School of Human Services Mission Statement

In accord with the mission of Springfield College, the mission of the School of Human Services is to provide broadly accessible higher education in human services for adult learners that embodies the principles of Humanics, community partnership, and academic excellence to achieve social and economic justice.

Our goals and objectives are:

To provide an educational experience that…

• emphasizes social analysis, critical thinking, communications skills and leadership for social and economic change;
• responds to student, workplace and community needs;
• incorporates the knowledge adult learners bring to the classroom through collaborative learning and critical reflection.

To recruit, enroll and graduate highly motivated students who are committed to the distinctive philosophy of the college and the school, and who…

• are economically and culturally diverse and have been historically denied access to higher education;
• reflect regional demographics;
• can and will engage in an education to help achieve economic and social justice.

To create and maintain mutually beneficial alliances with communities and organizations that…

• provide an environment where the human services community gathers to reflect and share knowledge and experience;
• offer resources and information to build and sustain organizations designed to serve community human service needs;
• provide meaningful fieldwork opportunities for students and faculty.

To help society achieve social and economic justice by generating new knowledge about…

• human services;
• adult teaching and learning;
• development and change in local, national and global communities.

To establish and maintain working and learning environments that…

• attract, develop, support and retain competent faculty, administrators and staff who are committed to the school’s mission;
• provide clean and attractive facilities as well as systems and equipment necessary to support the programs of the school;
• foster meeting the objectives of the school through teamwork;
• clearly define roles, responsibilities and authority;
• encourage open, clear, comprehensive and timely communication;
• acknowledge talent and creativity among faculty, administrators, staff and students.

Accreditation

Springfield College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the New England Association indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purpose through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.

Accreditation by the New England Association is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.

Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the New England Association should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, 209 Burlington Road, Bedford, MA 01739-1433, Tel: 781-271-0022, E-Mail: cihe@neasc.org.

Springfield College is approved to offer its School of Human Services programs in the following states:

California, Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, 400 R Street, Suite 5000, Sacramento, CA 95814-6200. Tel: 916-445-3427

Delaware, Department of Education, The Townsend Building, P.O.Box 1402, Dover, DE 19903-1402. Tel: 302-739-4601

Florida, Department of Education, Commission for Independent Education, 325 W. Gaines St., Suite 1414, Tallahassee FL 32399-0400. Tel: 850-245-3200; 1-888-224-6684

Massachusetts, The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, One Ashburton Place, Room 1401, Boston, MA 02108-1696. Tel: 617-727-7785

New Hampshire, Postsecondary Education Commission, 3 Barrell Court, Suite 300, Concord, NH 03301-8543. Tel: 603-271-2555

South Carolina, South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, 1333 Main Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC 29201. Tel: 803-737-2260. Students who have complaints that cannot be resolved at the school level may contact the Non-public Insitution Licensing of the Commission. All complaints must be submitted in writing on forms available at the school

Vermont, The Vermont State Board of Education, Vermont Department of Education, 120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05620-2501. Tel: 802-828-5139

Wisconsin, Educational Approval Board, P.O.Box 8696, Madison, WI 53708-8696. Tel: 608-266-1996.

Licensure indicates that minimum standards have been met; it is not an endorsement or guarantee of quality.

The undergraduate program of the School of Human Services of Springfield College is professionally accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE). CSHSE, the only national organization accrediting human service education programs in the United States, establishes standards for educational programs and provides services for human services educators and professionals.

Disclosure Statement

The Springfield College School of Human Services Catalog contains current information regarding programs, curricula, requirements, faculty and admissions, and such information is not intended to be and should not be relied upon as a statement of the College’s contractual undertakings. For additional information, one can refer to the handbooks for specific programs and components of programs.

In accordance with the Student-Right-to-Know Act (Title I of Public Law 101-542), the graduation rates of degree-seeking, full-time students are available to all current or prospective students from the Office of the Registrar and will be provided upon request.

Springfield College reserves the right in its sole judgment to change rules and regulations and to make changes of any nature in its program, calendar, admissions policies, procedures and standards, degree requirements, fees and academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including, without limitation, changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes, canceling of scheduled classes, and other academic activities requiring or affording alternatives for scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances. Springfield College prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, or non-disqualifying disability. This applies to our educational, admissions and employment policies, treatment of students, and other College-administered programs and activities.

Affirmative action at Springfield College refers to objective, measurable steps taken to ensure equal opportunity. Any positive, aggressive measures taken to assure equal access to opportunity and aimed at eliminating discrimination or which are intended to remedy past effects of discrimination are affirmative action.

Any students who are unable, because of religious beliefs, to attend or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirements on a particular day shall be excused from any such examinations, or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study or work requirement which they have missed because of such absence on any particular day; provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon Springfield College. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the College for making available to any student such opportunity. No adverse prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of their availing themselves of the provisions of this section.

If you have any questions about the school’s admissions policy, or simply require additional information, please call the School of Human Services at the campus nearest you.