Graduate Admission
Develop the skills and competencies you need to educate exceptional children and adolescents through graduate studies in Special Education at Hofstra University. Prepare to teach in one of three development levels of special education: early childhood (birth - grade 2), elementary (grades 1-6), and secondary special education (grades 7-12) or seek out specialties in behavior analysis and more through our many certificate level programs. Gain hands-on experience through fieldwork and student teaching in a variety of school settings, including high-needs school districts. Deepen your education through professional and student organizations, such as the International Association of Special Education and Special Education Graduate Association. Our programs are accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
Select from any of the programs below to learn more. If you have questions please contact our graduate admission team at 516-463-4723 or graduateadmission@hofstra.edu
Learn from mentoring faculty who have years of experience working in the special education field. Small class sizes create a collaborative community for learning.
Gain insight and implement your graduate studies through a minimum of 100 hours of fieldwork prior to student teaching. Your field experience includes observation and field-related projects across a variety of school settings, including high-need school districts.
The Hofstra School of Education graduate education and online graduate education programs are ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Visit the Hofstra campus or connect with the graduate admission team. We will answer your questions and put you in touch with program faculty or degree candidates to learn more. Contact us at graduateadmission@hofstra.edu, or call 516-463-4723.
To be considered for the Special Education programs, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Advanced programs may require a master’s degree/additional experience. Click the links below to learn more.
Start your application online where you can upload the following documents:
An interview with a faculty member is required.
If you are a current Hofstra student interested in pursuing undergraduate/graduate dual-degree enrollment, please contact your academic advisor. Direct any additional questions to graduateadmission@hofstra.edu.
International students: Please review additional admission requirements.
The Special Education programs are between 13 - 49 credits.
Visit the program pages to learn more (see accordions on this page).
Dr. Mary E. McDonald is an expert in autism and applied behavior analysis. Dr. McDonald is a Professor in the Special Education Department at Hofstra University. She directs the Applied Behavior Analysis including the Master of Science and Advanced Certificate. Dr. McDonald serves as the Associate Executive Director of Long Island Programs for Eden II/Genesis Programs. She has over 30 years’ experience directing programs for students with autism from early intervention through adulthood. She completed her Ph.D. in Learning Theory at the CUNY Graduate Center and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral Level and a licensed behavior analyst in NY and Connecticut. Dr. McDonald serves on a number of advisory boards and journal editorial boards.
Field of Study: Ph.D. in Learning Processes
Research Interests: Using video modeling to teach students with autism, increasing creative responding in students with autism
Dr. Stephen Hernandez, Associate Professor and the Director of Early Childhood Special Education, and Elementary Special Education holds an EdD from Hofstra. He has been a faculty member at Hofstra since 2004 and served as an adjunct professor at other area colleges, teaching courses in special education, disabilities, child development, psychology, and non-profit management. In addition to Dr. Hernandez's work in academia, he has worked for over thirty years serving individuals with special needs.
Professor Gloria Lodato Wilson is the Director of the Graduate Programs in Secondary Special Education at Hofstra University, NY. She received a Ph.D. in Applied Psychology at New York University (1993), MS Ed in Special Education at Hofstra University (1977), and BA in Speech Therapy (Hofstra University, 1973)