Admission Criteria

Admission to the master of science in education degree program in the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria including the following: 

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a liberal arts and sciences concentration.
2. An overall GPA of 2.75 or higher on all course work.
3. A GPA of 2.75 or higher in liberal arts and sciences course work. Applicants’ with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.75 may be accepted provisionally, subject to special conditions.
4. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession.
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 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.

Student Teaching - Semester Hours: 12

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 35 to 41

Pedagogical Core Requirements

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.

Field Experiences Prior to Student Teaching

(15 clock hours in each course)

Prospective teachers in the dual certification program in early childhood education and childhood education complete a minimum of 120 clock hours as participant observers in designated schools prior to student teaching. Placements are arranged by the Office of Field Placement.  At least one placement will be spent in a site recognized by the New York State Education Department as high-needs. Students in SPED 207 will participate on-site with students who have disabilities.

Student Teaching Prerequisites

1. Program Phase 2 and General Education Core must be completed prior to student teaching.
2. Application forms may be obtained from the Office of Field Placement. Applications are due on May 1 for the succeeding spring semester and February 15 for the succeeding fall semester.
3. Students must have a cumulative minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in graduate course work without incompletes. Student teaching will not be waived.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of General Education Core.
2. Successful completion of all course requirements for the Master of Science in Education Dual Certification in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education with an overall GPA of 3.0.
3. Completion of the 41 s.h. course requirements in the M.S. in Education Dual Certification Program in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education.
4. A comprehensive portfolio, illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.
5. A passing score on the departmental comprehensive examination or departmentally authorized equivalent (no degree credit).
6. All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

Footnotes

Teacher Certification Requirements

Upon the successful completion of a Hofstra state-approved teacher education program, students are eligible for the University’s recommendation for New York state certification. A request for recommendation must be submitted to the Office of Certification and Educational Support Services the semester in which the student is graduating. Students who apply directly to New York state for certification are responsible for learning about and satisfying the certification requirements set by the state. It should be noted that such requirements may differ from those in Hofstra’s registered programs.

All prospective early childhood (Birth-Grade 2), elementary (Grades 1-6) and secondary (Grades 7-12), special subject teachers and educational leaders are required to pass the New York State Teachers Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) administered by Pearson Education, for state certification requirements. Students should consult with the Office of Certification and Educational Support Services regarding the appropriate examinations for their area of study. Beginning in May 2013 graduating students will be required to pass new Performance Assessments and revised Content Specialty Tests.

It is strongly recommended that students complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) prior to student teaching, and the Assessment of Teaching Skills Written (ATS-W) and the Content Specialty Test (CST) during student teaching. Students not receiving passing scores on these examinations will not be eligible for certification.

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.