Advanced Certificate in Special Education

The advanced certificate in special education is an 18 to 21 s.h. program designed for individuals who hold initialprofessional New York state certification as childhood or adolescent education classroom teachers, and who would like a concentrated study for continued professional development.The mission of Hofstra University’s special education programs is to prepare professionals in the education of exceptional children and youth. These individuals will be scholarly in their academic pursuits and dedicated to reflective, participatory, and collaborative processes within a variety of settings and service delivery models. The advanced certificate program in special education provides in-service and pre-service teachers with the skills and competencies necessary for effective instruction of students across the full range of disabilities. The assessment techniques and strategies used in the identification of exceptional learners, research-based methodologies and instruction, including collaborative consultation models and universal design for learning are major foci of the program.

Applicants for admission to the Advanced Certificate Program in Special Education in the Department of Special Education must possess New York state classroom teaching certification at the childhood, middle childhood, or adolescent developmental level.A completed application form to the advanced certificate program;A minimum grade point average of 3.0;Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching of students with special needs;A written personal statement of professional intent; andInterview with a faculty member in special educationThe Department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate’s potential for success in a graduate program. Consequently, candidates are welcome to apply if they do not meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience may compensate.TOEFL - 80IELTS - 6.5