Our Early Childhood Special Education programs offers training and certification in Students with Disabilities at the Birth – Grades 2 level, opening the door for teachers to provide Special Education services with this younger population. With the growing emphasis on early screening and options afforded to children and their families prior to stepping into the traditional K-12 setting, the job market is expanding for special educators!
Hofstra University’s School of Education offers its Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education, MSEd to candidates who are seeking their first teacher prep program which will earn both their NYS Initial Early Child Birth-2 and Students with Disabilities Birth-2 certifications. Candidates with no prior background in education who are seeking to work with both Early Childhood and Special Education populations are encouraged to apply.
Learn More about the Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education, MSEd
Hofstra University’s School of Education offers its Early Childhood Special Education, MSEd to candidates who hold their NYS Initial certification in Early Childhood Birth-2 who are seeking their NYS Initial certification in Students with Disabilities Birth-2. Candidates should have a degree in education along with a current NYS teaching certification in Early Childhood to apply.
Learn More About the Early Childhood Special Education, MSEd
Hofstra University’s School of Education offers its Early Childhood Special Education, MSEd to candidates who hold their NYS Initial certification in Early Childhood Birth-2 who are seeking their NYS Initial certification in Students with Disabilities Birth-2 as well as fulfill the education requirement for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Candidates should have their NYS Initial certification in areas including Early Childhood Birth-2 to apply.
Learn More About the Special Education Early Childhood Intervention, MSEd
Hofstra University’s School of Education offers its Early Childhood Special Education, Advanced Certificate to candidates who hold their NYS Initial/Professional certification in Early Childhood Birth-2 who are seeking their NYS certification in Students with Disabilities Birth-2. Candidates should have both an undergraduate and graduate degree in education along with a current NYS teaching certification in Early Childhood to apply.
Learn More about the Early Childhood Special Education, AC
Hofstra University’s School of Education offers its Dual certification Literacy Studies (Birth-Grade 6) and Special Education (Birth-2), MSEd who hold their NYS Initial certification in Early Childhood Birth-2 who are seeking both their NYS Initial certification in Students with Disabilities Birth-2 and Literacy Grades B-6. Candidates should have a degree in education along with a current NYS teaching certification in Early Childhood to apply.
Learn More about the Literacy Studies & Special Education, MSEd
Getting Started
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 criteria listed below 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.
- A completed application form to the master’s program.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, or it’s 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.
- 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.
Applicants to the Early Childhood Special Education, AC should have a master’s degree along with their NYS teacher certification. For candidates to the Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education, MSEd, students will not be required to have a background in education or a NYS certification to apply. All other programs are designed as an extension program offering Students with Disabilities and would require candidates to have their Initial certification.
Student Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
- I do not have a background in education, can I still apply?
- Yes, for those seeking their first NYS certification in both Early Childhood Birth-Grades 2 and Students with Disabilities Birth-Grades 2 should apply to the Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education, MSEd.
- How are courses delivered?
- Coursework is offered in person, hybrid and online.
- Does Hofstra University provide support for field placement?
- Yes, Hofstra University’s School of Education has the Office of Field Placement to provide logistical support in seeking placements for students as needed. Explore the Office of Field Placement in our Student Resources section.
- What is Early Intervention?
- Early Intervention or “EI” is a term used to describe services and supports that are available to Early Childhood populations with developmental delays and disabilities
These students have not yet entered the Pre-K-12 system so EI services can be the best tool in making significant impacts on a child’s ability to learn new skills and overcome challenges all before they enter a classroom setting.
Special Education Research, Policy & Practice
SPECIAL EDUCATION RESEARCH, POLICY & PRACTICE is an online peer-reviewed journal committed to advancing the professional development of special education professionals through research, policy, and practice. This electronic journal seeks new contributions based on original work of practitioners and researchers with specific focus on or implications for the field of special education. Manuscripts submitted will be articles on research, policy, and practice relative to special education. Articles would:
Be research based submissions that address current practice issues in the field of special education.
Seek to make a new contribution to the field of special education.
Be solicited in a variety of categories.
Review our Special Education Peer Reviewed Journal