYST 209 - Language, Culture and Identity: Literacy Issues for Adolescents and Young Adults Semester Hours: 3

• 10-hour field placement in varied settings, grades 7-12

• LYST 215A - Language and Literacy in Middle Childhood and Adolescence Semester Hours: 3

• 10-hour field placement in varied settings, grades 7-12

• LYST 217A - Reading and Writing With Adolescents Semester Hours: 3

• 10-hour field placement in varied settings, grades 7-12

• SED 213 - Adolescent Development and Learning Semester Hours: 3

• 20-hour field placement in varied settings, grades 7-9

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

• 20-hour field placement in high-needs district, grades 7-12

• SED 290 - Instructional Patterns for English Semester Hours: 3

• 30-hour field placement in varied settings, grades 10-12

• SPED 201 - The Exceptional Child Semester Hours: 3

• 20-hour field placement in settings with special-needs students, grades 7-12

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

• 20-hour field placement in settings with special-needs students, grades 7-12

Student Teaching Prerequisites

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

1. Completion of SED 200, 205, 213, 264, 296; SPED 201, 264 and LYST 209, 215A, 217A.
2. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall graduate course work. 

Application forms may be obtained from the Office of Field Placement. Applications are due on October 1 for the succeeding spring semester and March 1 for the succeeding fall semester.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of all General Education Core requirements.
2. Successful completion of all English content requirements.
3. Completion of the 37 s.h. course requirement in the M.S. in Education program with no fewer than 28 s.h. in residence.
4. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in overall graduate course work.
5. An electronic portfolio illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.
6. All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

Footnotes

Teacher Certification

Upon successful completion of a teacher education program, students will be eligible to apply for the University’s recommendation for New York state certification. Students are required to have passing scores on each of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE): the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W), and the appropriate Content Specialty Tests (CSTs). Students not receiving passing scores on all New York state required examinations will not be eligible for certification. In addition to fulfilling educational requirements, the New York State Education Department requires that all prospective teachers being recommended for teacher education programs receive instruction for the purpose of preventing child abuse, maltreatment and child abduction and preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse. In addition, a seminar on SAVE legislation, and a seminar on safety education and fire and arson prevention are required in accordance with the Education Laws. No student is recommended for certification without the completion of all of these requirements. Please contact the Advisement and Certification Office for information regarding the fingerprinting requirement and any other specific requirements regarding certification.