American Studies / Education / Elementary and/or Special Education Teacher Licensure Program

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

(123 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Students selecting this major may also major in Education and seek licensure as an elementary and/or special education teacher. There are two primary goals of the American Studies major. The first goal is to help students acquire an understanding of American thought, institutions, and culture, utilizing a historical and cultural approach. A knowledge of history, society, politics, and culture will enable students to better comprehend the world they live in, the problems of their society, and their own lives. This core of historical and cultural understanding will help students to function as educated and informed citizens in a democratic society. In addition, students will learn about the diversity and “meaning” of the American experience. A knowledge of the ethnic and cultural diversity which has created the present will help students to communicate and cooperate in a multicultural society.

The second goal of this major is to assist the student in developing his or her critical thinking skills: analysis, problem-solving, research, writing, and evaluation. The major not only emphasizes content and information, but is designed to foster the transferable skills and attitudes which will increase the ability of American studies majors to find employment, no matter what their occupational goals. The ability to make decisions, to solve problems, and to hold informed opinions are characteristics desired by employers everywhere. For more information about the American Studies major, contact Professor Thomas Carty of the Social Sciences Department, at (413) 748-3254 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Download an American Studies / Education / Elementary and/or Special Education Teacher Licensure Program Sequencing Guide

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

I. General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)

The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being. For specific requirements, see the General Education Program section or the Sequencing Guide for this major.

II. Major Requirements (American Studies)

A. Core Requirements

ARTS 219 - American Art 1700-1900 Credits: 3
ENGL 241 - American Literature I Credits: 3
or
ENGL 242 - American Literature II Credits: 3
HIST 105 - Colonial America to the Civil War Credits: 3
HIST 106 - The Civil War to Modern America Credits: 3
POSC 110 - Introduction to American Government Credits: 3
RELI 104 - Religion in America Credits: 3

In addition, select one of the following Literature of Diversity courses:

ENGL 251 - African American Literature I Credits: 3
ENGL 252 - African American Literature II Credits: 3
ENGL 272 - Native American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 274 - Asian American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 275 - Women and Literature Credits: 3

B. Concentration Requirements

Select one of the following concentrations:

1. U.S. History and the Political Process

Select five of the following courses (at least three must be at the 300 or 400 level):

HIST 210 - African American History Credits: 3
HIST 360 - Early American Thought and Culture Credits: 3
HIST 361 - Modern American Thought and Culture Credits: 3
HIST 365 - Environmental History of America Credits: 3
HIST 388 - Studies in History Credits: 3-4
(if the focus is American history)
HIST 481 - Recent American History Credits: 3
HIST 482 - History Seminar Credits: 3-4
POSC 330 - State and Local Politics Credits: 3
POSC 340 - Public Policy Credits: 3
POSC 360 - Social Movement Organizations Credits: 3
POSC 488 - Special Topics in Political Science Credits: 3-4
(if the focus is American social issues)

2. American Social Issues

SOCI 101 - Introduction to Contemporary Society Credits: 3
In addition, select four of the following courses (at least three courses must be at the 300- or 400- level):
CRIM 325 - Juvenile Delinquency Credits: 3
or
YDEV 240 - Youth in Society Credits: 3
CRIM 370 - Violence and Victimization Credits: 3
MUSC 332 - Music as a Form of Social Protest Credits: 3
POSC 320 - Civil Liberties Credits: 3
POSC 330 - State and Local Politics Credits: 3
POSC 340 - Public Policy Credits: 3
POSC 360 - Social Movement Organizations Credits: 3
SOCI 210 - Social Problems Credits: 3
SOCI 220 - Families in Society Credits: 3
SOCI 312 - Women and Society Credits: 3
SOCI 322 - Racial and Ethnic Relations Credits: 3
SOCI 347 - Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare Credits: 3
SOCI 375 - Cities and Communities Credits: 3
SOCI 410 - Poverty and Wealth: Class in Society Credits: 3
SOCI 420 - Media and Society Credits: 3
SOCI 430 - Sociology of Health and Health Care Credits: 3

3. American Literature

Select five of the following courses, at least three must be at the 300 or 400 level (if not already used as a core requirement):

ENGL 270 - Nature and Environmental Writers Credits: 3
ENGL 272 - Native American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 274 - Asian American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 275 - Women and Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 225 - American Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 246 - American Short Story Credits: 3
ENGL 349 - Modern American Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 350 - Modern American Novel Credits: 3
ENGL 352 - American Realism and Naturalism Credits: 3
ENGL 353 - American Romanticism Credits: 3
ENGL 388 - Special Topics in Narrative Film Credits: 3
(if the focus is American literature)
ENGL 428 - Modern Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 459 - The Contemporary Novel Credits: 3
ENGL 482 - Seminar Credits: 3
(if the focus is American literature)
ENGL 488 - Special Topics Credits: 3
(if the focus is American literature)

III. Elective Courses (to complete a minimum of 120 credits)

Completion of the following requirements ensures successful completion of the Education major with a specialization in Elementary and/or Special Education Teacher Licensure.

Required courses:

A. Arts & Sciences

ENGL 113 - College Writing I Credits: 3
ENGL 114 - College Writing II Credits: 3
ENGL 209 - World Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 220 - Grammar and Usage Credits: 3
HIST 103 - World History Credits: 3
HLTH 100 - Wellness: A Way of Life Credits: 3
MATH 101 - Foundations of Mathematics Credits: 3
MATH 105 - Survey of Algebra and Geometry Credits: 3
MATH 201 - Contemporary Applications of Mathematics Credits: 3
PHSC 105 - Physical Science and the Environment Credits: 4
or
PHSC 110 - Earth Science Credits: 4
PSYC 250 - Childhood and Adolescent Development Credits: 3
SCIE 144 - Best Practices in Learning and Teaching Science Credits: 4

B. Elementary and/or Special Education Teacher Licensure

EDUC 101 - Schools, Society, and Diverse Learners Credits: 3
EDUC 162 - Exceptional Children Credits: 3
EDUC 232 - Teaching Elementary Mathematics through the MA Curriculum Frameworks Credits: 3
EDUC 237 - Foundations of Multicultural Education Credits: 3
EDUC 238 - Pre-Practicum in Elementary/Special Education/Early Childhood Education Fieldwork and Seminar Credits: 1
EDUC 327 - Methods of Teaching Reading and Language Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms Credits: 4.5
EDUC 329 - Sheltered English Instruction across the Curriculum Credits: 3
EDUC 330 - PrePracticum in Literacy Instruction for PreK-6 Credits: 1.5
EDUC 342 - Curriculum and Assessment in Special Education Credits: 3
EDUC 362 - Instructional Strategies to support Exceptional Learners Credits: 3
EDUC 463 - Fieldwork Seminar Credits: 2
EDUC 461 - Teaching Practicum for Teachers of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PK-8) Credits: 5-10
(Note: Must be taken for 10 credits if pursuing Special Education licensure only)
EDUC 468 - Elementary Practicum Credits: 5-10
(Note: Must be taken for 10 credits if pursuing Elementary Education licensure only)
- Students pursuing dual licensure in Elementary and/or Special Education, EDUC 461 and EDUC 468 must be taken for 5 credits each.

Admission to Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Programs

Once admitted to Springfield College, the student must meet the following requirements in order to become an official candidate for licensure and get admitted to a specific teacher preparation program. This typically occurs prior to the student’s junior year or the equivalent for transfer students.

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 and/or special education; biology, English, history or mathematics for secondary; movement and sports studies for physical education; art/studio art concentration or art therapy for art education; and health studies for health education.
Complete, or be in the process of completing, all prerequisites identified for the specific program.
Earn a minimum 2.750 cumulative grade point average for all designated licensure courses. This includes all subject matter knowledge coursework as well as teacher preparation professional coursework. See educator preparation homepage on our website for specific lists of ‘Prerequisites and Program Requirements’ for each licensure program.
Earn a minimum 2.500 cumulative grade point average.
Earn minimum grades specified for designated courses.
Demonstrate the personal characteristics/professional behaviors needed to become a quality teacher (i.e., responsible, dependable, hard working, professional, committed to the teaching profession, etc.).
Be recommended for admission into a teacher licensure program by the appropriate major department and the Education Department. (For students in health and physical education, the only recommendation required is from the Physical Education and Health Education Department.)
Receive a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Tests (reading and writing) of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

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 fill out the application for admission. Applications are available from advisors, departments, or the Educator Preparation Office.

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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