Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) Special Education program in the Department of Special Education  must possess initial or professional New York state teacher certification in: childhood, middle childhood or adolescent education, or literacy. 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 grade point average of 3.0. 
3. Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching of students with disabilities.
4. A written personal statement of professional intent.
5. Interview with a faculty member in special education.

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

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 34 to 37

Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 25 to 28 s.h. of the master of science in education program in residence at Hofstra. No more than 9 s.h. may be transferred into the program. Student teaching may be used to meet the 25 to 28 s.h. residency.

A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading to the master of science in education degree may be completed prior to matriculation in the program.

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in order to remain in the program. Courses in which students receive grades below C- confer no credit toward the graduate degree but are included in determining grade point average.

Footnotes

Field Experience Prior to Student Teaching

Field experiences are integrated extensively into course curricula. A minimum of 100 clock hours of observation is required prior to student teaching. At least one placement (SPED 201) 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.

Participation/observation field experiences which correspond to the developmental level of the certificate holder are required in each of the following courses:

• SPED 201 - The Exceptional Child Semester Hours: 3

• 20 hours of site visitation including a high-needs district.

• SPED 211 - Knowledge and Strategies for Teaching Students With Cognitive Disabilities Semester Hours: 3

• 10 hours of participant observation in settings for students with cognitive disabilities.

• SPED 241 - Identification and Interventions for Children and Adolescents With Emotional/Behavioral Disorders Semester Hours: 3

• 10 hours of field placement for students with emotional/behavioral disorders.

• SPED 242 - Psychoeducational Assessment in Special Education Semester Hours: 3

• 15 hours of individualized assessment with a student with special learning needs.

• SPED 245 - Curriculum and Methods for Students With Diverse Learning Needs Semester Hours: 4

• 20 hours of individualized instruction with a student with special learning needs.

• SPED 248 - Education of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders Semester Hours: 3

• 15 hours of participant observation at a school and board meeting for children with autism.

• SPED 249 - Understanding Physical, Sensory and Health Disabilities Semester Hours: 3

• 15 hours of site visitation at a center for students with multiple or severe disabilities.

Student Teaching

Students will qualify for admission to Student Teaching, SPED 237, when they have satisfied the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of 27 semester hours of core course work
2. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall graduate course work.

Admission by permission of the graduate program director and application to the Office of Field Placement and the Department of Special Education , due on May 1 for the succeeding spring semester and February 15 for the succeeding fall semester. Application forms are available in Hagedorn Hall, Room 118.

Students registered for SPED 237 will complete two student teaching experiences at the developmental levels of their certificate.

Students registered for SPED 237A will complete a student teaching experience at two developmental levels of their certificate.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of a minimum of 34 semester hours in prescribed courses with no fewer than 25 s.h. in residence.
2. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in overall graduate course work and all special education core courses.
3. Passing grade on the comprehensive examination.
4. All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

Teacher Certification Requirements

Upon successful completion of degree requirements, students will be eligible to apply for the University’s recommendation for New York state certification. Contact the Office of Educational Support Services, 129 Hagedorn Hall, for information regarding any required Educational Law seminars* and other certification requirements. Forms for applying for certification can be found at the Office of Educational Support Services Web page under the certification tab.

*Please note, as of July 1, 2013, the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education now require a new six-hour seminar for Training in Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention, required under the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA): http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/news/newsitem05162013.html.