Admission Requirements

Applications for admission to a Master of Arts (M.A.) program in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching are made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. A completed application form to the M.A. program.
2. New York state initial certification in adolescence education, valid for teaching music in grades PreK-12. (Applicants who have provisional certification rather than initial certification should see the appropriate graduate director for program alternatives.)
3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in each of two categories:
   1. Overall undergraduate course work;
   2. Course work in the content area in which certification will be sought.
   Applicants with GPAs between 2.5 and 2.75 may be accepted provisionally, subject to special conditions.
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.
6. A conducting audition and interview with the program coordinator.

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

Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 24 s.h. of the M.A. program in residence at Hofstra. No more than 9 s.h. may be transferred into the program. A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading toward the M.A. degree may be completed prior to matriculation in the program.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 33

Additional Laboratory/Performance Requirements

• Students must arrange for the use of a laboratory ensemble for all three semesters of MUS 251-252. This may be fulfilled by using any elementary or secondary school ensemble.
• Students must arrange for, administer, plan, rehearse, and conduct a public performance no earlier than the last semester of study. The ensemble used may be any elementary or secondary school ensemble.
• All students must pass a comprehensive wind conducting jury prior to their public performance.

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.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of the 33 s.h. course requirement in the M.A. program with no fewer than 24 s.h. in residence.
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in overall graduate course work.
3. Satisfactory completion of a departmental-approved curriculum project.
4. Satisfaction of Additional Laboratory/Performance Requirements (see above).
5. All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

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.