Mar 29, 2024  
2004-2005 Graduate Bulletin 
    
2004-2005 Graduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

M.S.Ed in Elementary Education


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Graduate Programs Offered

Professor Miletta, Graduate Program Co-Director, (516) 463-5180, catmmm@hofstra.edu

Assistant Professor Fusco, Graduate Program Co-Director, (516) 463-7704, catezf@hofstra.edu

The master’s program in elementary education is offered by the Department of Curriculum and Teaching. This program leads toward the New York State Initial Certificate to teach Childhood Education (grades 1-6). The program blends oncampus preparation with field experiences in a variety of elementary school settings, including high-needs schools, culminating in full-time student teaching. This program is registered with the New York State Education Department.

Admission Criteria for the Elementary Education Program


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

  1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a liberal arts and sciences concentration.
  2. A minimum GPA of 2.75 in each of two categories:
    1. Overall undergraduate course work
    2. Course work in the liberal arts and science
    3. Students with a GPA of 2.5-2.75 may be accepted provisionally, subject to special conditions.
  3. General Education Core prerequisites for teacher education programs (see below).
  4. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
  5. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and graduate course work.

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


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

  1. Artistic Expression/Humanities
  2. Communication
  3. Information Retrieval
  4. History
  5. Social Science Concepts
  6. Philosophy
  7. Language other than English
  8. Scientific Processes
  9. Mathematical Processes
  10. Written Analysis and Expression
  11. Cross-Cultural Appreciation

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 39


Elementary Education Major Requirements

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in order to remain 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.

Phase I - Semester Hours: 8


Admission to the Elementary Education Program

Foundations of Education graduate-level elective selected from among the following: 3 s.h.

Phase III - Semester Hours: 9


Admission to Student Teaching

Field Experiences Before Student Teaching


Prospective teachers in the elementary 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 grades 1-6 will be spent in a high-need site recognized by the New York State Education Department. Students in SPED 264 will participate on-site with special needs children in grades 1-6. Field experiences before student teaching with children in grades 1-3 and 4-6 are integrated with the following courses:

Student Teaching Prerequisites


  1. Program Phase 2 and General Education core must be completed prior to student teaching.
  2. 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.
  3. Students must have a cumulative minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in graduate course work.

Graduation Requirements


  1. Completion of all requirements for the Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education with an overall GPA of 3.0;
  2. Completion of the 39 s.h. course requirements in the M.S. in Elementary Education program;
  3. An electronic portfolio, illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments;
  4. A passing score on the departmental comprehensive examination or departmentally authorized equivalent (no degree credit);
  5. The completion of the master’s degree within a 5-year period.

Teacher Certification Requirements


Upon successful completion of a teacher education program, students will be eligible to apply for the University’s recommendation for New York State Certification. For Initial 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 (CST’s). Students not receiving passing scores on all New York State required examinations will not be eligible for certification. In addition, all students who are recommended by Hofstra’s Advisement and Certification Office must attend seminars in Child Abuse and Maltreatment, Substance Abuse, Fire and Arson and Safe Schools Against Violence (Project SAVE). It is strongly recommended that students complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) prior to student teaching and the ATS-W and the appropriate CST during student teaching. Please contact the Advisement and Certification Office for information regarding the fingerprinting requirement and any other specific requirements regarding certification.

Footnotes


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

**ELED 275 may be taken in substitution for ELED 205.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Graduate Programs Offered