Elementary Special Education, MSEd

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Professor Pace, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-6476

For students with New York state certification in childhood education, early childhood education or literacy, to become teachers of students with disabilities (childhood grades 1-6). The program is designed to develop ethical scholar-practitioners capable of working with diverse populations of learners in a variety of school contexts. This program consists of a sequence of core courses and experiences for teaching students across the full range of disabilities and special health care needs leading to New York state initial/professional certification as a special education teacher at the childhood developmental level. Students also meet the additional requirements in order to receive the New York State Annotation to Teach Students with Severe or Multiple Disabilities.

Admission Requirements

Applications for admission to this Master of Science in Education program in the Department of Specialized Programs in Education are made to the Office of Graduate Admission. Admissions decisions are 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.

Initial or professional New York state teacher certification in childhood education, early childhood education or literacy.
A completed application form to the master’s program.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
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.
Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching of students with disabilities.
A written personal statement of professional intent.
Interview with a faculty member in special education.

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

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 37

Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 28 s.h. of the master of science in education program in residence at Hofstra. No more than 9 s.h. may be transferred into the program. Student teaching may be used to meet the 28 s.h. residency.

A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading to the master of science in education degree may be completed prior to matriculation in the program.

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in order to remain in the program. Courses in which students receive grades below C- confer no credit toward the graduate degree but are included in determining grade point average.

Prerequisite:

SPED 201 - The Exceptional Child Semester Hours: 3 (or equivalent course).

Footnotes

*Fulfills requirements for the annotation for Teaching Students With Severe or Multiple Disabilities.

Field Experience Prior to Student Teaching

Field experiences are integrated extensively into course curricula. A minimum of 100 clock hours of observation is required prior to student teaching. At least one placement will be spent in a site recognized by the New York State Education Department as high-needs. Placements are arranged by the Office of Field Placement.

Participation/observation field experiences which correspond to the developmental level of the certificate holder are required in each of the following courses:

SPED 211 - Knowledge and Strategies for Teaching Students with Cognitive Disabilities, Grades 1-6 Semester Hours: 3
10 hours of participant observation in settings for students with cognitive disabilities.
SPED 241 - Identification and Interventions for Children with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, Grades 1-6 Semester Hours: 3
10 hours of field placement for students with emotional/behavioral disorders.
SPED 242 - Psychoeducational Assessment in Special Education Semester Hours: 3
15 hours of individualized assessment with a student with special learning needs.
SPED 245 - Curriculum and Methods for Students With Diverse Learning Needs Semester Hours: 4
20 hours of individualized instruction with a student with special learning needs.
SPED 248 - Education of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders Semester Hours: 3
20 hours of participant observation at a school and board meeting for children with autism.
SPED 249 - Understanding Physical, Sensory and Health Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
15 hours of site visitation at a center for students with multiple or severe disabilities.

Student Teaching

Students will qualify for admission to Student Teaching, SPED 237A, when they have satisfied the following requirements:

Successful completion of 27 semester hours of core course work
A grade point average of 3.0 or higher in overall graduate course work.

Admission by permission of the graduate program director and application to the Office of Field Placement and the Department of Specialized Programs in Education, due on May 1 for the succeeding spring semester and February 15 for the succeeding fall semester. Application forms are available in Hagedorn Hall, Room 118.

Students registered for SPED 237A will complete a student teaching experience at two developmental levels of their certificate.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of 37 semester hours in prescribed courses with no fewer than 25 s.h. in-residence.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 in overall graduate course work and all special education core courses.
Passing grade on the comprehensive examination.
Completion of all required Educational Law Seminars.
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, 129 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, 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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