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

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

Specialization: Health Education Teacher Licensure (leading to a Teacher of Health/Family and Consumer Science license.)

Required courses:

• EDUC 162 - Exceptional Children Credits: 3
• EDUC 234 - Curriculum, Methods, and Organization for Secondary Teachers Credits: 3
• EDUC 237 - Foundations of Multicultural Education Credits: 3
• EDUC 455 - Early Childhood Curriculum and Care Credits: 3
• ENGL 113 - College Writing I Credits: 3
• ENGL 114 - College Writing II Credits: 3
• HLTH 304 - Methods and Materials in Health and FACS:Secondary Credits: 1.5

• (a grade of ‘C’ or better is required as a prerequisite for HLTH 386 or 387)

• HLTH 308 - Methods and Materials in Health and FACS: Elementary Credits: 1.5

• (a grade of ‘C’ or better is required as a prerequisite for HLTH 386 or 387)

• HLTH 386 - Pre-Practicum in Health/Family and Consumer Science PreK-8 Credits: 2

• or

• HLTH 387 - Pre-Practicum in Health/Family and Consumer Science 5-12 Credits: 2

• (a grade of ‘B’ or better is required in HLTH 386 or 387 as a prerequisite for HLTH 484 and 485)

• HLTH 450 - Workshop in Family and Consumer Sciences Credits: 1-3

• (a grade of ‘B’ or better is required to meet program requirements)

• HLTH 484 - Practicum in Health/Family and Consumer Science-Grades PreK-8 Credits: 3-6

• (taken for 6 credits to fulfill program requirements)

• HLTH 485 - Practicum in Health/Family and Consumer Science-Grades 5-12 Credits: 3-6

• (taken for 6 credits to fulfill program requirements)

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.

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 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.
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. 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.
4. Earn a minimum 2.500 cumulative grade point average.
5. Earn minimum grades specified for designated courses.
6. 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.).
7. 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.)
8. 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.