Admission Requirements

Application for admission to a master of arts program in the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership is made to the Office of Graduate Admission. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. A completed application form to the master of arts program.
2. New York state initial certification in childhood education. Applicants who have provisional certification rather than initial certification will be enrolled in a program leading to permanent certification.
3. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 in each of two categories:
           a.    Overall undergraduate course work;
           b.    Course work in the liberal arts and sciences.
4. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s success in the teaching profession and the capacity to undertake graduate study.
5. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
6. 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 master of arts 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 master of arts 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.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 35-36

The master’s in elementary education consists of a minimum of 35 semester hours of graduate course work. Students must complete all course requirements from one of the following areas of specialization:

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of all course requirements for the master of arts program in elementary education (35-36 s.h.) with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
2. Completion of all course requirements in one of the following specialization areas: The arts and humanities; curriculum studies in multicultural communities; or educational technology.
3. Successful completion of the master’s thesis.
4. All course work in the master’s degree program must be completed within a five-year period.

Teacher Certification Requirements

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 fulfilling the required courses of study, the Commissioner’s Regulations mandate that all prospective teachers, pupil personnel and education leaders receive instructions regarding:
    1.     Identification of Child Abuse and Maltreatment.
    2.     Fire and Arson Prevention.
    3.     School Violence Prevention and Intervention.
    4.     Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Abuse.
    5.     Highway and School Safety/Prevention of Child Abduction.

New York State legislation also requires all persons seeking certification as special education teachers or school administrators working in special education to have training in the area of children with autism. All of these requirements must be completed before the conferral of the degree and recommendation for certification. Candidates for certification in New York state must also demonstrate satisfactory performance on the requisite state assessment. 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.