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:
- A completed application form to the M.A. program.
- New York State Initial Certification in Childhood or Early Childhood Education. (Applicants who have Provisional Certification rather that Initial Certification should see the appropriate graduate program director for the program alternatives.)
- A minimum grade point average of 2.75 in each of two categories: overall undergraduate course work and course work in the liberal arts and sciences. Applicants with GPAs between 2.5 and 2.75 may be accepted provisionally, subject to specific conditions.
- A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
- Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate course work.
- An interview with the Program Director.
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 if they do not meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience may compensate.
Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 24 s.h. of the M.A. program in residence at Hofstra. No more than 6 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.
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. Students must receive grades of B or higher in all required (non-elective) courses in the program.
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
*Special Provision for Childhood Certification: Students holding an Initial Certificate in Early Childhood Education and who wish to obtain an additional certification in Childhood Education must register for ELED 253D for 2 semester hours. Students will be required to fulfill a 20-day field experience in grades 3-6. Additionally, students must complete 50 clock hours of classroom participation/observation prior to enrolling in ELED 253D. The classroom participation/ observation field experience will be planned and supervised by the student’s academic adviser. All participation/ observation field experiences will occur in grades 3-6. Students should contact the Office of Field Placement in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching to arrange field placements.
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