Movement and Sports Studies / Physical Education Teacher Licensure Program

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Movement and Sports Studies

(120 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Students selecting this major seek licensure as a teacher. Springfield College has long been recognized as an undisputed leader in the fields of physical education, movement studies, and sport. Excellent faculty, modern equipment and facilities, and majors that equally emphasize theoretical and practical achievement are the hallmarks of the College’s movement and sports studies programs.

The movement and sports studies major provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific and social foundations of movement and its cultural forms of dance, sport, games, and exercise. Science is at the foundation of the major, with students taking courses in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of movement. The major offers students the opportunity to prepare for licensure as a teacher of physical education; entry-level positions in coaching; and for graduate study in movement and sports studies, sport management, allied health fields, rehabilitation, and teacher preparation.

Students seeking licensure as a teacher of physical education complete the movement and sports studies major, related physical education courses, and an extensive practicum component.

For more information about these programs, contact Dr. Stephen Coulon, chairperson of the Physical Education and Health Education Department, at (413) 748-3029, or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Download a Movement and Sports Studies / Physical Education Teacher Licensure 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 (40 - 46 credits) section or the Sequencing Guide for this major.

II. Major Requirements

A. Core Requirements (46 credits)

AEXS 313 - Physiology of Exercise Credits: 3
AEXS 319 - Kinesiology/Biomechanics Credits: 3
BIOL 130 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts I Credits: 3
BIOL 132 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts I Lab Credits: 1
BIOL 131 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts II Credits: 3
(a grade of ‘C’ or better is required)
BIOL 133 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts II Lab Credits: 1
(a grade of ‘C’ or better is required)
EDUC 237 - Foundations of Multicultural Education Credits: 3
HLTH 101 - Physical Health and Wellness Credits: 3
Select a MATH course from one of the following:
MATH 115 - College Algebra Credits: 3
or
MATH 125 - Precalculus Mathematics Credits: 3
or
MATH 131 - Introduction to Calculus with Applications Credits: 3
or
MATH 140 - Calculus I Credits: 3
MOSK 101 - Outdoor Pursuits Credits: 1
MOSK 140 - Skill Themes and Movement Concepts Credits: .5
MOST 105 - Lifespan Motor Development Credits: 3
MOST 224 - Motor Learning and Skill Acquisition Credits: 3
MOST 328 - Psychology of Sport Credits: 3
MOST 429 - Heritage and Values of Movement and Sport Credits: 3
PEPC 100 - Fitness for Life Credits: 1
PEPC 280 - Outdoor Adventure Credits: .5
PHYS 205 - Physics for Movement Science Credits: 3
PHYS 206 - Sports Physics Laboratory Credits: .5
MOST 206 - Physics for Movement Science Laboratory Credits: .5
Select one credit from the following:
PEAC 205 - Lifeguard Training (ARC) Credits: 1
or
PEAC 206 - Water Safety Instructor Credits: 1
or
PEAC 104 - Swimming Credits: .5
and
PEAC 115 - Fitness Swimming Credits: .5
and select a Coaching and Officiating course from the following:
PHED 311 - Coaching and Officiating Baseball Credits: 3
PHED 314 - Coaching and Officiating Football Credits: 3
PHED 317 - Coaching and Officiating Basketball Credits: 3
PHED 319 - Coaching and Officiating Softball Credits: 3
PHED 321 - Coaching and Officiating Track and Field Credits: 3
PHED 322 - Coaching and Officiating Volleyball Credits: 3
PHED 323 - Coaching and Officiating Wrestling Credits: 3
PHED 326 - Coaching Swimming and Diving Credits: 3
PHED 337 - Coaching and Officiating Field Hockey Credits: 3
PHED 338 - Coaching and Officiating Soccer Credits: 3
or
PHED 315 - Coaching Men’s Gymnastics Credits: 2
and
PHED 336 - Officiating Athletic Events Credits: 1
or
PHED 325 - Coaching Women’s Gymnastics Credits: 2
and

PHED 336 - Officiating Athletic Events 1 credit

B. Additional Skill Requirements (5 credits)

PEPC 180 - Educational Gymnastics Credits: .5
PEPC 240 - Target Games Credits: .5
PEPC 244 - Basketball Credits: .5
PEPC 250 - Territorial/Invasion Games Credits: 1
PEPC 258 - Volleyball Credits: .5
PEPC 260 - Striking Games Credits: .5
PEPC 263 - Track and Field I Credits: .5
PEPC 270 - Racket Sports: Net and Wall Games Credits: 1

C. Specific Fieldwork/Practicum Requirements

Complete 12 to 16 credits from the following:

PHED 484 - Practicum and Seminar in Elementary Physical Education Credits: 4-12
PHED 485 - Practicum and Seminar in Secondary Physical Education Credits: 4-12

III. Teacher Licensure Requirements

DANC 102 - Introduction to Dance Credits: 3
EDUC 328 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3
ENGL 113 - College Writing I Credits: 3
ENGL 114 - College Writing II Credits: 3
MOST 410 - Assessment in Movement and Sport Credits: 3
PHED 102 - Instructional Strategies in Physical Education Credits: 3
PHED 236 - Elementary Physical Education Methods and Pre-Practicum: Grades K-2 Credits: 1.5
(a grade of ‘C’ or better is required to meet program requirements)
PHED 237 - Elementary Physical Education Methods and Pre-Practicum: Grades 3-5 Credits: 1.5
(a grade of ‘C’ or better is required to meet program requirements)
PHED 238 - Secondary Physical Education Methods and Pre-Practicum: Grades 6-8 Credits: 1.5
(a grade of ‘C’ or better is required to meet program requirements)
PHED 239 - Secondary Physical Education Methods and Pre-Practicum, Grades 9-12 Credits: 1.5
(a grade of ‘C’ or better is required to meet program requirements)
PHED 308 - Adapted Physical Education Programming Credits: 3
(a grade of ‘C’ or better is required to meet program requirements)

IV. Electives (to complete a minimum of 120 credits)

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 formally 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 or dual health & 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 (3.250 MOST-PHE) 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. [Note: In all programs except physical education and health, the grade point average for the student’s major is calculated separately from the grade point average for professional preparation courses.]
Earn a minimum 2.500 (3.250 MOST-PHE) cumulative grade point average and 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).
Students must be admitted to a specific program prior to enrolling in their final pre-practicum.

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 and must maintain cumulative GPS’s in order to successfully complete the program.

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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