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.

1. New York state teaching certification in an area other than TESOL.
2. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
3. An minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate course work.
4. 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.
5. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in the program.
6. Interview with a program director.
7. A written personal statement of professional intent or rationale.
8. Twelve (12) s.h. of foreign language study or demonstrated proficiency in a second language.

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

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 35

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. Students may repeat courses to meet grade point average requirements, but the semester hours for a course are only awarded once, and both grades are factored into the overall grade point average.

Field Experiences Prior to Student Teaching

A minimum of 50 clock-hours of participation/observation is required prior to practicum. At least one field placement must be in a district identified as high-needs by New York State Education Department. All field experiences are incorporated into the course curricula. Placements are arranged by the Office of Field Placement. Department policy is to place prospective teachers in districts other than those in which they reside or in schools that they attended.

Participation/observation field experiences in designated schools are required in each of the following courses:

• ELED 225 - Teaching English as a Second Language in the Elementary Classroom Semester Hours: 3

• [25 hours in settings with English Language Learners with special-needs (grades K-6)]

• SED 267 - Teaching English to Adolescent Speakers of Other Languages Semester Hours: 3

• [25 hours in settings with English Language Learners in high-needs schools (grades 7-12)]

Practicum

The practicum (CT 268 ) involves 20 days of college-supervised teaching practiced by teacher candidates in the elementary and secondary level ESL classrooms. Students will qualify for admission to practicum after they have satisfied the following requirements:

• Successful completion of ELED 225  and SED 267 . 
• A grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall course work.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of all 35 s.h. course requirements for the Master of Arts TESOL/STEM with an overall GPA of 3.0.
2. Completion of the 35 s.h. course requirements in the Master of Arts TESOL/STEM with no fewer than 32 s.h. at Hofstra.
3. Successful completion of the capstone project.
4. Completion of all 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).

Hofstra University offers the above listed educational law seminars through the Office of Educational Support Services. All of these seminars must be completed before the conferral of the degree and recommendation for certification.