Special Education, M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood

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Stephen J. Hernandez, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-5759

For students with New York State Certification in Early Childhood Education (birth-grade 2), or Childhood Education (grades 1-6) to become teachers of young children (birth-grade 2) with disabilities: 33-36 s.h. program.

This program consists of core courses in early childhood special education including a student teaching experience, with related courses in early childhood curriculum and instruction. The Early Childhood Special Education program at Hofstra provides students with the knowledge, skills and values needed to work effectively as early interventionists with children, birth through age three and their families, and to serve as early childhood special educators with children at the preschool through second grade level. Early childhood special education programs build upon general education and all students must have prerequisite preparation in early childhood and/or childhood education.

This program reflects a field-integrated approach which consists of a minimum of 100 clock hours of field work prior to student teaching. Field experiences are linked to each of the courses that comprise the professional core and include participant observation and field-related projects at the early childhood developmental level (birth through second grade) across a variety of school settings including high-needs school districts. Students attend parent and professional meetings, as well as work individually with students with disabilities.

Upon completion of this program candidates will qualify for initial certification for teaching students with disabilities in early childhood as well as the annotation for teaching students with severe or multiple disabilities in early childhood. This program leads to New York State Initial/Professional Certification in Special Education at the Early Childhood level.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Special Education Program is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria including the following:

Initial or professional New York State Teacher Certification in: Early Childhood or Childhood Education.
A completed application form.
A minimum GPA of 3.0.
Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching of students with disabilities.
A written personal statement of professional intent.
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 - Semester Hours: 33 to 36

Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 27 s.h. of the M.S. in Education program in residence at Hofstra. No more than 6 s.h. may be transferred into the program. Student Teaching may be used to meet the 27 s.h. residency.

A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading to the M.S. 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.

For Students With Childhood Certification - Semester Hours: 6

ELED 216 - Early Childhood Curriculum Semester Hours: 3
ELED 217 - Developing and Evaluating Innovations in Early Childhood Curriculum Semester Hours: 3

For Students With Early Childhood Certification - Semester Hours: 6

SPED 248 - Education of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders Semester Hours: 3
SPED 277 - Technology and Assistive Technology in Special Education Semester Hours: 3

For All Students - Semester Hours: 27

Footnote

*Fulfills requirements for the annotation for Teaching Students With Severe or Multiple Disabilities.

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 207) 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 and the Special Education Program Director.

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

ELED 216 - Early Childhood Curriculum Semester Hours: 3
15 clock hours of participant observation in PreK-K setting
ELED 217 - Developing and Evaluating Innovations in Early Childhood Curriculum Semester Hours: 3
15 clock hours of participant observation in Grades 1 and 2
SPED 207 - Introduction to Young Children With Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
15 clock hours of site visitation including a high-needs district
SPED 208 - Educational Intervention for Young Children With Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
15 clock hours to implement a cognitive curriculum for young children with disabilities
SPED 209 - Early Intervention: Infant Stimulation Semester Hours: 3
10 clock hours to implement HELP curriculum for infants and toddlers with disabilities
SPED 210 - The Creative Arts in Special Education Semester Hours: 3
15-20 clock hours to implement Start With Art curriculum for young children
SPED 226 - Early Intervention and Related Services in Early Childhood Special Education Semester Hours: 3
10 clock hours to observe PT/OT/speech pathology intervention for young children
SPED 248 - Education of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders Semester Hours: 3
15 clock hours in a setting for students with autism spectrum disorders
SPED 277 - Technology and Assistive Technology in Special Education Semester Hours: 3
15 clock hours in a local facility where assistive technology is prominently used by students with disabilities

Student Teaching

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

Successful completion of 27 s.h. of core course work
A grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall graduate course work.
All course work taken within a five-year period.

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 early childhood developmental level across the full-range of disabilities. Students registered for SPED 237A will complete a student teaching placement at two early childhood developmental levels.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of a minimum 33-36 semester hours in prescribed courses with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in all special education core courses.
A minimum of 27-30 s.h. in residence.
Passing grade on the comprehensive examination.
All course work taken 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.

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