Admission Requirements

Applications for admission to master of science in education programs in the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership are made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Admissions decisions are based on comprehensive reviews of the following:

1. A completed application form to the master’s program.
2. Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, at least one indicating conferral of a baccalaureate degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in
   1. Overall course work, and
   2. Course work in fine arts and art history.
3. A written personal statement describing the candidate’s goals in the teaching profession and in graduate studies.
4. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate studies.
5. A portfolio of arts works (or photographs thereof), including a drawing, a painting, a sculpture, and one additional submission of the student’s choice.

The faculty of the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership recognize that a single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate’s potential for success in a graduate program and in the teaching profession. Accordingly, candidates may wish to apply if they do not meet one of the criteria but believe that other aspects of their experience may compensate. Students who do not meet the admissions requirements may be advised to complete prerequisite courses under a planned program before becoming eligible for admission. A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading toward the master of science in education may be completed prior to matriculation in the program.

Fine Arts Content Requirements

Prospective teachers must satisfy fine arts content requirements to qualify for New York state initial certification in special-subject education, valid for teaching fine arts (grades PreK-12). Hofstra’s program in fine arts education requires students to submit transcripts documenting completion of a minimum of 48 s.h. of post-secondary course work, distributed as follows:

1. Art history: 9 s.h.
   Western art, 3-6 s.h.
   non-Western art, 3-6 s.h.
2. Design: 6 s.h.
   two-dimensional design, 3 s.h.
   three-dimensional design, 3 s.h.
3. Fundamental artistic techniques: 18 s.h.
   drawing, 3-6 s.h.
   painting, 3-6 s.h.
   sculpture or ceramics, 3-6 s.h.
   computer graphics or multimedia, 3-6 s.h.
   printing, photography, or graphic design, 3-6 s.h.
4. Electives in fine arts or art history: 6 s.h.
5. Specialization in an artistic technique: 9 s.h. 

Candidates who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, but who have completed a significant number of the required fine arts content courses with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher, may apply for admission to the M.S. in Education program. Upon matriculation to the program, students may continue to complete the required content courses while they are completing the requirements for the master’s degree. Graduate courses in fine arts and art history taken in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.S. in Education degree may also be used to fulfill fine arts content requirements. All content area requirements must be completed prior to the conferring of the master’s degree.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 38

To register for courses other than SED 205, 264, or CT 213, students must be matriculated in the program or have written permission of the Chairperson of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership or their academic adviser.

Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 29 s.h. in residence at Hofstra University. Student Teaching may be used to meet the 29 s.h. residence requirement. With the academic adviser’s approval, a maximum of 9 s.h. may be transferred into the program from accredited institutions; it is strongly recommended that students consult their adviser prior to enrolling in courses intended for transfer into the program.

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 may repeat courses to meet grade point average requirements.

The course of study in fine arts education consists of a minimum of 38 semester hours of course work as follows:

Field Experiences Prior to Student Teaching

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

Participation/observation field experiences in designated schools are required as follows:

• CT 229 - Development and Learning in Childhood and Adolescence Semester Hours: 3

• 20 clock-hour placement in varied settings, grades PreK-12

• CT 298A - Curriculum and Instruction in Art: Elementary Semester Hours: 3

• 20 clock-hour placement in elementary settings, grades PreK-6

• CT 298B - Curriculum and Instruction in Art: Secondary Semester Hours: 3

• 20 clock-hour placement in secondary settings, grades 10-12

• SED 264 - General Methods of Teaching Semester Hours: 3

• 20 clock-hour placement in high-needs district grades 7-12

• SPED 201 - The Exceptional Child Semester Hours: 3

• 20 clock-hour placement in settings with special needs students, grades 7-12

• SPED 264 - Inclusion in Today’s Schools Semester Hours: 3

• 20 clock-hour placement in settings with special needs students, grades 7-12

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; LYST 202; SED 200, 205, 264; and SPED 201/264.
2. Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall graduate course work.

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.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of General Education requirements for teacher education programs;
2. Completion of fine arts content requirements with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in fine arts course work;
3. Completion of fine arts education requirements with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in graduate studies (38 s.h. with no fewer than 32 s.h. in residence);
4. An electronic portfolio illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments;
5. All course work offered in satisfaction of fine arts education requirements must be 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.