Mar 28, 2024  
2013-2014 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2013-2014 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Literacy Studies (Birth-Grade 6) and Special Education (Birth-Grade 2) or (Grades 1-6), M.S.Ed.


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Associate Professor Lodato Wilson, Graduate Program Co-Director, 516-463-5788
Associate Professor García, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-5279


Option I. LITERACY STUDIES (Birth-Grade 6) and SPECIAL  
                 EDUCATION (Birth- Grade 2) 

Option II. LITERACY STUDIES (Birth-Grade 6) and SPECIAL
                   EDUCATION (Grades 1-6)

These dual programs prepare students to meet the educational requirements for certification, literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and students with disabilities (Birth-Grade 2) or (Grades1-6). The degree provides students with the opportunity to participate in classes that focus on the most current understandings of literacy and special education pedagogical practices. A universal theme woven into the fabric of all programs in special education is an appreciation of diversity and the understanding that the goal of education is to teach every child so that all children can learn. Graduates of this program will be recommended for the following teaching certificates: Classroom teachers with preparation in literacy (Birth to Grade 6) and students with disabilities (Birth-Grade 2) or (Grades 1-6). Graduates will be prepared for the following teaching positions:

  1. Literacy specialists with additional preparation in one-on-one and small group instruction with students with disabilities (Birth-Grade 2) or (Grades 1-6).
  2. Literacy specialists prepared to work collaboratively with classroom teachers in designing and implementing effective literacy instruction in inclusive environments. (Birth-Grade 2) or (Grades 1-6).
  3. Teachers of students with disabilities (Birth-Grade 2) or (Grades 1-6) with additional preparation in literacy instruction (Birth-Grade 6).

Admission Requirements


  1. B.A. or B.S. degree, with minimum G.P.A. of 3.0.
  2. Two letters of recommendation.
  3. Possession of a New York state initial or provisional teaching certificate in early childhood or childhood education (See Note (c) below).
  4. Interview with faculty members in literacy studies and special education.
  5. A written statement of purpose is required for special education.
    Note:
    (a) Graduate students who enter a program of study on a non-matriculated basis are limited to a maximum of 12 semester hours of course work.
    (b) A maximum of 6 semester hours of advanced standing may be accepted for relevant graduate course work taken elsewhere.
    (c) Students who have initial/provisional certification in an area of study other than those listed above in #3 should speak to the department adviser.

Program Requirements


Option I


Literacy Studies (Birth-Grade 6) and Special Education (Birth-Grade 2)

Students take 47 to 50 s.h. for the dual certification in Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and Students With Disabilities (Birth-Grade 2): 26 s.h. in Literacy Studies and 21 to 24 s.h. in Special Education.  Phase I courses must be completed before entering Phase II. LYST 240 and 241 are prerequisites for LYST 242. LYST 300 must be taken as part of the first 12 s.h. of study. LYST 301 must be taken during the last spring or fall semester of study. It is recommended that students take courses in Literacy Studies and Special Education concurrently as listed in the table below:

Option II


Literacy Studies (Birth-Grade 6) and Special Education (Grades 1-6)

Students take 51 to 54 s.h. for the dual certification in Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6): 26 s.h. in Literacy Studies and 25 to 28 s.h. in Special Education. Phase I courses must be completed before entering Phase II. LYST 300 and SPED 277 must be taken as part of the first 12.s.h. of study. LYST 301 must be taken as part of the final spring or fall semester of study. Students must take SPED 201 or its equivalent as a corequisite to beginning this program. It is recommended that students take courses in Literacy Studies and Special Education concurrently as listed in the table below:

Prerequisite


Graduation Requirements



  1. Completion of a minimum of 26 semester hours in prescribed Literacy Studies courses and a minimum of 25 to 28 semester hours in Special Education with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all courses.
  2. Completion of a minimum of 50 hours of field experiences in Literacy Studies within school, family, or community settings, including at least 30 practicum hours completed at the Saltzman Reading/Writing/Learning Clinic and supervised student teaching in Special Education under advisement of the Director of Special Education.
  3. Successful presentation of a learning portfolio to faculty and peers in Literacy Studies and successful completion of a comprehensive examination in Special Education.
  4. Completion of all program prerequisites.

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.

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