Mar 29, 2024  
2007-2008 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2007-2008 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Fine Arts Education, M.S.Ed.


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Associate Professor Zwirn, Graduate Program Director,
(516) 463-4976, Susan.G.Zwirn@hofstra.edu

This program leads to initial certification as a teacher in visual arts in all grades. The program is designed to provide students who have completed baccalaureate studies in fine arts and art history with course work and field experiences in fine arts education, resulting in effective public school teaching. This program blends on-campus preparation with field experiences in a variety of school settings, culminating in full-time student teaching. It conforms with New York State Learning Standards for the Arts and with recommendations for teacher preparation by the National Art Education Association.

Admission Requirements



Applications for admission to master of science in education programs in the department of curriculum and teaching are made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Admissions decisions are based on comprehensive reviews of the following:

  1. A completed application form to the master’s program.
  2. Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, at least one indicating conferral of a baccalaureate degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in
    1. Overall course work, and
    2. Course work in fine arts and art history.
  3. A written personal statement describing the candidate’s goals in the teaching profession and in graduate studies.
  4. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate studies.
  5. A portfolio of arts works (or photographs thereof), including a drawing, a painting, a sculpture, and one additional submission of the student’s choice.

The faculty of the department of curriculum and teaching recognize that a single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate’s potential for success in a graduate program and in the teaching profession. Accordingly, candidates may wish to apply if they do not meet one of the criteria but believe that other aspects of their experience may compensate. Students who do not meet the admissions requirements may be advised to complete prerequisite courses under a planned program before becoming eligible for admission. A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading toward the master of science in education may be completed prior to matriculation in the program.

General Education Core Requirements


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, 3 s.h.
   2.     Communication, 3 s.h.
   3.     Information Retrieval, (0-3 s.h.; can be satisfied with passing score on exam)
   4.    Historical and Social Science Concepts, 3 s.h.
   5.     Language other than English, (0-3 s.h.; depending on placement)
   6.     Scientific Processes, 3 s.h.
   7.     Mathematical Processes, 3 s.h.
   8.     Written Analysis and Expression, 6 s.h.

Please note that programs may have general education requirements that exceed the minimum registered with the state. Degrees will not be conferred unless all general education core deficiencies have been met.

Fine Arts Content Requirements


Prospective teachers must satisfy fine arts content requirements to qualify for New York state initial certification in special-subject education, valid for teaching fine arts (grades PreK-12). Hofstra’s program in fine arts education requires students to submit transcripts documenting completion of a minimum of 48 s.h. of post-secondary course work, distributed as follows:

  1. Art history: 9 s.h.
    Western art, 3-6 s.h.
    non-Western art, 3-6 s.h.
  2. Design: 6 s.h.
    two-dimensional design, 3 s.h.
    three-dimensional design, 3 s.h.
  3. Fundamental artistic techniques: 18 s.h.
    drawing, 3-6 s.h.
    painting, 3-6 s.h.
    sculpture or ceramics, 3-6 s.h.
    computer graphics or multimedia, 3-6 s.h.
    printing, photography, or graphic design, 3-6 s.h.
  4. Electives in fine arts or art history: 6 s.h.
  5. Specialization in an artistic technique: 9 s.h. 

Candidates who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, but who have completed a significant number of the required fine arts content courses with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher, may apply for admission to the M.S. in Education program. Upon matriculation to the program, students may continue to complete the required content courses while they are completing the requirements for the master’s degree. Graduate courses in fine arts and art history taken in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.S. in Education degree may also be used to fulfill fine arts content requirements. All content area requirements must be completed prior to the conferring of the master’s degree.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 38



To register for courses other than SED 205, 264, or CT 213, students must be matriculated in the program or have written permission of the Chairperson of Curriculum and Teaching or their academic adviser.

Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 29 s.h. in residence at Hofstra University. Student Teaching may be used to meet the 29 s.h. residence requirement. With the academic adviser’s approval, a maximum of 9 s.h. may be transferred into the program from accredited institutions; it is strongly recommended that students consult their adviser prior to enrolling in courses intended for transfer into the program.

Students must maintain a minimum 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. Students may repeat courses to meet grade point average requirements.

The course of study in fine arts education consists of a minimum of 38 semester hours of course work as follows:

Choose From: Semester Hours: 3


General Mehods Courses - Semester Hours: 4


Special Methods and Curriculum Courses - Semester Hours: 9


Elective Courses - Semester Hours: 6


Choose with advisement.

Recommended are courses in Fine Arts, Art History, Curriculum and Teaching, Literacy Studies, Research, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Special Education.  Especially recommended are the following courses:

Student Teaching and Corequisite Seminar - Semester Hours: 9


Choose one course from the following: Semester Hours: 6


Field Experiences Prior to Student Teaching


A minimum of 100 clock hours of participation/observation is required prior to student teaching. Field experiences are integrated extensively into course curricula. At least one placement (SED 264) will be spent in a site recognized by the New York State Education Department as high-needs. Placements are arranged by the Office of Field Placement. Department policy is to place prospective teachers in districts other than those in which they currently reside or in schools they attended.

Participation/observation field experiences in designated schools are required as follows:

Student Teaching Prerequisites


To qualify for admission to Student Teaching (CT 227) or Supervised Teaching (CT 228), students must

  1. Complete CT 229, 298A, 298B; LYST 202; SED 200, 205, 264; and SPED 201/264.
  2. Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall graduate course work.

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

Graduation Requirements


  1. Completion of General Education requirements for teacher education programs;
  2. Completion of fine arts content requirements with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in fine arts course work;
  3. Completion of fine arts education requirements with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in graduate studies (38 s.h. with no fewer than 32 s.h. in residence);
  4. An electronic portfolio illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments;
  5. All course work offered in satisfaction of fine arts education requirements must be completed within a five-year period.

Teacher Certification


Upon successful completion of a school-based program, students will be eligible to apply for the University’s recommendation for New York state certification. The state requires applicants 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). The state will not issue certification to individuals not receiving passing scores on all New York examinations. In addition to pedagogical studies, the Commissioner’s Regulations require that all school-based programs provide students with instruction for the purpose of  identification of child abuse and maltreatment; fire and arson prevention; prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse; School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE); and highway and school safety/prevention of child abduction. No degrees will be conferred without the completion of all of these requirements. Please contact the Office of Certification and Educational Support Services for information regarding fingerprinting, examinations and seminars. 

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