M.S.Ed. in Elementary Education

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Associate Professor Judith Kaufman, Graduate Program Co-Director, (516) 463-6566, Judith.S.Kaufman@hofstra.edu
Assistant Professor Fusco, Graduate Program Co-Director, (516) 463-7704, Esther.Fusco@hofstra.edu

The master’s program in elementary education is offered by the Department of Curriculum and Teaching. This program leads toward the New York State Initial Certificate to teach Childhood Education (grades 1-6). The program blends oncampus preparation with field experiences in a variety of elementary school settings, including high-needs schools, culminating in full-time student teaching. This program is registered with the New York State Education Department.

Admission Criteria for the Elementary Education Program

Admission to the M.S. in Education program in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching is contingent upon the following:

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a liberal arts and sciences concentration.
A minimum GPA of 2.75 in each of two categories:
1. Overall undergraduate course work
2. Course work in the liberal arts and science
3. Students with a GPA of 2.5-2.75 may be accepted provisionally, subject to special conditions.
General Education Core prerequisites for teacher education programs (see below).
A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and graduate course work.

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 criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience might compensate.

General Education Core

See the General Education Core Requirements within the School of Education and Allied Human.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 39

Elementary Education Major Requirements

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in order to remain 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.

Phase I - Semester Hours: 8

Admission to the Elementary Education Program
SPED 264 - Inclusion in Today’s Schools Credits: 3 s.h.
*See footnote

ELED 211 - Children’s Movement and Rhythmic Activities in the Curriculum Credits: 1 s.h.
ELED 212 - Art in the Curriculum Credits: 1 s.h.
Foundations of Education graduate-level elective selected from the following: 3 s.h.
FDED 200 - Philosophy of Education Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 210 - Contemporary Educational Movements Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 211 - The School and Society Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 230 - History of Education in the United States Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 231 - Childhood and Adolescence in Historical Perspective Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 240 - Urban Education Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 244 - Seminar: Alternative Education Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 248 - Multicultural Education in the Metropolitan Area Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 251 - Theory of Knowledge and Education Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 252 - Ethics for Educators Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 255 - Seminar: Social Foundations of Education Credits: 3 s.h.
or equivalents
(including history and philosophy of education in sociocultural community contexts)
SPED 264 - Inclusion in Today’s Schools Credits: 3 s.h.
(See footnote *)

Phase II - Semester Hours: 22

ELED 202 - Teaching Reading, Writing, and Language Arts: PreK-Grade 3 Credits: 3 s.h.
(See footnote *)
ELED 205 - Language in the Curriculum Credits: 3 s.h.
(See footnote **)
ELED 206 - Social Studies in the Curriculum Credits: 3 s.h.
ELED 209 - Mathematics in the Curriculum Credits: 3 s.h.
(See footnote *)
ELED 210 - Science and Technology in the Curriculum Credits: 3 s.h.
(See footnote *)
ELED 213 - Critical Perspectives in Human Development Credits: 3 s.h.
(See footnote *)
ELED 214 - Critical Connections: Human Development and Schooling Credits: 3 s.h.
(See footnote *)
ELED 258 - Introduction to Information Technology in Education Credits: 1 s.h.

Phase III - Semester Hours: 9

Admission to Student Teaching

ELED 221 - Student Teaching Credits: 6 s.h.
or
ELED 222A - Supervised Teaching Credits: 3 s.h.
and
ELED 222B - Summer Supervised Student Teaching Extension Credits: 3 s.h.
ELED 223 - Classroom Perspectives and Issues: Elementary Education Credits: 3 s.h.

Field Experiences Before Student Teaching

Prospective teachers in the elementary education program complete a minimum of 120 clock hours (15 clock hours in each designated course) as participant observers in designated schools prior to student teaching. Placements are arranged by the Office of Field Placement. At least one placement in grades 1-6 will be spent in a high-need site recognized by the New York State Education Department. Students in SPED 264 will participate on-site with special needs children in grades 1-6. Field experiences before student teaching with children in grades 1-3 and 4-6 are integrated with the following courses:

Grades 1-3

ELED 202 - Teaching Reading, Writing, and Language Arts: PreK-Grade 3 Credits: 3 s.h.
ELED 206 - Social Studies in the Curriculum Credits: 3 s.h.
ELED 213 - Critical Perspectives in Human Development Credits: 3 s.h.
ELED 227 - Elementary School Curriculum Credits: 3 s.h.

Grades 4-6

ELED 205 - Language in the Curriculum Credits: 3 s.h.
ELED 209 - Mathematics in the Curriculum Credits: 3 s.h.
ELED 210 - Science and Technology in the Curriculum Credits: 3 s.h.

Grades 1-6

ELED 214 - Critical Connections: Human Development and Schooling Credits: 3 s.h.
15 hours in a high-need district
SPED 264 - Inclusion in Today’s Schools Credits: 3 s.h.
15 hrs. in settings with special needs children

Student Teaching Prerequisites

Program Phase 2 and General Education core must be completed prior to student teaching.
Application forms for student teaching are available in the Office of Field Placement and are accepted by October 1 or March 1 for the succeeding semester.
Students must have a cumulative minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in graduate course work.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of all requirements for the Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education with an overall GPA of 3.0.
Completion of the 39 s.h. course requirements in the M.S. in Elementary Education program.
A comprehensive portfolio, illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.
A passing score on the departmental comprehensive examination or departmentally authorized equivalent (no degree credit).
The completion of the master’s degree within a 5-year period.

Teacher Certification Requirements

See Teacher Certification Requirements within the School of Education and Allied Human Services.

Footnotes

*Fifteen clock hours of field work required in each designated course.

**ELED 275 may be taken in substitution for ELED 205.

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