II. Major Requirements

See the Psychology / Education / Early Childhood Teacher Licensure requirements.

Admission to Teacher Preparation Program

Once admitted to Springfield College, the student must meet the following requirements for admission to undergraduate teacher preparation programs:

1. Follow the appropriate course of study based on the field the student is interested in teaching. This includes majoring in an acceptable major for that licensure area and taking the required teacher preparation courses. This enables the student to fulfill the prerequisites needed to gain admission to a teacher preparation program. Examples of acceptable majors and licensure areas are psychology for early childhood; American Studies, English, or mathematics and computer technology for elementary; biology, English, history or mathematics for secondary; movement and sports studies for physical education; art/studio art concentration or art therapy for art; and health studies.
2. Complete, or be in the process of completing, all prerequisites identified for the specific program.
3. Earn a minimum 2.750 cumulative grade point average for all designated licensure courses. See teacher preparation handbook for a list of these courses for each licensure program.
4. Earn a minimum 2.500 cumulative grade point average.
5. Receive a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Tests (reading and writing) of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).
6. Earn minimum grades specified for designated courses.
7. Demonstrate the personal characteristics needed to become a teacher (for example, responsible, dependable, hard working, professional, committed to the teaching profession, etc.).
8. Be recommended for admission into a teacher licensure program by the appropriate major department and the Education Department. (For students in physical education and health, the only recommendation required is from the Physical Education and Health Eductaion Department.)

Note: Students who have been admitted to a teacher preparation program must maintain all the admissions requirements listed above through the semester preceding the practicum (student teaching) in order to be eligible to begin the practicum experience.

Once all admissions requirements have been met, the student must:

1. Fill out the top portion of the application for admission into a teacher licensure program. Applications are available from advisors, departments, or the Educator Preparation Office. Bring the application to the appropriate department(s) for recommendation(s)/signature(s) and attachment of required documents.
2. Completed applications must be returned to the Office of Educator Preparation & Licensure (Administration Building, room 209). Applications are complete once they have all necessary signatures and have required documentation attached. This typically occurs prior to the student’ s junior year (or the equivalent for transfer students).

The Director of Educator Preparation & Licensure will review the completed application and notify the candidate of the admission decision. If a student wishes to appeal this decision, a written appeal must be submitted to the Educator Preparation Council.