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:

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.