Program Requirements

Students choose a major in history or one of the social sciences (Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science or Sociology) within the liberal arts and sciences. During the second semester of the sophomore year (a minimum of 45 semester hours of college course work), the student then chooses Social Studies Education as a co-major. For program admission policies, procedures, and program requirements, see Secondary Education Undergraduate Programs.

Prospective teachers of social studies must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours in history and social studies course with at least 21 semester hours in history and geography. The Hofstra University program requires a distribution of history and social studies courses in specific subject areas as follows:

Secondary Education Program - Semester Hours: 31

Student Teaching Prerequisites

After completing at least 19 semester hours of professional education course work and an adviser audit of content area course work, students may apply for admission to student teaching. Application forms may be obtained in the office of Field Placement. Admission criteria are as follows:

1. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on overall course work or permission of adviser
2. No grades lower than C- and no unresolved INC grades in required social studies or professional education course work .
3. A GPA of 2.5 or higher in social studies content courses

Graduation Requirements

Graduation from the program requires:

1. Completion of all graduation requirements for the bachelor’s degree in the major content area in which the certification will be sought;
2. Completion of all course requirements for the co-major in the concentration area within secondary education;
3. No grades lower than C- and no unresolved INC grades in professional education course work;
4. A minimum GPA of 2.75 in overall course work;
5. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in the major area in which the certification will be sought;
6. An electronic portfolio, illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments, a comprehensive examination, or curriculum project completed under the supervision of the program director.

See Also: Complete B.A. Requirements

B.A. Requirements  in HCLAS.

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 Educational Support Services the semester in which the student is graduating. There will be opportunities to attend a certification workshop during the student’s final semester, to receive all the necessary information regarding applying for certification. Individuals 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), childhood (Grades 1-6), adolescent (Grades 7-12) and special subject, students with disabilities, gifted, TESOL, bilingual, literacy, speech and language disabilities teachers, as well as school leadership candidates, are required to pass the New York State Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) administered by National Evaluation Systems, Inc., For state certification requirements, students should consult with the Office of Educational Support Services regarding the appropriate examinations for their area of study.

We anticipate that teacher and school building leader candidates applying for certification on or after May 1, 2014, will be required to take certain new exams. Candidates who graduate and apply for certification on or before April 30, 2014, but do not meet all the requirements for an initial certificate on or before April 30, 2014, will also be required to pass the new exams. Candidates will not be permitted to mix and match examinations from the old and new tests. Please contact the Office of Educational Support Services at Hofstra University at 516-463-5747 or consult the state website.

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
6. Training in Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention required under the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

New York state legislation also requires all persons seeking certification in special education, speech and language disabilities or school administrators working in special education, to have training in the area of children with autism.

Hofstra University offers the above listed educational law seminars through the Office of Educational Support Services. All of these seminars must be completed before the conferral of the degree and recommendation for certification.

Forms for applying for certification can be found at the Office of Educational Support Services Web page under the certification tab.

Fingerprinting
Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000, the Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE), requires that applicants for teaching and administrative and pupil services personnel certification and perspective employees of covered schools (school districts, charter schools and BOCES) must undergo fingerprint supported criminal history background check. However, many school districts and institutions across the metropolitan New York area are now requiring that all student teachers, observers, interns or externs receive fingerprint clearance before they are placed in educational settings that are required for this degree program. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for fingerprint clearance upon acceptance to the program. Fingerprinting can be completed through Hofstra University using LIVESCAN technology, arranged by the Office of Educational Support Services each semester. You may contact us at 516-463-5747 or visit Hagedorn Hall, Room 129. You may also register online. Fingerprint clearance is also required for New York state certification.