Nov 12, 2024  
2018-2019 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2018-2019 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Social Studies Education, MA


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Professor Singer, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-5853

This program leads to professional certification for teachers who possess initial certification in adolescent education, valid for teaching social studies in grades 7-12. It provides advanced study in the curriculum, pedagogy, and content of social studies. Individuals may also select concentrated studies in middle level 5-6, gifted education or bilingual education certification extensions. The program conforms with the recommendation for teacher preparation by the National Council for Social Studies and with the New York State Learning Standards in Social Studies.

Admission Requirements


Applications for admission to this Master of Arts program in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Technology  are made to the Graduate Admission Office. Admission is based 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. A completed application form to the master’s program.
  2. New York state initial certification for teaching social studies 7-12. Applicants who have provisional certification should contact the Department of Teaching, Learning and Technology  for the correct program.
  3. 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.
  4. A minimum GPA of 2.75 on course work in the content area in which certification is being sought.
  5. 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.
  6. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
  7. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate course work.

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

Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 24 s.h. of the Master of Arts program in-residence at Hofstra. No more than 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading toward the Master of Arts degree may be completed prior to matriculation in the program.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 33



Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 while 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.

The major in Social Studies Education consists of a minimum of 33 semester hours of course work, including each of the following:

Introductory Courses - Semester Hours: 6-12


Choose two to four courses (or alternative courses with advisement):

Content/Pedagogy Linkage - Semester Hours: 12


Choose From - Semester Hours: 9


Choose three courses (or alternative courses with advisement) from:

Cognate Area - Semester Hours: 9-15


Select one concentration area from the following categories:

A. History and the Social Sciences - Semester Hours: 9-15


Choose (with advisement) from:

E. Interdisciplinary Studies - Semester Hours: 9-15


This cognate requires at least one course in each of the following subject areas:
•    Foundations of Education
•    Literacy Studies
•    Special Education
Content Area Liberal Arts or Sciences course relating to the appropriate content area can be substituted under advisement.  

F. Gifted Education - Semester Hours: 12


Completion of this cognate leads to a Certification Extension in Gifted Education.
Complete each of the following:

G. Bilingual Education - Semester Hours: 15


Completion of this cognate leads to a Certification Extension in Bilingual Education.

Choose one course from the following: Semester Hours: 3

Choose one course from the following: Semester Hours: 3

Complete each of the following:

Electives - Semester Hours: 0-6


(With advisement) Graduate course work in history or the social sciences, CT, ELED, FDED, LYST, MHAE, RES, SED, or SPED recommended.

Students seeking a Certification Extension in Middle Level Education (grades 5-6) should choose the following electives:

Capstone Activity - Semester Hours: 3


Footnote*


*A minimum of 50 clock hours of college-supervised field experience is required in this cognate area. Students are placed in the settings specific to the foci of their base teaching certificates. All field experiences are incorporated into the course curricula. Placements are arranged by the Office of Field Placement. Department policy is to place students in districts other than those in which they currently reside or in schools that they attended.

Graduation Requirements


  1. Completion of the 33 s.h. course requirement in the MA program with no fewer than 24 s.h. in-residence.
  2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in overall graduate course work.
  3. Satisfactory completion of a departmental-approved curriculum project.
  4. Completion of all required Educational Law Seminars.
  5. 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, 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.

To be eligible for the certification extension in gifted education or bilingual education students are required to have passing scores on the appropriate New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE). Please contact the Office of Educational Support Services for specific certification requirements.

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