Mar 10, 2025  
2009-2010 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2009-2010 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Health Studies / Health Education Teacher Licensure Program


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Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Health Studies

(120 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Students selecting this major may complete the health education teacher licensure specialization.  The mission of Springfield College’s health studies major is to advance the quality of life in our society by providing students with the knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to plan, implement, and evaluate health programs in schools, community organizations, healthcare organizations, and worksites. The program promotes the growth and development of students in health classes by fostering decision making, critical thinking, and communication skills that lead to personal and social responsibilities.

Positions are available in the professional field for health educators in government and social agencies, public and private schools, and clinical settings such as hospitals and medical facilities (some of these positions may require preparation beyond the bachelor’s degree). Specialists in this field also serve in public health departments; in social service agencies such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and the American Lung Association; and in the allied areas of research, medicine, patient education, schools, and health maintenance organizations. With increasing attention and concern focused on the state of health and health practices in all segments of American society, the future employment opportunities for qualified health educators are increasing and expanding.

For more information about the health studies major, both teaching and non-teaching, contact the Physical Education and Health Education Department at (413) 748-3029 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

 

Download a Health Studies / Health Education Teacher Licensure Program Checksheet

II. Major Requirements


IV. Admission to the 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. [For application to the physical education licensure program, prerequisites are: PEPC 100, PHED 102, PHED 226 and PHED 227.]
  3. Earn a minimum 2.750 cumulative grade point average for all designated licensure courses. See the educator preparation handbook for a list of these courses for each licensure program. [For application to the physical education licensure program, the designated licensure courses include all courses taken with the following prefixes: EDUC, HLTH, MOSK, MOST, MSCI, PHED, PEAC, and PEPC.]
  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. [For application to the physical education licensure program, minimum grades of C or better in the following courses are required: PEPC 100, PHED 102, PHED 226, PHED 227 and BIOL 131.]
  7. Demonstrate the personal characteristics needed to become a teacher (for example, responsible, dependable, hard working, professional, committed to the teaching profession, etc.). [For application to the physical education licensure program, this standard is demonstrated by:
    1. having no more than one negative evaluation on file or having met the prescription requirements of the PEHE department’s Appraisal and Retention Committee.
    2. meeting the technical standards for the department (available from the PEHE department office).]
  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 Education 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.

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