CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

I. General Education Program (41-44 s.h. in addition to courses taken for the major)

To integrate the humanics philosophy into their lives, Springfield College students engage in the search for knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of values through a variety of courses in the sciences and humanities. In addition to those General Education courses, students must complete 6 s.h. of Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) courses. For more information see the General Education Program and WAC courses. In the major requirements listed below, selected courses which fulfill General Education categories are marked with an asterisk; selected WAC courses are marked with a “W”.

II. Core Requirements (45 s.h.)

III. Required Concentrations (12 - 15 s.h.)

IV. Electives (26-29 s.h. to complete 130)

Depending on their plans for career or graduate school, students are encouraged to select from a variety of electives in biology, chemistry, health, introductory occupational therapy, physics, psychology, rehabilitation, and sociology. Prerequisite requirements for graduate study or certificate programs in specific areas of medical or social rehabilitation services may vary from school to school. Students should determine the required prerequisites for a particular program or interest as soon as possible so that the prerequisites can be included in the undergraduate program wherever possible.

V. Sample Program By Year

The program listed below is a sample—courses are not guaranteed to be offered during the semester or year listed. It is the student’s responsibility to insure that all requirements are met on a timely basis and that needed prerequisite courses are completed before taking upper-level requirements; therefore, they should consult carefully with an advisor when planning their program. Students must average a minimum of 16.25 credits a semester to complete this program in four years.

In addition to the courses identified below, the following General Education categories need to be fulfilled for this major: Natural Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, Health, Physical Education, Literature, Second Language/Culture, Visual and Performing Arts, History, Social Science, Philosophy, and Religion. 14–26 s.h. of electives will be required to complete 130 credits.

Courses marked with an * fulfill or partially fulfill a General Education category. Those marked with a w may fulfill a WAC requirement, depending on the year taken.

VI. Programs Leading to Graduate Degrees

Dual Degree Program
Incoming first-year and transfer students who are motivated and highly qualified may apply to the dual degree program, an accelerated five-year program which offers students a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation and disability studies and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and services. Dual degree students begin their undergraduate internship (RHDS 386) in the summer following their third year. Following the completion of that internship, dual degree students are reviewed to insure that they meet all standards required to begin the graduate program.

Academic standards include:

• 3.000 GPA in General Education courses.
• 3.300 GPA in all undergraduate RHDS courses, exclusive of clinical experiences.
• 3.300 GPA in all RHDS clinical experiences.
• 3.300 GPA overall.

Qualified students then begin the graduate program in their fourth year, while also completing any undergraduate requirements. Graduate coursework and practicums continue through the summer, the fifth year, and the following summer. The program requires a minimum total of 48 semester hours of acceptable graduate credit. A minimum of 15 semester hours of graduate-level practicum and internship is required to be eligible for the National Certification Examination to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

Advanced Senior Program
While the dual degree program is an opportunity for incoming students to begin an accelerated program leading to a master’s degree, some students discover later that they have an interest in pursuing an advanced degree in rehabilitation. Those students may apply in their junior year for the advanced senior program. If accepted, they can begin their master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and services during their senior year. Eligibility requirements include the following:

1. Students must attain senior status or the completion of a minimum of 90 semester hours of acceptable undergraduate work with either a rehabilitation major or minor or at least 18 s.h. of course work in the following areas: principles of rehabilitation, career information, medical information, psychosocial aspects of disability, interviewing, and counseling.
2. Total undergraduate cumulative grade point average and the cumulative grade point average in the major, based on a minimum of 106 semester hours of acceptable course work, should be 3.000 or better.
3. Students should demonstrate both personal and professional potential for future success and performance measured by factors such as scholarly work, personal and professional references, cocurricular and leadership activities, paid employment, volunteer work, and fieldwork experiences.

Qualified students then begin the graduate program in their fourth year, while also completing any undergraduate requirements. Graduate coursework and practicums continue through the summer, the fifth year, and the following summer. The program requires a minimum total of 48 semester hours of acceptable graduate credit. A minimum of 15 semester hours of graduate-level practicum and internship is required to be eligible for the National Certification Examination to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy
An advanced senior program leading to a master’s degree in occupational therapy is also available. For more information, refer to the occupational therapy program in this catalog.