Program Philosophy, Goals and Objectives

The program emphasizes the requisite core curricula, as described in NYS and National Standards, which are provided in technology rich, authentic learning environments. Family and consumer sciences educators provide instruction at various grade levels. The program addresses all areas of the family and consumer sciences discipline. The Hofstra University program seeks to equip prospective teachers with a myriad of research-based, teaching strategies to assist them in achieving these goals. The program values the development of reflective scholar-practitioners who are committed to effective teaching and to continued professional growth. Prospective teachers are expected to be able to evaluate their professional practice critically to seek the support of their colleagues, communities and students to improve all aspects of their professional roles.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to a Master of Science in Education program in the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership  are made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Students who do not meet the full admission requirements may be advised to complete prerequisite courses under a planned program before becoming eligible for admission. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. A completed application form to the master’s program.
2. A minimum GPA of 2.75 in each of two categories:
   (A) Overall undergraduate course work
   (B) Course work in the content area in which certification will be sought.
3. Completion of General Education Core prerequisites for teacher education programs with a minimum GPA of 2.75.
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. A bachelor’s degree. (See Family and Consumer Sciences Content Requirement below.)

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

Family and Consumer Sciences Content Requirements

Students admitted to the Master of Science in Education program for Family and Consumer Sciences should possess a bachelor’s degree with a major specialization in one of the following areas: clothing and textiles, food and nutrition, business, family studies, consumer economics and public policy, health and wellness, culinary arts, food service, fashion design, elementary education, or child psychology. Applicants must have completed specific requirements as follows:

If one or more of the above content areas are missing from any student’s transcript, those content areas must be completed prior to completion of the graduate studies. Six credits of content studies taken at the graduate level can be applied toward the elective category of the degree program.

Where academic subject matter deficiencies in the specific major are so great as to prevent completion of requisite work within the 36 s.h. master’s program, additional course work may be required. Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 30 s.h. of the M.S.Ed. program in-residence at Hofstra. No more than 6 s.h. may be transferred into the program. Student teaching may be used to meet the residency requirement.

A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading toward the M.S.Ed. may be completed prior to matriculation in the program. To register for courses in the program other than SED 205 , 213 , or 264 , a student must (1) be matriculated in the program, or (2) have written permission of the course instructor or departmental chairperson prior to the beginning of the course. 

General Education Core Prerequisites

Prospective teachers seeking New York state Initial certification must complete a specified set of General Education Core requirements including, Artistic Expression, Communication, Information Retrieval, History/Social Science, Language Other Than English, Science, Mathematics, and Literature/Written Expression (6 s.h.). A minimum 2.75 GPA is required for the total course work in the General Education Core.

Program Requirements – Total Semester Hours: 36

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 must receive grades of B- or higher in all required (non-elective) courses in the program.

Footnote

*Course requires participation/observation in designated schools.

Field Experiences Prior to Student Teaching

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

• SED 264  (20-hour field placement in a high-needs district, grades 7-12)
• SED 296E  (50-hour field placement in varied settings, grades 7-12)
• SPED 201  / SPED 264  (20-hour field placement in settings with special-needs students, grades 7-12)
• LYST 209  / LYST 215A  / LYST 217A  (10-hour field placement in varied settings, grades 7-12)
  

At least one field placement must be in a district identified as high-needs by the New York State Education Department. All field experiences are incorporated into course curricula. Students enrolled in SPED 201/264 are placed in educational settings to work with students who have special needs or disabilities. A minimum of 100 clock hours or participation/observation is required prior to student teaching. The Office of Field Placement arranges placements. 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

Students will qualify for admission to SED 217 or 218, when they have satisfied the following requirements:

1. Completion of CT 200, SED 205, CT 229, SED 264, SED 296E, LYST 209, 215A or 217A, and SPED 201 or 264 with a B- or higher,
2. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall graduate course work.

Application forms may be obtained in the Office of Field Placement in Hagedorn Hall.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation from the program requires:

1. Completion of all General Education Core prerequisites.
2. Completion of all Family and Consumer Sciences content requirements.
3. Completion of all course work for the M.S.Ed. Family and Consumer Sciences program with an overall GPA of 3.0 with no grades below B- in required courses.
4. Completion of a portfolio illustrating the student’s educational course work and professional accomplishments.
5. A comprehensive examination or a curriculum project completed under the supervision of the program director.

All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

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.