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Accreditation Statement
Springfield College is recognized as an institution of higher learning of collegiate rank by the Board of Collegiate Authority of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Membership in this association, one of six accrediting associations in the United States, indicates that the college has been carefully evaluated and found to meet standards agreed upon by qualified educators.
The College supports the efforts of secondary school officials and governing bodies to have their schools achieve regional accredited status, which provides reliable assurance of the quality of the educational preparation of its applicants for admission.
Springfield College undergoes continuous self-evaluation. Academic programs are reviewed based upon internal academic program review and also are reviewed on an ongoing basis, via external program review and professional accreditation.
Policy Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities
Springfield College is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity and full participation in College programs and activities for persons with disabilities, in accordance with state and federal laws. The College fully supports the anti-discrimination policies expressed in state and federal legislation for persons with disabilities. It is the College’s intent that no person be subjected to discrimination with regard to any College program or activity.
Springfield College recognizes the unique needs of students with disabilities and encourages these students to use the support services offered by the College to assist them in attaining their educational goals. The policy of Springfield College regarding admission and access to programs and activities prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Students with documented disabilities are invited to contact the Academic Success Center, located in the Harold C. Smith Learning Commons, third floor, at (413) 748-3389.
The Coordinator of Section 50 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is Mary Simeoli, Title IX Coordinator & Access Officer, Harold C. Smith Learning Commons, room 300, Telephone: 413-748-3248, Email: msimeoli@springfield.edu.
Absence of Student due to religious beliefs
Any student in an educational or vocational training institution, other than a religious or denominational educational or vocational training institution, who is unable, because of her/his religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work requirement which she/he may 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 such school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his availing himself of the provisions of this section.
Nondiscrimination Statement
Springfield College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis in the admission and access to, and employment and treatment in, its programs and activities. Inquiries regarding the application of this notice of nondiscrimination and Springfield College’s nondiscrimination policies may be referred to the following:
- Rosanne Captain, Assistant VP for Finance and Administration, Administration Building, 263 Alden St., Springfield, MA 01109-3797, Telephone; 413-748-3118, e-mail; or rcaptain@Springfieldcollege.edu;
- Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, Telephone: 1-800-421-3481; or
- Boston office, Office for Civil Rights, US Department of Education, 8th floor, 5 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109-3921, Telephone: 617-289-0111.
Drug-Free Policy
Springfield College complies with all federal and state requirements for a drug-free campus and workplace.
Student-Right-To-Know Disclosure Statement
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with the Student-Right-to-Know Act (Title 1 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 Institutional Research and will be provided upon request.
Guarantee of Employment
Although Springfield College does not guarantee employment following the completion of a degree bearing program, the Springfield College Career Center provides services and resources to assist current students and graduates with reaching their professional goals. The Career Center works with students in identifying career options, exploring career-related engaged learning opportunities, enhancing job searching skills, preparing for admission into graduate/professional schools, recognizing employment opportunities, and networking with Springfield College alumni. Services are available both in-person or via telephone appointment. Note: student referrals to prospective employers are not based on direct contact with the employer regarding current job openings.
Retention of Student Records
Springfield College retains selected student records, including the academic transcript containing course and grade information, credits awarded, academic review notations, grade point average, degree conferral and honors information permanently. Supporting information such as academic action notifications, change of grade, change of major, degree applications, course substitutions and waivers, and miscellaneous correspondence is retained for a period of seven (7) years after a student’s separation from the College. A student’s academic record, in the form of an electronic transcript, is maintained permanently by the Office of the Registrar.
Class Attendance
Students may be subject to a failing grade in a course due to a failure to attend class in accordance with requirements in the course syllabi. In addition, students may also have their course grade affected due to being tardy for a scheduled class meeting(s). Additional information pertaining to the impact of poor attendance or tardiness may be found in the course syllabus. Failing or below average grades in a semester may subsequently result in a negative academic action. The make up of course work that is not submitted in accordance with course requirements as outlined in the course syllabus is determined by the individual course instructor.
Course-level Attendance and Participation Expectations for Online/Regional Courses
The Springfield College New Class Attendance Policy applies to all courses at the College. This is inclusive across all modes of study and locations. As part of this policy, each faculty member is expected to set Course-Level Attendance Expectations, which address issues of participation/engagement, make-up policies, and timeliness. The course-level expectations are set by the faculty and expand upon the College-wide policies for a particular course. This means that each course will have slightly different policies and expectations, so it is important that all students review the expectations in each course. The faculty teaching online and blended courses are to post these policies in Brightspace and carefully review the details of these policies with the students at the start of the semester.
Important points for all students:
- Students are expected to be engaged in all of their courses each week and to start engaging in online learning activities right when the semester begins (i.e., before any physical class meetings may take place). Faculty will be recording attendance at class sessions and/or engagement in online activities at the end of each week. Students will be marked at Attended; Not Attended; or Not Regularly Attending.
- Financial aid will only be disbursed after a student has shown initial engagement in the course (e.g., uploading an assignment, making a discussion post, or physically attending a class session).
- Students who are not regularly attending classes or engaging in online activities will receive a reach-out from their Instructor and/or Advisor.
- If you are even considering withdrawing from a course, please consult with your Advisor or Academic Success Coach immediately and reach out to the Financial Aid Office as there could be serious financial implications for the withdrawal.
Documents that must be posted to the Brightspace classroom in the ANNOUNCEMENTS:
a. New Class Attendance Policy (College-wide Policy)
b. Course-Level Expectations (each instructor customizes and posts in Brightspace)
Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report
Springfield College (“College”) is committed to assisting all members of the College community and providing for their own safety and security. As required by federal law, each year the College prepares an Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report (“Report”). The Report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety, including such topics as crime prevention, fire safety, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures and other matters of importance related to security and safety on campus. It also contains information about crime statistics for the three previous calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the College, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the College’s campus, as well as fire statistics for the three previous calendar years concerning reported fires that occurred in College residence halls. You may obtain a copy of the report by contacting the Department of Public Safety or by accessing the following website:
http://springfieldcollege.edu/department-of-public-safety/general-information/annual-campus-security-report%20
Accreditation Licensing
Springfield College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) should be directed to the College or individuals may also contact the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), 209 Burlington Road, Bedford, MA 01739-1433, Tel: 781-425-7785, E-Mail: cihe@neasc.org.
Springfield College is approved to offer its Regional and On-Line programs in the following states:
Delaware, Department of Education, The Townsend Building, P.O. Box 1402, Dover, DE 19903-1402. Tel: 302-739-4601. www.doe.k12.de.us/
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. www.fldoe.org
- Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education. Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400, toll-free telephone number (888)224-6684.
- Grievance policy: Students who have unresolved conflict with the School should contact the Commission for Independent Education, 325 W. Gaines St., Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400. Tel: 850-245-3200; 1-888-224-6684.
- Legal control: The College is a Massachusetts not for profit corporation organized in 1891 and registered in Florida as Springfield College, Inc., a not for profit corporation and doing business in Florida under the name of Springfield College.
Massachusetts, The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, One Ashburton Place, Room 1401, Boston, MA 02108-1696.
Tel: 617-727-7785. www.mass.edu
Texas, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, TX 78711-2788. Tel: 512-427-6101. www.thecb.state.tx.us
Vermont, Vermont Department of Education, 120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05620-2501. Tel: 802-828-5139. www.education.vermont.gov
Wisconsin, Educational Approval Program - Department of Safety and Professional Services, 1400 East Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703 Phone: (608) 266-1996 Fax: (608) 264-8477 email: DSPSEAP@wisconsin.gov
Need to mail the EAP? Please send your mail to Department of Safety and Professional Services
Attn: Educational Approval Program
P.O. Box 8366
Madison, WI 53708-8366
Student Affairs Policies
Further information on College resources and student affairs policies and procedures can be found in the Student Handbook, available in the Office of the Dean of Students.
This catalog has been prepared for the benefit of students, faculty, administrators of the College, and others wishing to know more about the College’s programs and activities. The information contained herein is accurate as of the date of publication (August 2019). Springfield College reserves the right at any time, without notice, to make any changes to this catalog, including, but not limited to, changes in policies, procedures, and/or regulations; changes in rates and fees, deadlines, course offerings, descriptions, grading, and/or graduation requirements.
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