About the Program

The Master of Arts in Technology for Learning is intended for individuals with diverse professional goals and interests who are aspiring to become leaders in educational technology and want to gain in-depth understanding of the field. Many of the educational technology courses are offered online, providing students with a blended learning experience — a mixture of online and face-to-face classroom learning. The program provides advanced studies in the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of educational technologies. The program is based on the foundation of research and practice concerned with the development and use of educational technology for meaningful learning. Consistent with this mission, special emphasis is placed on designing innovative ways of using technology to help students relate new experiences and ideas to what they already know.

The mission of the program is to:

• Prepare students to use technology to transform teaching, learning and the curriculum.
• Help students develop the expertise needed to identify, analyze, and solve learning problems with the use of educational technology in a variety of settings.
• Help students develop the expertise to design educational technology tools that can be implemented in a classroom environment.
• Help students gain hands-on experience with emerging technologies in state-of-the-art facilities.

The program is designed for students seeking professional certification who would like to “specialize” in educational technology. The degree offers 12 to 15 credits of content-pedagogy linkage for those holding initial certification in initial certification in one of the following certification areas: early childhood; childhood; adolescence education titles of English, mathematics, social studies, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, Spanish, French, German, and Russian; and special subject education titles of music and visual arts. Additionally, each student must complete an electronic portfolio illustrating their course work and professional accomplishments.

The Master of Arts in Technology for Learning conforms to the recommendation for teacher preparation by the International Society for Technology in Education and the National Educational Technology Standards.

Admission Requirements

Applications for admission to this Master of Arts program in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Technology  are made to the Office of Graduate Admission. A committee of full-time members of the program bases its decision to accept or reject a candidate on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria. 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 GPA or testing criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience might compensate. All individual cases will be reviewed by an Admissions Counselor before being referred to the graduate program for further review.

1. BA or BS degree.
2. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate course work, or its equivalent (e.g., a 3.0 in a completed graduate program). We encourage you to submit all transcripts from your undergraduate work and any graduate work for consideration.
3. Submission of scores on a nationally-normed graduate admission test (GRE or Praxis). Recent SAT/ACT exams may be accepted if verifiable by the test provider.
4. A recent writing sample.
5. Statement of purpose for pursuing technology for learning studies.
6. Interview with a faculty member in the technology for learning program.
7. Valid New York state initial certification in one of the following certification areas: early childhood, childhood, adolescence 7-12, or special subjects (fine arts, music).

*Certified teachers who hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university are exempt from standardized testing.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 33-36

Portfolio

In order to complete the Technology for Learning program, each student must develop an electronic portfolio illustrating the student’s educational technology course work and professional accomplishments. Students are required to submit and present the portfolio at the Educational Technology Showcase held at Hofstra University annually.

Graduation Requirements

• Satisfaction of all outstanding course requirements according to the student’s individual program of study (33-36 s.h.).
• Completion of all course work with an overall GPA of 3.0.
• Satisfactory completion of a department approved curriculum project, to be completed in CT 212 .
• Electronic Portfolio (see above).
• Completion of all required Educational Law Seminars.
• All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must be 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, 233 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 December 31, 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.