Dec 10, 2024  
2011-2012 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2011-2012 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Fine Arts and Music Education, Certificate in


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Associate Professor Zwirn, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-4976.
Associate Professor Robinson, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-4514.

The certificate in fine arts and music education (all grades), is a 26 s.h. certificate program leading to initial New York state certification for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers. This program is intended for individuals who hold a master’s degree or higher. Students are required to have a major or equivalent (a minimum of 40 s.h. for music and a minimum of 48 s.h. for fine arts) in an appropriate content area (or related area) during either their undergraduate or graduate study.

In subsequent paragraphs the standard requirements and options are outlined. Substitutions will be permitted with advisement where, in the light of the student’s background and academic preparation, other courses are seen by the department to be appropriate.

Application for admission to the certificate program in fine arts and music education is made to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Students who have not met the full admission requirements may be advised to complete prerequisite courses under a planned program before becoming eligible for acceptance.

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate’s potential for success in a graduate program. Consequently, candidates are welcome to apply if they do not meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience may compensate.

On average, students complete this program in two and one-half academic years.

Admission Requirements



Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

  1. A completed application form to the program.
  2. A bachelor’s degree with a major (or equivalent) in the content area in which certification will be sought and a master’s degree or an equivalent advanced degree in the content area where certification is being sought.
  3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in each of two categories:
    1. undergraduate liberal arts course work,
    2. course work in the area(s) in which certification is sought. Applicants with a GPA between 2.50 and 2.75 may be accepted provisionally, subject to special conditions.
  4. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
  5. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate course work.
  6. An interview, audition, and/or portfolio.

Before completion of the first 12 credits of the program, it is recommended that students complete the liberal arts component of the teacher certification examinations.

A maximum of 6 graduate credits may be transferred into programs with the permission of the program graduate director.

General Education Prerequisites



  • Three semester hours introductory psychology or equivalent.
  • Meet requirements of General Education Liberal Arts and Sciences core for initial certification.
  • Appropriate content area specialization.

Content Area Requirements in Area of Specialization:



Fine Arts Education

Requires 48 s.h. in college-level fine arts course work including Western and non-Western art history, two and three dimensional design, artistic techniques in drawing, painting, sculpture or ceramics, computer graphics or multimedia, printmaking, photography or graphic design or equivalents or established competency in the field.

Music Education
40 s.h. in college-level music course work including music theory, music history and literature, applied music, conducting, secondary applied, and performance or equivalents or established competency in the field.

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 certificate but will be included in determining the grade point average.

Fine Arts Education Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 26


Introductory Courses - Semester Hours: 7


General Methods Course - Semester Hours: 3


Special Methods and Literacy Courses: 7 s.h.


Student Teaching and Required Seminar - Semester Hours: 9


Field Experiences Prior To Student Teaching for Fine Arts


Participation/observation field experiences in designated secondary schools are required in each of the following courses.

CT 229
20 clock-hour placement in varied settings, grades PreK-12
CT 298A
20 clock-hour placement in elementary settings, grades PreK-6
CT 298B
20 clock-hour placement in varied settings, grades 10-12
SED 264
20 clock-hour placement in high-needs district, grades 7-12
SPED 201/264;
20 clock-hour field placement in settings with special-needs students, grades 7-12

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. Departmental policy is to place prospective teachers in districts other than those in which they currently reside or in schools that they attended.

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; SED 200, 264; and SPED 201/264;
  2. Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall graduate course work.

Applications are obtainable from the Office of Field Placement and are due on May 1 for the succeeding spring semester and February 15 for the succeeding fall semester.


Music Education Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 26


Introductory Courses - Semester Hours: 7 s.h.


General Methods Courses - Semester Hours: 3


Special Methods and Literacy Courses - Semester Hours: 7


Student Teaching and Required Seminar - Semester Hours: 9


Field Experiences Prior to Student Teaching


Participation/observation field experiences in designated secondary schools are required in each of the following courses.

CT 229
20 clock-hour placement in varied settings, grades PreK-12
CT 299A
20 clock-hour placement in elementary settings, grades PreK-6
CT 299B
20 clock-hour placement in varied settings, grades 10-12
SED 264
20 clock-hour placement in high-needs district, grades 7-12
SPED 201/264
20 clock-hour field placement in settings with special-needs students, grades 7-12

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. Departmental policy is to place prospective teachers in districts other than those in which they currently reside or in schools that they attended.

Student Teaching Prerequisites


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

  1. Complete CT 229, 299A, 299B; SED 200, 264;  and SPED 201/264;
  2. Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall graduate course work.

Applications are obtainable from the Office of Field Placement and are due on May 1 for the succeeding spring semester and February 15 for the succeeding fall semester.


Completion Requirements For Certificate Program in Fine Arts and Music Education


  1. Completion of all General Education Core prerequisites.
  2. Completion of program requirements.
  3. Completion of all content area and special liberal arts requirements.
  4. Completion of the 26 s.h. course requirement in the certification program.
  5. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in overall graduate course work.
  6. An electronic portfolio, illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.
  7. All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

Footnote


*Course requires participation/observation in designated schools.

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.

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