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.

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

Prospective teachers in the dual certification program in early childhood education and childhood education complete a minimum of 115 clock hours (2 50-hour internships each in ELED 203E and ELED 204E plus 15 hours in SPED 207) 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.

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.

Footnotes